Sometimes I think women’s basketball is like the growing kid who just wants to go out to play. And those of us who follow it and care about it so much are like worrywart parents trying to decide if it’s too cold outside, or if the kid’s clothes are warm enough, or if the playground is really safe, or the other kids are going to be mean, or if the kid needs our help …
Maybe we should just let the kid play.
Except we can’t help it. The kid does need guidance and support … and darn it, sometimes the other kids really are mean. So we fret about it all and try to figure out what more we can do, what needs to be changed or tinkered with.
Monday night, North Carolina won the men’s championship after a dominant NCAA tournament run in which the Tar Heels beat all six of their opponents by double digits. The margin in the title-game victory over Michigan State was 17 points.
Yet I doubt we’ll see anyone gripe, “Why did they even have a tournament? Why didn’t they just give the trophy to North Carolina?” the way some people will say about UConn if the Huskies close out their perfect season tonight against Louisville.
Yes, Carolina did lose four games this season, but at tournament time nobody really came very close to the Heels. Is that because men’s hoops has no parity … or because the Heels are just dang good? Obviously, you know the answer. But it’s not really that much different on the women’s side in regard to why UConn has been so strong this season. It isn’t because every other team just stinks.
Yet that’s what the very people who don’t even watch the women’s game will proclaim if the Huskies lift the trophy. It’s been a terrific tournament in so many ways, but you’d actually have to pay attention to know that.
Throughout this Final Four, the 17th that I’ve attended, I’ve thought about what makes UConn so good this year and – to be honest – somewhat lamented that one team’s excellence just gives more fuel to the idea that the sport isn’t going anywhere. To the contrary, though, it’s always adapting, changing, expanding.
UConn is in front of the pack this year, and maybe the Huskies will be next year, too. So be it. The way the Huskies play and conduct themselves is to be emulated. If UConn does win another national championship tonight, some eyes will roll (for both fans and detractors of the women’s game) … but remember that in every sport, excellence always spurs more excellence.
I’ve been very busy with pieces for ESPN.com the past several days, and that will be the case as the national championship and WNBA draft close out this week. But on this blog, we can further examine this season for as long as there are things to discuss.
Whether that’s how the media covers UConn/Tennessee, how the Courtney Paris “pledge” was covered, what the NCAA thinks about the attendance/bracket issues, or any number of things that I’ll be thinking about when there are no games to go to. I’ll keep looking at 2008-2009 as April continues.
Thank you, Mechelle, for putting it all in perspective. We women’s basketball fans do carry on like mother hens.
Great post. It is true how quickly people will dismiss all the close games, upsets, and generally great basketball that has happened along the way. While UConn and Tennessee consistently raise the bar (depends on the year which team is doing the raising) what sometimes gets lost is that the bar has been raised across the board.
I happen to believe it is possible to have a close game in the final. After all Louisville wasn’t supposed to beat the people they beat along the way and have nothing to lose.
Nice article Mechelle.
We haven’t won yet, but if we do, you are right, there will be comments.
Geno has responded to those who gripe about the dominance of UConn in the Big East – “Get Better”. He wasn’t handed a winning program on a silver platter, he started with a losing program and turned it into something special.
Phil
Thanks for the venue to ‘debrief’ from a long and glorious NCAAW hoops season.
I personally thought the season was filled with a ton of good games, highlighted by the waning of the “Strong” (think Tarheels, Vols) and the surging ahead of the “Not ‘Sposta Be So Strong” (South Dakota, Louisville, Rutgers, et.al.) UConn’s dominance was neither surprising nor did it diminish the fact that elsewhere, there was some really good conference and non-conference races.
One peeve of mine was that Moore so totally cleaned up in the awards department. Yes, YES…she’s FABULOUS. Maybe (okay…defintively) the most Parker-esque player since…well, since Candace herself. I still say she could NOT be what she was without Montgomery; I’m far more impressed with Renee, personally, and even McCaughtry as far as Big East POY goes. Nationally, too, I’d think Renee deserved more recognition. I certainly DO think the kid is fantastic, and it’s not that she’s NOT deserving, but…
Then there’s the Naismith COY. Geno. Yes, he is fabulous, too. Him and Pat. Yay. I guess they don’t calculate COY based on what one has to work with THIS season (as opposed to rewarding you for what you’ve accomplished because You’ve Created A Juggernaut Program And Draw All The Top Talent With Your Hugely Funded Program.)
I dunno…I just think Aaron Johnson (SDSU) or Jeff Walz have accomplished SOO much more THIS season with the pieces they had to work with.
But…gripe as we might, it’s really ALL GOOD, no?? The positives far outweigh any negatives in the grand scheme.
Can’t wait for ’09-’10!
As always Mechelle you nailed it! While I get tired of Geno and UConn – but I do love this team. Maya Moore and Renee Montgomery are such a joy to watch – how can you not love watching them play if you love great basketball.
I have no problem with Geno as Coach of the Year. This year he did an awesome job and in my mind the best job. When you go unbeaten with one senior in the rotation and with a key injury early on, that’s a coaching job.
That takes non away from Jeff Walz, who was impressive or Aaron Johnson (who got my coach of the year vote)
This has been one of the most competitive season in WCBB in awhile and this is been an exceptional NCAA tourney….Of course, you had to pay some attention to see it.