Re: College Basketball 2016-17: Destination Phoenix
UConn actually keeps me watching women's basketball outside of MSU games. Like the US women's team, there's an efficiency that is almost artificial because it doesn't seem possible.
Their coach actually talks quite frankly that they are competing for people's entertainment dollars and that winning doesn't mean much in their sport unless people enjoy watching it, too. Last night's game had the highest ratings of any college game on ESPN2 this season, men's or women's.
I've learned to watch the play off the ball, and not pay much attention to whomever has it, when they are in half-court offense or in half-court defense. On offense, a player will set a screen for another player to get unimpeded to another spot on the floor at which to set another screen.
They have one of the most exquisite fast breaks you will ever see, it is just as good as the Showtime Lakers (except no dunk at the end). Pass-pass-pass-pass score, maybe the ball hits the floor once.
This year's team is a delightful surprise. They weren't supposed to be very good this year. Their best post player is 5'11", and she just schooled a very very good center who is 6'5" last night (with help of course. The team defense cut off the high post and kept the guards away from spots on the floor that from which an entry pass normally would originate). She also finished 4th in high jump at US Olympic trials, great vertical. Jay Bilas calls her the most complete player in college basketball, man or woman, this year.
One of their starting guards has an absurd assist/turnover ratio of 4.89. # 2 in the nation is at 3.42.
