ESPN loves U-C-O-N-N
Some guy on ESPN actually said the winning streak by UConn is good for the sport of women's basketball.
Wow! Really?
The Huskies have won 89 games in a row. Any sports fan who doesn't know this ... actually anybody who has walked past by a TV tuned to ESPN has to know this. The sports network has done to this what it does to every story it gets - run it into the freaking ground.
Every talk show had a segment on the UConn streak. That wouldn't be bad except the people talking about the streak know nothing about women's basketball.
Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon, of all people, actually said the coverage should help the sport.
First of all, it will help. It will help UConn. That's the only program the exposure will help. And, as the current dominance might suggest, the Huskies don't need any more help.
The thing is, it could've helped other teams if ESPN covered it correctly. If the network covered it the way it covers the sports it actually cares about.
Here's an example:
"We're here today to discuss women's basketball, specifically, UConn's winning streak. Here's the question, when will the streak end?"
"The obvious answer at the beginning of the season was either against Baylor or at Stanford. The Huskies already dodged the Baylor bullet, thanks to some home cooking in Hartford. The trip to California is still looming but the mighty Cardinal has fallen - twice.
Stanford is having chemistry issues, trying to find enough ball handling and shooting to go with an absolutely loaded frontcourt. So, the question is, can Stanford get it together in time to give the Huskies a run for their money? Or, will we have to wait around for Baylor to get UConn on a neutral court?"
Okay, if Pardon The Interruption had discussed the streak in this manner, sure, it would've been good for women's basketball. You'd talk about UConn and also mention the other top teams. But, no, all I've heard the past two days is one name and one name only.
UConn already has an incredible advantage as the only women's program with its on local network - ESPN. No other program can match that kind of exposure ESPN affords Geno and the gang.
The least they could do is pretend there are other teams in the universe. Hell, the only time Brittney Griner's name has been uttered on PTI is when she slugged the girl from Texas Tech.
This UConn streak could've been great for the game. It could've shown the masses that women are playing great basketball. But, all it has been is another recruiting tool for UConn and ESPN.
The rich just got richer.
And, if I hear another former UConn player talk about how the streak is a product of hard work I'm gonna puke.
Of course the Huskies work hard. Every progam ranked in the top 10 has hard-working players. Are you really saying UConn is the only program that works hard and the rest of the top 25 is filled with lazy, uninspired losers?
Really?
No, the Huskies work their butts off, just like most of the teams they beat. The difference is, UConn has the best players on its team. Yeah, Geno Auriemma is a great coach and he has a great coaching staff. But, the reason UConn has won 89 consecutive games is because in its previous 89 games, its players were better than the players on the opposing team.
Wow! Really?
The Huskies have won 89 games in a row. Any sports fan who doesn't know this ... actually anybody who has walked past by a TV tuned to ESPN has to know this. The sports network has done to this what it does to every story it gets - run it into the freaking ground.
Every talk show had a segment on the UConn streak. That wouldn't be bad except the people talking about the streak know nothing about women's basketball.
Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon, of all people, actually said the coverage should help the sport.
First of all, it will help. It will help UConn. That's the only program the exposure will help. And, as the current dominance might suggest, the Huskies don't need any more help.
The thing is, it could've helped other teams if ESPN covered it correctly. If the network covered it the way it covers the sports it actually cares about.
Here's an example:
"We're here today to discuss women's basketball, specifically, UConn's winning streak. Here's the question, when will the streak end?"
"The obvious answer at the beginning of the season was either against Baylor or at Stanford. The Huskies already dodged the Baylor bullet, thanks to some home cooking in Hartford. The trip to California is still looming but the mighty Cardinal has fallen - twice.
Stanford is having chemistry issues, trying to find enough ball handling and shooting to go with an absolutely loaded frontcourt. So, the question is, can Stanford get it together in time to give the Huskies a run for their money? Or, will we have to wait around for Baylor to get UConn on a neutral court?"
Okay, if Pardon The Interruption had discussed the streak in this manner, sure, it would've been good for women's basketball. You'd talk about UConn and also mention the other top teams. But, no, all I've heard the past two days is one name and one name only.
UConn already has an incredible advantage as the only women's program with its on local network - ESPN. No other program can match that kind of exposure ESPN affords Geno and the gang.
The least they could do is pretend there are other teams in the universe. Hell, the only time Brittney Griner's name has been uttered on PTI is when she slugged the girl from Texas Tech.
This UConn streak could've been great for the game. It could've shown the masses that women are playing great basketball. But, all it has been is another recruiting tool for UConn and ESPN.
The rich just got richer.
And, if I hear another former UConn player talk about how the streak is a product of hard work I'm gonna puke.
Of course the Huskies work hard. Every progam ranked in the top 10 has hard-working players. Are you really saying UConn is the only program that works hard and the rest of the top 25 is filled with lazy, uninspired losers?
Really?
No, the Huskies work their butts off, just like most of the teams they beat. The difference is, UConn has the best players on its team. Yeah, Geno Auriemma is a great coach and he has a great coaching staff. But, the reason UConn has won 89 consecutive games is because in its previous 89 games, its players were better than the players on the opposing team.
posted by Tony at
11:34 PM
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