Legends Are Forever

Mamba Out 

 Another Kind Of Big 3

151-5, that’s Moriah Jefferson, Breanna Stewart, and Morgan Tuck’s record at UConn. Above are the only 3 teams that were ever able to rise to the occasion. Now that we know the greatness of UConn’s trio, we have to commend the only teams that were good enough on any given day to surmount them. 4 of these 5 losses came in the trio’s freshman season, 3 of those losses came to Notre Dame (Big East Champions 2013), the other to Baylor (Big 12 Champions 2013) The 5th loss came to Stanford (PAC 12 Champions 2015)  early in the 14-15 season, the last loss this trio would ever take. 

NCAAW National Championship: UConn 82 - Syracuse 51

It’s another year and another championship. While the image of seniors jumping into Geno’s arms as time dwindles off the clock en route to a national championship may seem routine by now, this one is the biggest one yet. Winning never gets old, especially not when it etches you into the history books for accomplishing things that have never been done before. I’ve been talking about the prospect of 11 National Championships for four years now, and tonight it finally came to fruition. That gives Geno one more than John Wooden and UCLA for the most all-time in NCAA Basketball (men or women). 11 rings no other coach has won that many championships in basketball at any level except Phil Jackson. While John Wooden’s teams won 7 straight from 67-73, none of those teams consisted of the same players. Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson, and Morgan Tuck tonight became the only athletes in the history of NCAA Basketball (men or women) to win four National Championships! Breanna Stewart becomes the only player to win four Most Outstanding Player awards in the National Championship game (men or women) 151 wins between the trio is the most ever in NCAA Basketball history (men or women). Oh yeah, they went 38-0 this season. Perfection has never been more personified than it is by this team. 

What I loved most about this year’s team was their defensive mastery. This was the most aggressive UConn defense I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching play. So many games started with incredible pressure that saw leads grow to insurmountable within minutes of tip off. I am going to miss these three seniors and everything that they brought to the table. I remember predicting the impact they would have as freshman following a season that saw UConn miss the National Championship game. I wish them success in their pro careers. 

Now we turn to next season. Kia Nurse will lead this team. Gabby Williams will return even better than she returned this season. Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier will be big pieces of the puzzle. A healthy Saniya Chong will be key as well. It’ll be a challenging season, but I’m gonna go ahead and predict another one. (I do this every year.) ...Wait. How about that shot by walk on, Briana Pulido!!! (who is also a senior) I reacted as emphatically as the bench (see the 5th picture.) 

NCAAW National Championship: UConn 63 - Notre Dame 53 

Once again Geno and the UConn women find themselves at the top of the college basketball world. It wasn’t always pretty but this team has heart and they’re scrappy. Geno has coached some of the greatest to ever play the game and what he instills in his players demands that they are the best versions of themselves every time they take to the court. Early in the season UConn did not have the look of the teams that had won the two previous championships. Understandable as Bria Hartley and Stef Dolson were major contributors on the court. That may not have been evident to the casual viewer as they won their first three games of the season by a combined score of 334-113 against smaller programs. A run in with a hungry Stanford saw UConn lose 88-86 in OT the fourth game of the season. Soon after Kia Nurse emerged as a dominating player able to take it inside or cause damage from the perimeter. Moriah Jefferson seized control of her team setting up her teammates to be as efficient as possible. She’s a defensive mastermind and throughout the tournament she emerged as a huge threat scoring the ball. Her three pointer was falling with great accuracy throughout. Breanna and Kaleena were as expected amazing. Morgan Tuck was an image of consistency throughout the season. Kiah Stokes was a lock for big defensive plays when her number was called. Gabby and Saniya played their roles and contributed when needed. 

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