History was made last night in Hartford, CT last night as the Connecticut Women's Basketball team won their 71st game in a row. They beat #7 Notre Dame 59-44 in the Big East Semifinals to break their own record 70 game winning streak from 2001-2003. Now, the college basketball universe looks forward to when they might potentially break UCLA's record 88 game winning streak to set the all-time college bball mark, men's or women's.
At this point, it appears that the UConn women's streak will continue until they decide to stop it. Why you may ask? Let's look at some of the numbers...
-UConn has trailed for a total of 86 minutes in 71 games. That's roughly 2.8 % of the total minutes played during the streak.
-UConn has only trailed at halftime 3 times during the streak.
-UConn has won every won of these 71 games by double digits.
-UConn is 13-0 against Top 10 opponents - winning those games by an average of 26.2 PPG.
-UConn is 371-28 over the last decade.
Seriously, this has to be the most dominant winning streak of all-time. The fact that they've not only beaten, but crushed everybody in women's basketball is simply stunning. No other team in women's basketball approaches what UConn has done or can do on the court. Pat Summitt and Tennessee have turned into the Washington Generals when matched up with their rival the Huskies. Their roster from top to bottom is loaded with All-Americans and future WNBA stars. Top 10 opponents losing by over 25 PPG on average doesn't inspire hope in #9 West Virginia pulling off the upset in the Big East Final... or anyone in the NCAA tournament or beyond.
But with all of the facts and numbers, there are still many fascinating questions revolving around the Huskies. Who on earth can beat this team? Are they the greatest UConn team of all-time? Are they the greatest women's bball team of all-time? Are they the greatest college team of all-time? Are they the most dominant team of all-time?
Are they bad for women's basketball?
Hmmm.... uhhh... that's sort of the problem isn't it?
Yes, UConn's dominance is compelling. Yes, greatness in sports is always appreciated, but to this extent? Look at what the dominance (and boredom) that Jimmie Johnson's 4 titles has done for NASCAR. Ratings have plummeted! Nobody cares anymore! What is the point of watching when we know the outcome? Isn't that unscripted drama one of the greatest features of sports? Are you going to turn on the NCAA Tournament to watch UConn blast teams by 30 points? Are you going to want to watch Stanford play Ohio State when you know neither team has a chance?
Perhaps the most respected voice in all of basketball is Rutgers women's head coach and hall of famer Vivian Stringer. In an SI article, she said...
"It's not their fault, but it's not a great thing for the sport," Rutgers coach Vivian Stringer said, "How can anybody enjoy a game that is really not much of a competition?"
If Vivian Stringer is talking about nobody enjoying women's basketball... that doesn't bode well for the sport, does it? And yes, it is up to the other teams to challenge UConn, but when will that be? Next year? Two years? Ten years? The most popular American sport is the NFL because of the parity, and because every team and fanbase has a chance to win and enjoy success. No matter where your favorite team is at before the start of the season, unless you live in Detroit or Cleveland, you believe in some small way your team can win it all. Sooner or later UConn will become the evil empire of college athletics, which is sad. Unfortunately, college women's basketball can't generate dominant stars we can still root because they transcend their sport...think pre-scandal Tiger. Plus, it's not like Geno Auriemma is the most likeable coach in the world either.
When someone does beat UConn it will be a big deal. It will be front page news and be the lead story on Sportscenter and SI and the other news outlets. It will be a lasting memory for whatever program finally knocks off mighty UConn. But, the glory of that game will come and go and women's basketball will still be in the same spot, languishing as an afterthought in the minds of the majority of sports fans.
The UConn/Tennessee rivalry was good for WBB. There was competition and drama around those games. But, that didn't mean it was a national sport. For women's basketball to grow across the country programs like Maryland, North Carolina, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, and others must challenge for their place atop the women's basketball world. Give those fans all over the country a chance to root their team on to a title. Maybe as these fans are opened up to successful women's programs, the stigmas about women's sports will disappear. Fans need to have a reason to watch games that don't involve UConn to grow the sport. So, while the streak might be good for UConn and for the record books, it's bad for women's basketball.
What do you think of the UConn women's record streak? Let us know by leaving a comment below. Also, look for our Championship Roundtable tonight or tomorrow to get you set for the Madness to begin. Until next time, it's bye for now!
2 comments:
The mere fact that we are talking about women's bb is statement in of itself as to why this is beneficial to women's college basketball. When elese are they on the map at all during the regular season? UCONN is carrying that sport on their back. Should Geno be punished for success or a lack of competition?
I think women's basketball fans will remember UConn's dominance years from now.
When I was about a 14 year-old kid I would occasionally play basketball on a against a neighborhood kid who was much smaller and about 10 years old. Of course I would beat him. I never got a bit of satisfaction from these "victories". I did not win because I was smarter, out-hustled him, in better physical condition, or practiced harder. I would beat him because I clearly had more inate basketball ability.
UConn is a little bit like I was when I played this little kid. They have simply recruited greater basketball talent than other schools. It's always better to win than lose, but I'm not sure where the satisfaction would come from.
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