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Women’s basketball is suffering from a lack of a power struggle Women’s basketball is suffering from a lack of a power struggle
(about 4 hours later)
On Feb. 8, top-ranked Connecticut played then-No. 2 South Carolina in a matchup of the last two unbeaten teams in Division I women’s basketball. An announced crowd of 18,000 packed Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., the largest to ever watch a women’s game in the state. They witnessed the Huskies roll, 66-54. On Feb. 8, top-ranked Connecticut played then-No. 2 South Carolina in a matchup of the last two unbeaten teams in Division I women’s basketball. An announced crowd of 18,000 packed Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., the largest ever to watch a women’s game in the state. They witnessed the Huskies roll, 66-54.
It was the first time since Dec. 5, when then-No. 3 Notre Dame fell to Connecticut, 91-81, that teams in the top three had faced one another. But even after the loss, the Fighting Irish’s ranking remained unchanged. Until this week in fact, with Notre Dame and the Gamecocks swapping positions, the top three had been identical since the Associated Press released its preseason poll on Nov. 2. It was the first time since Dec. 5, when then-No. 3 Notre Dame fell to Connecticut, 91-81, that teams in the top three had faced one another. But even after the loss, Notre Dame’s ranking remained unchanged. Until this week in fact, with the Fighting Irish and Gamecocks swapping positions, the top three had been identical ever since the Associated Press released its preseason poll Nov. 2.
Baylor, meanwhile, has been No. 4 for 12 weeks, underscoring near immutability among the top four this season, especially compared with 2014-15 when that group changed three times in the first seven polls. Stability within the top four, in stark contrast to the volatile men’s poll, also illustrates how dominion in the sport continues to rest with only a few established programs. Baylor, meanwhile, has been No. 4 for 12 weeks, underscoring near immutability among the top four this season, especially compared with 2014-15, when that group changed three times in the first seven polls. Stability within the top four, in stark contrast to the volatile men’s poll, also illustrates how dominion in the sport continues to rest with only a few established programs.
[The best team in men’s college basketball is, well, nobody][The best team in men’s college basketball is, well, nobody]
That begins, of course, with the Huskies, who are seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive national championship. Connecticut (24-0) owns a record 10 NCAA titles, all under Coach Geno Auriemma.That begins, of course, with the Huskies, who are seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive national championship. Connecticut (24-0) owns a record 10 NCAA titles, all under Coach Geno Auriemma.
“I think we’re getting closer,” Debbie Antonelli, a longtime college basketball analyst for several major networks, said of whether teams in the top four this season are at all vulnerable. “I’m not depressed about it, I’m concerned. The concern is the same I’ve always had. I do think when you get to the [NCAA] tournament it’s about matchups, but the one thing that Connecticut is skilled at, that seems to be better than everybody else, is skilled at winning. They know how to win. “I think we’re getting closer,” Debbie Antonelli, a longtime college basketball analyst for several major networks, said of whether teams in the top four this season are at all vulnerable. “I’m not depressed about it; I’m concerned. The concern is the same I’ve always had. I do think when you get to the [NCAA] tournament it’s about matchups, but the one thing that Connecticut is skilled at, that seems to be better than everybody else, is skilled at winning. They know how to win.
“The formula for them is a not a secret formula. It’s repetitious, over and over.”“The formula for them is a not a secret formula. It’s repetitious, over and over.”
It’s a blueprint Notre Dame (24-1) has been closest to matching, at least in terms of Final Four appearances. Under Coach Muffet McGraw, the Fighting Irish have advanced to seven Final Fours, including the last four in a row, but their only national championship came in 2001. It’s a blueprint Notre Dame (24-1) has been closest to matching, at least in terms of Final Four berths. Under Coach Muffet McGraw, the Irish have advanced to seven Final Fours, including the past four in a row, but their only national championship came in 2001.
South Carolina (23-1) is seeking its first national title, having recently become a regular in the top four under Coach Dawn Staley. The two-time national player of the year at Virginia is only the second person in NCAA history to play for and coach a top-ranked team. Last season the Gamecocks were No. 1 from Weeks 3 through 14. South Carolina (23-1), meanwhile, is seeking its first national title, having recently become a top-four regular under Coach Dawn Staley. Staley, a two-time national player of the year at Virginia, is only the second person in NCAA history to play for and coach a top-ranked team. Last season the Gamecocks were No. 1 from Weeks 3 through 14.
Baylor (25-1) has two national championships, both under Coach Kim Mulkey. The most recent title came in 2012 behind national player of the year Brittney Griner. The Lady Bears’ only loss this season was to Oklahoma State, 52-45, on Dec. 30, dropping them to No. 6. Two weeks later they reclaimed the fourth spot, where they have remained. Then there’s Baylor (25-1), which has two national championships, both under Coach Kim Mulkey and the most recent coming in 2012 behind national player of the year Brittney Griner. The Lady Bears’ only loss this season was to Oklahoma State, 52-45, on Dec. 30, dropping them to No. 6. Two weeks later they reclaimed the fourth spot, where they have remained.
“I think with the consistency Connecticut, South Carolina, Baylor and Notre Dame have had in terms of over the years, right now they’re in positions where they understand in the end-of-game scenarios to be able to find ways to win,” said Stephanie White, a women’s basketball analyst for ESPN and the Big Ten Network, as well as coach of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.“I think with the consistency Connecticut, South Carolina, Baylor and Notre Dame have had in terms of over the years, right now they’re in positions where they understand in the end-of-game scenarios to be able to find ways to win,” said Stephanie White, a women’s basketball analyst for ESPN and the Big Ten Network, as well as coach of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.
White served as the lead analyst for the ESPN broadcast of the Feb. 8 game between No. 6 Maryland and No. 5 Ohio State in Columbus. The Buckeyes triumphed, 94-86, to take over sole possession of first place in the Big Ten and move one step closer to dethroning Maryland as regular season champions. White served as the lead analyst for the ESPN broadcast of the Feb. 8 game between No. 6 Maryland and No. 5 Ohio State in Columbus. The Buckeyes triumphed, 94-86, to take over sole possession of first place in the Big Ten and move one step closer to dethroning Maryland as regular season champions.
With back-to-back Final Four appearances, the Terrapins have been close to breaking through and joining the few programs ranked above them this season as regulars in the upper reaches of the top 25. In the past decade, Maryland is one of two schools (Texas A&M) other than Connecticut, Tennessee and Baylor with a national championship. With back-to-back Final Four appearances, the Terrapins have been close to breaking through and joining the few programs ranked above them this season as regulars in the top 25’s upper reaches. In the past decade, Maryland is one of two schools (along with Texas A&M) not named Connecticut, Tennessee or Baylor to win a national championship.
[Maryland women bounce back with victory over Purdue][Maryland women bounce back with victory over Purdue]
But this season there’s clear separation among Maryland (23-3), Ohio State (21-4) and the handful of other schools vying to crack the top four.But this season there’s clear separation among Maryland (23-3), Ohio State (21-4) and the handful of other schools vying to crack the top four.
The Buckeyes offer perhaps the most intriguing case for winding up there by the end of the regular season. They not only own a series sweep of Maryland but also face just one ranked opponent — fading No. 25 Michigan State, which it already beat earlier this season — the rest of the way while Baylor draws No. 17 Oklahoma State, No. 20 Oklahoma and, in the finale, No. 8 Texas. The Buckeyes offer perhaps the most intriguing case for winding up there by the end of the regular season. They not only own a series sweep of Maryland but also face just one ranked opponent — fading No. 25 Michigan State , which Ohio State already beat earlier this season — the rest of the way while Baylor draws No. 17 Oklahoma State, No. 20 Oklahoma and, in its finale, No. 8 Texas.
“Maryland has shown [it knows how to win] the last two years. Ohio State’s a team that’s learning how to continue to do that,” White said. “Certainly I think if a team [in the top four] falters, either one of these two teams has the ability to get in there.”“Maryland has shown [it knows how to win] the last two years. Ohio State’s a team that’s learning how to continue to do that,” White said. “Certainly I think if a team [in the top four] falters, either one of these two teams has the ability to get in there.”
Ohio State also is ranked fifth in the NCAA.com Ratings Percentage Index, which the NCAA tournament selection committee uses in part to determine the field and assign seeds. Maryland is 11th in RPI. The top four in the RPI rankings comprise the same schools as in the AP top four, except in slightly different order: Notre Dame, Connecticut, South Carolina, Baylor. Ohio State also is ranked fifth in the NCAA.com Rating Percentage Index, which the NCAA tournament selection committee uses in part to determine the field and assign seeds. Maryland is 11th in RPI. The top four in the RPI rankings are the same schools as in the AP top four, except in a slightly different order: Notre Dame, Connecticut, South Carolina, Baylor.
The only teams to have been fourth in the AP poll this season besides Baylor were Texas and eight-time national champion Tennessee, which stayed there for the first three weeks, in hindsight based purely on reputation. The now-No. 24 Lady Vols (15-9) have the most losses of any school in the rankings and recently were in danger of falling out completely. The only teams to have been fourth in the AP poll this season besides Baylor were Texas and Tennessee, an eight-time national champion, which stayed there for the first three weeks, in hindsight based purely on reputation. The now-No. 24 Lady Vols (15-9) have the most losses of any school in the rankings and recently were in danger of falling out completely.
At No. 4 for Weeks 9 and 10, the Longhorns dropped to sixth after losing to Baylor, 80-67, on Jan. 17 in Austin. They’re now ranked No. 8. This time, Texas fell two more spots on the heels of a 74-56 loss to the Sooners on Sunday. At No. 4 for Weeks 9 and 10, the Longhorns dropped to sixth after losing to Baylor, 80-67, on Jan. 17 in Austin. They’re now ranked No. 8. This time, Texas fell two more spots on the heels of a 74-56 loss to Oklahoma on Sunday.
“I think it takes time for that next tier because I go back to the word ‘culture,’” said LaChina Robinson, a women’s basketball analyst for Fox Sports 1, among other networks. “I do believe a winning culture is contagious. It takes winning at the highest level consistently and that expectation that every year there’s no doubt we’re getting to the Final Four. It takes that type of continued success. “I think it takes time for that next tier because I go back to the word ‘culture,’ ” said LaChina Robinson, a women’s basketball analyst for Fox Sports 1, among other networks. “I do believe a winning culture is contagious. It takes winning at the highest level consistently and that expectation that every year there’s no doubt we’re getting to the Final Four. It takes that type of continued success.
“I do think it’s possible for those teams, and the more parity we start to see in women’s basketball, I think the less likely it will be that we ever see the U-Conn. and Tennessee type [of] success again.”“I do think it’s possible for those teams, and the more parity we start to see in women’s basketball, I think the less likely it will be that we ever see the U-Conn. and Tennessee type [of] success again.”