Final Four on 2008, UConn lost their last game to date. In a sport dominated by a few teams, it seemed only right for them to lose to Stanford, another top team. UConn was set to win yet another national championship that year, but they lost. That feeling in the locker room after losing so close to the championship changed the way the team wanted to play, wanted to win. There are many people in the sports world who disregard women's basketball as competitive and exciting as men's college basketball. The women's league is dominated by a few teams, but isn't that the same in men's as well? Men's bball has been dominated by teams like Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, UConn and a few other teams. Yes there may be other championship teams that break up championship streaks, but looking at total championships won there are a few elite programs that stand out. It's sometimes hard to see because NCAA men's basketball has been around a lot longer than women's. Since the NCAA recognized women's basketball in 1982 the 3-4 teams that are discussed every year: Tennessee, LSU, Stanford and UConn, naturally. When you're an elite female basketball player, you dream to play for one of these teams, therefore they are always going to be the ones winning championships. There aren't as many successful programs in women's basketball, so unlike men's, the elite talent is not spread out amongst numerous programs.
While at UConn, and beyond, there are few teams that I've seen control and dominate in their sport like the Lady Huskies.During this win streak, there have been 2 games where they haven't won by more than 10 points. One of those games being the first game of the season this year against Baylor, where they won by 1, 65-64. They're only true test during this streak, even last year in the 2010 NCAA tournament they beat Baylor 70-50 in the final four then went on to defeat Stanford in the championship. On average they are beating opponents by 30+ points. In their win over Florida State for their 89th win, they won 93-62. Few teams in any sport can say that they truly dominate like these women do. No it's not the same as a men's team, but in relating even the Wooden's UCLA didn't dominate like these ladies are doing. It is a team sport, but in this era the game itself is dominated by a single player from UConn, Maya Moore.
There have been man players in NCAA women's basketball history who have completely dominated in their time playing for their team: Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird (all from UConn), Candice Parker and Kara Lawson (Tennessee) and many others, but since 2007 there has been one player who can't be stopped: Maya Moore. It isn't a single person sport, but it's a team that since her arrival, has almost played around her. She's had some phenomenal teammates in Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles, both tops in UConn players, but when coming down to the wire of a close game (if there are any) you want Moore with the ball in hand driving the lane. In their last victory, at halftime Florida State had 27 points while Moore herself had 26. By the end of the game she had a career high of 41 points. Auriemma has instilled a motto with the team that has allowed their dominance, play a perfect game. They don't care what the score is, but they play to play a perfect game. 100% of shots taken made, no fouls, high rebounds, good defense. While the likelihood of that happening is slim to none, but this motto and goal has created this dominating team. And there is no one better to have on the team than the perfectionist Moore. When she was 2, she lost a game (not basketball) and hated the feeling of losing and vowed to herself that she would do anything in her power from then on to win anything she did. Her work ethic, if placed in any decent athlete, would make them great. She will stay after practice on her own and shoot layups or free throws or 3-pointers if during practice or a game she didn't make as many as she wanted. She's a phenomenal team player, if someone on her team is playing well in a game, she'll change her play to give them the ball. It's not just about her points, it's about the teams.
This is a big year in UConn sports. Men's basketball is ranked in the top 10 and playing like a high caliber team, football is going to it's first BCS bowl game, baseball is pre-season top 25, and my swim team has man swimmers in the top 50 and with NCAA qualifying times. It's not a bad time to be a Husky and with this women's team still winning, we're all proud.
U! C! O! N! N! UCONN! UCONN! UCONN!
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