Lets all get behind our Lady Vols

[teacherdean]

All this knocking Holly and the team, why don't we just support and let this thing play its course. We do have a winning team and a great RPI, that is reality. I know I was a Naysayer and wanted Holly thrown to the wolves. Lets pull back out fangs and see what the future has for this year's team and face one reality, as long as the Lady Vols continue to put up numbers like they are putting up, Holly is here to stay. So we just need to sat back and allow history to play itself out.

 

[ivyleague]

IVYLEAGUE- I think your name pretty much sums you up. You like to use disparaging comments like "a-hole" and "moderately intellectual" to compensate for your own self worthlessness. I think if you started a poll on the correct spelling of "Holly or Hollie" Warlick," you would get a 50/50 vote. Obviously, she hasn't done much in her 3 years to garner very much attention to our women's basketball program thus the confusion on the spelling. And boy did that upset you. I would challenge you to a MENSA puzzle anytime, any day. You are barking up the wrong tree. It is always those who think they are so smart that turn out to be dumb as a box of rocks. Tread lightly IVY.

Internet tough guy, I see. I bet you've asked your mommy to sew you a cape and everything.

Go find a new hobby. You aren't fit to tie my shoes (or, if I had to wager a guess, your own).

 

[ivyleague]

You're using Stanford's win over UConn in the second game of the season as an example of parity? So if UConn runs the table and goes 39-1 on their way to another national championship that is parity while if they had beaten Stanford and went 40-0 that wouldn't be parity ?
Where the top recruits go isn't necessarily a sign of parity. How those teams perform would be.
Unranked teams have always beaten top 20 teams on occasion. You would have to provide a statistical analysis showing this is a trend rather than anecdotal evidence for it to be convincing.
2 years ago UConn played in the Big East with ND and Louisville. How did that go ? They also just beat SCe, the second ranked team in the country, by 25 points.
That's parity ?
I found this quote the most intriguing. "That's why you're not going to see a return of the "glory days" that you so want." Why not ? If we have dominated WCBB in the past and UConn is dominating now, why can't we return to a position of domination ? UConn has proven that it is possible to still be dominate even in this so called "era of parity". So what is preventing us from being the dominate team ?

UConn dominates in large part because it plays in a weak conference. It is far easier to keep an unblemished (or nearly unblemished) record when the majority of your schedule is comprised of mid-major teams that are pretty abysmal. If UConn had to battle game-in and game-out in the SEC, ACC, or Pac-12, I'm not sure their record would be quite what it is now.

You don't have to agree with me about the parity issue. It's really neither here nor there to me. I do know that in 2015, overall competition in the women's game is tougher and there are far more teams that consistently perform at a high level in the sport, which makes it relatively more difficult for elite teams to completely dominate the sport. (And yes, I know UConn dominates, but it dominates by playing in a mid-major conference where their next best competition probably isn't as good as he lower tier competition in the SEC.) Regardless of what you think about parity in the sport, or how you define it, the women's game has changed. There are many more teams today that can give even the best programs a run for their money on a consistent basis and that compete with the top programs for highly ranked recruits; to me, that is what parity is all about.

 

[governmentmule]

there is a lot more parity in womens basketball,and your right,UConn would suffer in a better conference,big time

 

[ivyleague]

there is a lot more parity in womens basketball,and your right,UConn would suffer in a better conference,big time

There's no doubt. No matter their conference, UConn would be a team to be reckoned with. However, it would be far more difficult for them to dominate as they do if they faced better in-conference competition. They do play some tough out-of-conference games (one of which they lost this year), but their in-conference schedule is beyond tepid. If Tennessee played in the Atlantic Sun Conference, I think you would see something very similar. No team that plays in a solid conference dominates the game anymore. The last time UConn had fairly strong in-conference competition, it wasn't as dominant, either.

 

[volnationnj]

UConn dominates in large part because it plays in a weak conference. It is far easier to keep an unblemished (or nearly unblemished) record when the majority of your schedule is comprised of mid-major teams that are pretty abysmal. If UConn had to battle game-in and game-out in the SEC, ACC, or Pac-12, I'm not sure their record would be quite what it is now.

You don't have to agree with me about the parity issue. It's really neither here nor there to me. I do know that in 2015, overall competition in the women's game is tougher and there are far more teams that consistently perform at a high level in the sport, which makes it relatively more difficult for elite teams to completely dominate the sport. (And yes, I know UConn dominates, but it dominates by playing in a mid-major conference where their next best competition probably isn't as good as he lower tier competition in the SEC.) Regardless of what you think about parity in the sport, or how you define it, the women's game has changed. There are many more teams today that can give even the best programs a run for their money on a consistent basis and that compete with the top programs for highly ranked recruits; to me, that is what parity is all about.

I agree that the overall level of play has improved over the years in WCBB but that hasn't prevented a few teams from dominating. Their level of play has also risen.
I also agree that it's easier to "keep and unblemished or nearly unblemished record" when playing in a weaker conference. But easier is a comparative term. It doesn't mean that they still wouldn't finish with an unblemished or nearly unblemished record. You even agree with this with your wonderful equivocation " If UConn had to battle game-in and game-out in the SEC, ACC, or Pac-12, I'm not sure their record would be quite what it is now."

Then there's this " I know UConn dominates, but it dominates by playing in a mid-major conference where their next best competition probably isn't as good as he lower tier competition in the SEC."
UConn doesn't dominate because of their weak conference but in spite of it. Though it is certainly weaker than any of the P5 conferences. To think they dominate because of their weak conference would be to deny their success against top ranked teams. In the 2013-14 season, UConn was 15-0 against top 25 teams. This year they are 4-1 against top 25 teams including wins against the current #2 and #4 ranked teams.
So over the last 2 seasons, UConn is a combined 19-1 against top 25 teams. How could you describe that as anything but dominating ?

 

[volnationnj]

there is a lot more parity in womens basketball,and your right,UConn would suffer in a better conference,big time

I'm curious. Sagarin has the Big Ten as the highest rated conference with the ACC ranked second. What do you think UConn's record would be if they played in either of those conferences ?

 

[jkleno]

There's no doubt. No matter their conference, UConn would be a team to be reckoned with. However, it would be far more difficult for them to dominate as they do if they faced better in-conference competition. They do play some tough out-of-conference games (one of which they lost this year), but their in-conference schedule is beyond tepid. If Tennessee played in the Atlantic Sun Conference, I think you would see something very similar. No team that plays in a solid conference dominates the game anymore. The last time UConn had fairly strong in-conference competition, it wasn't as dominant, either.

That again shows your stupidity. Who cares what conference you are in when you have won 4 of the last 6 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Sorry 'Lil Ivy, Geno plays for NC's, not CONFERENCE championships. You are so delusional and dumb-witted.

 

[governmentmule]

to hell with Geno this is a Tennessee Board

 

[ivyleague]

I agree that the overall level of play has improved over the years in WCBB but that hasn't prevented a few teams from dominating. Their level of play has also risen.
I also agree that it's easier to "keep and unblemished or nearly unblemished record" when playing in a weaker conference. But easier is a comparative term. It doesn't mean that they still wouldn't finish with an unblemished or nearly unblemished record. You even agree with this with your wonderful equivocation " If UConn had to battle game-in and game-out in the SEC, ACC, or Pac-12, I'm not sure their record would be quite what it is now."

Then there's this " I know UConn dominates, but it dominates by playing in a mid-major conference where their next best competition probably isn't as good as he lower tier competition in the SEC."
UConn doesn't dominate because of their weak conference but in spite of it. Though it is certainly weaker than any of the P5 conferences. To think they dominate because of their weak conference would be to deny their success against top ranked teams. In the 2013-14 season, UConn was 15-0 against top 25 teams. This year they are 4-1 against top 25 teams including wins against the current #2 and #4 ranked teams.
So over the last 2 seasons, UConn is a combined 19-1 against top 25 teams. How could you describe that as anything but dominating ?

I never said UConn isn't dominating. However, their recent domination doesn't negate the increased parity that otherwise is seen within the sport. I know you want Tennessee to be in UConn's place, but the fact is, Tennessee has a somewhat harder path to travel in order to get there than UConn. How, specifically, does Tennessee go about achieving that domination that you desperately seek? What do you want to happen in order for that to happen?

 

[governmentmule]

I never said UConn isn't dominating. However, their recent domination doesn't negate the increased parity that otherwise is seen within the sport. I know you want Tennessee to be in UConn's place, but the fact is, Tennessee has a somewhat harder path to travel in order to get there than UConn. How, specifically, does Tennessee go about achieving that domination that you desperately seek? What do you want to happen in order for that to happen?

Izzy to be healthy and Russel and Jones also

wouldn't that be great ?

 

[ivyleague]

That again shows your stupidity. Who cares what conference you are in when you have won 4 of the last 6 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Sorry 'Lil Ivy, Geno plays for NC's, not CONFERENCE championships. You are so delusional and dumb-witted.

Fascinating.

 

[volnationnj]

I never said UConn isn't dominating. However, their recent domination doesn't negate the increased parity that otherwise is seen within the sport. I know you want Tennessee to be in UConn's place, but the fact is, Tennessee has a somewhat harder path to travel in order to get there than UConn. How, specifically, does Tennessee go about achieving that domination that you desperately seek? What do you want to happen in order for that to happen?

While I would like to see the LV's replace UConn at the top of wcbb, I can assure you that there is no desperation involved. I'm aware that you don't think UT can get back to the top as expressed in an earlier post in this thread " "That's why you're not going to see a return of the "glory days" that you so want." We differ there, I think they can. What would have to happen ?
I see 2 main variables. Players and how they're utilized.
And as governmentmule posted, good health.

 

[governmentmule]

Fascinating.

isn't it ?

 

[LasVegasBill23]

UConn doesn't dominate because of their weak conference but in spite of it.

So over the last 2 seasons, UConn is a combined 19-1 against top 25 teams.


Good point here..... I think also it does not matter what conference they play in, they presently are on a wave of dominance..... But it does not mean they are not infallible.... I remember recently Notre Dame's success vs. them..... which came with a cast of characters including only one bona fide superstar (Diggins).... accomplished through solid coaching, attitude, and good game planning....

My point I guess is, there is a successful path to get to the top.

 

[volnationnj]

UConn doesn't dominate because of their weak conference but in spite of it.

So over the last 2 seasons, UConn is a combined 19-1 against top 25 teams.


Good point here..... I think also it does not matter what conference they play in, they presently are on a wave of dominance..... But it does not mean they are not infallible.... I remember recently Notre Dame's success vs. them..... which came with a cast of characters including only one bona fide superstar (Diggins).... accomplished through solid coaching, attitude, and good game planning....

My point I guess is, there is a successful path to get to the top.

Exactly. Think of the logical consequences of stating that the LV's cannot get back to dominating wcbb. If they can't then nobody can. Unless you have a reasonable explanation of why another university can do something that we can't. Will it be easy ? No, but then what worth while is ?

 

[ivyleague]

Izzy to be healthy and Russel and Jones also

wouldn't that be great ?

Tennessee is fighting more of an uphill battle than many want to admit. The SEC is stronger all around than the AAC in which UConn plays. That does make a difference on a variety of levels. One, the all-around competition is tougher. Tennessee's schedule, period, is tougher than UConn's. Two, and perhaps more importantly than many people realize, the SEC is a far more physical conference than the AAC, which leads to a greater likelihood for player injuries (as we've seen). That affects a team's ability to dominate. Also, Tennessee unexpectedly lost their veteran coach three years ago. UConn didn't. People are looking to place blame on someone's shoulder's -- particularly Holly's -- and that's really very, very unfair to Holly. Sometimes, there's no one to blame. It's just the roll of the dice.

I know a lot of people have some asinine issue with Holly as coach and want her gone, but it's difficult for me to understand why. Maybe it's because she isn't Pat Summitt or because she hasn't garnered the same level of success in three years that Pat had 38 to achieve. Maybe it's something else. The fact is, she has done an amazing job and handled a situation that could have easily sealed Tennessee's fate in a very bad way, with skill and fortitude, and she has kept Tennessee at the elite level. She's done an excellent job so far, and it's really time for the naysayers and whiners to shut the hell up and let this play out. At the end of the day, it's just a game.

 

[madtownvol]

This discussion would make SOOOH much sense if UConn and the LVs were the only two teams in WCBB. Last I checked, however, Uconn's undeniable (but oh so lamentable) dominance of WCBB is not just over the LVs but also Stanford, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Duke, Baylor, Louisville and all the other programs in the top 20 and beyond. And these programs play in a variety of conferences and many have coaches who are, or will be, hall of famers. The "Uconn problem" is not just the LVs and not just Holly's. I am far from being a Uconn fan but I readily admit that they are the best team and should win the NC barring some unexpected implosion. So, for all the championship or bust folks, you are going to have a lot of company.

 

[armchair]

Warlick has been OK. She has not done an "amazing job." She has stabilized the ship but hasn't really accomplished anything but another SEC title--which is something, but not our main goal by a long shot. Injuries have nothing to do with the league you play in, don't be ridiculous. Anybody can get hurt at any time. We've had a lot of conventional and unconventional injuries, plus the strange Tucker situation: I worry that the stars refuse to align for Warlick, as we've had a lot of bad luck. She & staff need to keep bringing it on the recruiting front.

 

[LasVegasBill23]

Ivyleague...... i like your pointing out the SEC's physical nature..... it is something that is not at the forefront of most people's thinking..... not necessarily THE reason our problem for injuries but certainly contributing factor

 

[ivyleague]

Warlick has been OK. She has not done an "amazing job." She has stabilized the ship but hasn't really accomplished anything but another SEC title--which is something, but not our main goal by a long shot. Injuries have nothing to do with the league you play in, don't be ridiculous. Anybody can get hurt at any time. We've had a lot of conventional and unconventional injuries, plus the strange Tucker situation: I worry that the stars refuse to align for Warlick, as we've had a lot of bad luck. She & staff need to keep bringing it on the recruiting front.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I say she's done an amazing job under the circumstances; you say she's just been "okay." At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what either of us thinks. I'm not in a position to have control over anything related to the UT athletic department (other than the fact that I spend my money on tickets and gear), and my guess is, neither are you.

 

[jkleno]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I say she's done an amazing job under the circumstances; you say she's just been "okay." At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what either of us thinks. I'm not in a position to have control over anything related to the UT athletic department (other than the fact that I spend my money on tickets and gear), and my guess is, neither are you.

The only opinion that matters to you is your own. Your closed-minded, myopic views only hinder your ability to appreciate others points of view. We are not an Elite program anymore. Time will only tell if CHW can return us to that level.

 

[ivyleague]

The only opinion that matters to you is your own.

I never assumed otherwise.

Your closed-minded, myopic views only hinder your ability to appreciate others points of view.

How are my views closed-minded and myopic?

And I do appreciate others' points of view when I deem them worth considering. Yours don't meet my criteria.

We are not an Elite program anymore.

That's your opinion, and one with which I resoundingly disagree.

Time will only tell if CHW can return us to that level.

Well, if you are waiting on time to tell, why don't you stop and enjoy the ride instead of complaining and whining incessantly about what you feel is wrong with the program?

 

[BengalHuskie]

"Say what you want about the AAC. But only one Southeastern Conference school, Tennessee, has won the national championship (Texas A&M was in the Big 12 when it captured its 2011 title), the same as the AAC. And not a press conference goes by without an SEC coach or player saying that they play in the “toughest league in the country.”

UConn’s rout of South Carolina was its 13th straight win against an SEC opponent since it fell to LSU in the 2007 NCAA Elite Eight.

Since the start of the 2007-08 season, the Huskies are 76-5 against the Power-5 conferences: 27-0 against the Atlantic Coast Conference, 13-0 against the SEC, 9-0 against the Big Ten, 12-2 against the Big 12 (both losses to Baylor), and 15-3 against the Pac-12 (all three losses to Stanford)"

 

[BengalHuskie]

Just thought I'd throw that out there. No trolling, just a few facts. Also, here's a player's view on conferences: “For us, as the University of Connecticut, we want to play the best teams in the country,” UConn All-American Breanna Stewart said. “If we could have a schedule where we played 1-25 of the Top 25, we’d love to have that. We all have our own conferences and do the best we can within those conferences.”