Listen, there is really nothing I can say about Tuesday’s 86-37 win over Pittsburgh that you won’t be able to find in the coroner’s report.
The names change, the numbers are a little different, the pace ebbs and flows quicker or faster, and more times than not over the last 19 years the math adds up to 86-37 – or something like that.
What did UConn get out of this game, following its loss to St. John’s on Saturday? Exercise.
What is worth mentioning is UConn’s 61.4 shooting percentage.
Geno took a nice shot at Notre Dame, which beat Pitt 120-44 early this season, by essentially saying the Huskies didn’t come here to pillage and burn down a defenseless village by firing 3-point shots from as far away as Heinz Field.
“I knew when I went through the line, and when I hugged him I told him I owed him a thank-you note,” Pitt coach Agnus Berenato said. “They played hard. Geno Auriemma does right by the student-athlete and always tells you to remember where you came from. His players are always going to play hard because they are the best. If they did not play hard you would see him flip. I learned that about him my first two years. You have to expect your players to play hard but you also have to work on certain situations even if you are up in a game. Geno is the ultimate educator.”
And Geno also reprised a sermon he first delivered after the loss to Notre Dame this season, the one about how critics seem so willing to cast disparaging adjectives upon his program after a loss – instead of giving credit where credit is due.
“Welcome to our world,” Geno said. “Does it get tiring [listening to criticism and second-guessing]? Yes, every day. We live in a society that demands someone be blamed when you lose. It can’t be as simple as, “Well, we lost a game and St. John’s played really well.
“No, someone has to blamed. Tiffany Hayes has to be blamed for not getting out in time to contest the last shot. Stefanie Dolson [needs to be blamed] for not staying out of foul trouble. Or you blame some kid for turning the ball over or me for not calling a timeout when I should have or not doing something else I should have done.
“Let’s place the blame for losing. There is no congratulating the other team because they played great and their kid made a tough shot [to win it]. We live in a society that says if you can’t blame someone, there is no fun to [the process].
“You know why? When you turn your laptop on or hit a key something happens. And when you win as many games as we have, that’s what we are supposed to do – turn them on in the morning, hit the right buttons and win. That’s the world we live in.”
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11 Responses to Cause Of Death: UConn
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What is MORE worth mentioning, John, is that the bench outscored the starters.
I did not have the opportunity to see the game on TV, but I also noticed that the BIGS that normally sit the bench to keep it warm, got some quality minutes instead of 2 or 3 minutes here or there or every other game.
Faris took 5 shots – stop the presses – and she got 10 rebounds, 8 points, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks – how do you say SUPERSTAR? I spell superstar F-A-R-I-S…
KML had a good scoring night because she shot outside AND inside as well as a few charity shots at the line.
Also, Johnson, who seldom gets any minutes – played 7 minutes, yet scored 8 points – am I reading right?
Also, all the bench got minutes and THEY ALL SCORED.
What I do not know about the game:
Did Stokes and Dolson get any minutes TOGETHER?
Either way, I believe because the bench got to be human and got some playing time, the team did well collectively.
Does UCONN give a gameball after games? If not, they should start the tradition again and give the first one to Faris.
Also, maybe there should be a ball given to the Bench Player of the game.
Kevin, I like your idea about the game balls. I hope they take you up on it.
We can always count on Geno to be priceless! How were we, [in CT] so lucky to have him come here? He is always right, – and entertaining in expressing himself.
This was a well needed game away from the possession driven tight games. Faris was incrediable. She has so much desire it’s a pleasure to watch her.
The bench was great. This game provided a boost to everybody.
i think that the uconn fans are spoiled because we are all use to the woman always winning but we can’t always win do you all remember when we lost to villanova in the big east tournament and we went on the win the national title a lose is a good thing would you rather that notre dame broke our winning streak i am glad that saint johns did because now they can focus on notre dame
its going to be a good game
that was a great win last night I really enjoyed it and dolson really stepped it up last night I knew that she would I can not wait until next monday night’s game because I am going to be there.
‘Cause of Death’ headline? What’s up with that?
Ditto Marty! Let’s get over the hyperbole and save DEATH for something that’s really BAD!! Like all the horrible stuff in the world not Women’s Hoops!
Watched the SJ/WVA game while “gametracking” UConn Women, same as I did during the SJU game. But SJU played WVa the same as they played UConn. Doubled and trippled the bigs. What makes the good is their speed. Smith (game winning shot) made 3 3′s in a row. SJU has played well all year, but too many missed it.
179th ranked Pitt–shame. I think, Stokes, Dolson, Johnson playing with Doty and Hayes would be a great line up against SJ next meeting, or GTown or LVille. Maybe even ND. Rebounding against SJU and layups, and caressing the ball (no turnover).. They’ve killed UC in their 3 losses. UC is doing better at the line.
I so admire & respect Geno! I’m so grateful that he named the “blame” game. As others have said, we are so fortunate here in CT to see, not only great team basketball, but good attitudes as well.
Geno seems to aggravate certain UCONN “fans,” however I have always found his comments to be accurate and from the heart.” Both the St. John and Pittsburgh coaches had nothing but good things to say about him because he does truly care about the athletes and the game. Indeed we are fortunate that he came to UCONN and built a dynasty by recruiting the best players and then, along with a superior coaching staff, helping them to achieve their goals as athletes. I really resent those pundits who criticize him whenever UCONN loses a game or two. Lets give the man the credit that he’s due.