UConn has a lot of talent, but their schedule isn't going to help them to be the best. The game against NC should be interesting. My gut feeling is they'll win that one easily just because it is one they are especially hyped for. ACC 'ers have every right to feel smug about their league this year though and it will be of benefit to them come tournament time. Calhoun is an effective, emotional coach and he may be able to orchestrate another championship, but a weak Big East doesn't help.

Woo Hoo! A fellow New Englander and UConn follower!

I tend to keep a closer eye on the UConn Women, but both teams seem pretty sharp to me in spite of all the hype. I can't see, the women, having any trouble going all the way. It would be nice, though, if they didn't steam-roller their way to another championship. I'd like to see some closer games.

Keith

i'm disappointed in the scheduling of the uconn men's team again this year. buncha' cupcakes sprinkled with a toughie or two.

i think taurasi's the best women's college player i've ever seen...but still the lady longhorns were THAT close to takin' the huskies out in the semis last year, and they too have just about everyone back...

I was going to mention that Texas game, too- that was probably the most gripping women's game I've ever seen. You have to like their chances, but there are definitely a few teams that could knock them out.

The women came up short- hope my mom's heart is still ticking. It was surprising to see how poorly they handled the pressure, but I expect they'll use it well as motivation for improvement. I thought Geno did a lousy job- he had the chance to use his bench and rest people more- they might have held up better at the end if they weren't so tired. Killing clock always opens the door for staleness and diminished positive adrenaline to wreak havoc. Isn't one of their freshmen a decent ball handler (somebody I saw in the NCS game was)? Where was she? Poor game overall by usual Taurasi standards.

I guess this is another venue for me talking to myself! I was in CT and able to watch the men's game against Rice on Friday. I can't say they looked like national champions or something remotely close, but Villanvenue (sp?) had an impressive offensive game and as a team they are more solid in that department than they've been since Kalid and Rip. Unfortunately this does not include the free throw shooting which is abysmal. For all the talk about how they've turned up the defensive heat, I was unimpressed with what they showed against this slightly improved competition.

Hey WChip,

You are talking but we are listening. UConn women must have played a hell of a game for 36 minutes or so, the Duke women are very very good, to be down 20. I wished I had seen it, the game came on right after the UNC-KY game and I was too down to watch. UNC just collapsed, they could not hit a field goal the last few minutes to save their lives.

Oh well, UConn can start another streak. They are definitely on track for another championship. The men should learn from the women and play a harder schedule, the Big East is just not strong enough top to bottom to get them ready for the tournament. Of course you guys are getting rid of a couple of teams next year, so that the ACC will be weaker and the Big East stronger in bball.

I hear ya, dude. Just haven't been on-line.

The loss Saturday was a shocker, but I must say, it was getting boring watching the gals bull-doze their way to another national championship. I'm, sort of, glad they lost. After the first half, I almost turned the game off. I was happy to, finally, see a game. UConn seems to win simply based on stamina. Eventually the other team just can't keep up. Well, Duke hung in there! Nice going Blue Devils!

UConn women actually play a weak schedule out of conference. They played Duke but before that I dont believe they play a top 25 team. They will play Tennessee later in the year. The Big East for women is a very tough conference...VT, BC, and Miami are all ranked. Rutgers should be ranked and is probably 2nd behind UConn but they have lost to 3 ranked teams already but they also have beaten 2.

As for the men UConn play a really weak out of conference schedule. The BE is down this year although they are capable of some upsets. Providence was robbed last night against Texas. Anyway I will be at the RAC tonight hoping Rutgers can pull of some magic like they did 2 years ago and knock UConn of their perch tonight.

I was very surprised that UConn's schedule is so light this season. I wish that UConn had played a tougher out of conference schedule, and I think that it may come back to bite them later. If you look at the schedules played by Duke, Tennessee (especially Tennessee) and Texas Tech, they all play much harder schedules.

That's where I have to respect Pat Summitt -- Tennessee plays in a VERY tough conference, that routinely sends 8 out of its 12 teams to the NCAA tournament, and still plays most of the Top 25 in its out of conference schedule. And wins 90% of their games. And in a fight between Pat and Geno, sorry, but my money's on Pat -- she's just too tough for him wink

Look at Rutgers schedule and you can see why with a 7-4 record their rpi is #3. They lost to Texas Tech, LSU, and Tennessee all ranked and all on the road and also lost to a decent Clemson squad. They beat Old Dominion, and two top 25 teams in Ohio St and TCU. All 3 of those teams are NCAA teams. C Vivian Stringer is not one to shy away from a tough schedule. UConn should foloow suit.

i think texas is playing a tougher schedule than most (including texas tech). we've already beaten duke, tennessee and georgia and of course the big 12 will be grueling. really i think we should be number one, the loss to penn st. notwithstanding.

Great game for Rutgers last night, UConn could not make a foul shot and Rutgers took them to the limit. It is interesting that the Outsports discussion board has changed the way I watch basketball games, normally I wouldn't have cared about the outcome, but last night I knew that Scarlet Knight was in the house screaming for Rutgers to pull the upset, so I was hoping as well. I bet it was a wild scene, but ya gotta be able to foul in the last few seconds to have a chance. They had a good double-team but shouldn't have waited for a pass, try to steal or get the foul. Anyway, thanks to Scarlet Knight for making the game interesting.

BTW, ESPN is learning, they had the LSU-Ark game scheduled in my viewing area but kept going back to the RU-UConn game because it was so exciting. We get spoiled, the major networks would not have done that.

The atmosphere was incredible last night...if only we could have pulled the upset...an extra foul shot here or an extra rebound there and RU would have won it. I think if they played an extra minute the crowd alone would have willed RU to win. The last 7 seconds didnt go as planned. RU went for the trap but the players didnt foul and UConn played keep away. With the way Uconn was hitting foul shots 13-27...RU would have had a chance to come down and hit a shot to tie or win. RU had a lot of freshmen and sophmores on the court. Quincy Douby is a deadly sharpshooter and Marquis Webb only a freshmen ran the point which isnt his natural position and ended up fouling out Ben Gordon go figure.

Thanks BBallrob for pulling for me. I appreciate it. Given Rutgers' limited success in recent years a win last night would have been huge even with the loss though I think its really something to build on.

Today's OK game should be interesting for both teams. Hopefully the UConn I was hoping to see this season will show up! Makes for a full afternoon/evening of sports watching for me with the Pats on this evening- I guess I should get off here and get something done that doesn't involve sitting on my butt beforehand!

Make that tomorrow's game! I was in a panic thinking local CBS was doing something else, probably Patriot related, and am glad to see I just misread the UCONN schedule. Go Pats!

UConn is putting a dismantling on OU, although I think the Sooners may have needed this to happen to them, even though they are unbeaten, they know that they need a lot more work to be up with the elites.

OK's inexperience showed- even their coach implied they weren't a number 6 team. It's hard to be disappointed with UC's performance. It will be interesting to see how they do against a more savy and talented NC team.

Good game today, just the wrong result. NC was impressive at the end of first half- seems like Calhoun should have used some time outs. Good comeback- Gordon's decision making left something to be desired and Vill... is a great shot creator, but sometimes they just aren't there. Now they just have the Big East schedule which probably won't present them with enough of the UNC type talent they need to face to be truly ready to win it all- not to say that they'll go through the BE unscathed either. Good to see the women bounced back against a good BC team!