Spring Break
Arrogant reputation unwarranted
Kevin Meacham
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Sports
As we embark on the final weekend of UConn basketball in my college career, I am compelled to offer one final defense of my school and its teams.
Lately, UConn hasn't been the most well-liked program in the NCAA.
The men's basketball team - and Jim Calhoun, specifically - has come under fire thanks to an alleged recruiting scandal. Just about everybody is getting in their potshots - ESPN's Pat Forde claimed UConn was the least likable team in the Final Four - turning UConn into a one-dimensional, easy-to-hate villain just in time for the Huskies' Final Four game with Michigan State.
(Incidentally, it is amazing that America has turned Michigan State, a top-10 team who won its conference and destroyed the Big East champion, into a plucky underdog as metaphor for Michigan's declining economy. Maybe Tom Izzo should be the next CEO of Ford.)
I wouldn't be surprised to hear around 60,000 of the expected 72,000 at Ford Field will be rooting for the Spartans - UNC and Villanova fans included.
All things considered, it's not too surprising that this would be the case. UConn is easy to hate, if you don't give it more than 30 seconds of thought like most sports fans.
What's slightly more troubling was this question, unleashed from a Trenton (N.J.) Times reporter to UConn stars Renee Montgomery and Maya Moore over last weekend:
"I've been watching Connecticut for longer than you have been around, and they are arrogant. It's been the trademark of this program, especially of your coach. He wants you to know that you're Connecticut and you're better than anybody. How do you balance this, that you have to have an arrogant confidence and yet not let it affect you?"
Um, what?
You could reasonably (but still wrongly) make that claim about Geno Auriemma, but has that guy ever watched or listened to a member of the UConn women's team before? In particular, Montgomery and Moore are two of the more thoughtful and gracious star athletes playing today.
Lately, UConn hasn't been the most well-liked program in the NCAA.
The men's basketball team - and Jim Calhoun, specifically - has come under fire thanks to an alleged recruiting scandal. Just about everybody is getting in their potshots - ESPN's Pat Forde claimed UConn was the least likable team in the Final Four - turning UConn into a one-dimensional, easy-to-hate villain just in time for the Huskies' Final Four game with Michigan State.
(Incidentally, it is amazing that America has turned Michigan State, a top-10 team who won its conference and destroyed the Big East champion, into a plucky underdog as metaphor for Michigan's declining economy. Maybe Tom Izzo should be the next CEO of Ford.)
I wouldn't be surprised to hear around 60,000 of the expected 72,000 at Ford Field will be rooting for the Spartans - UNC and Villanova fans included.
All things considered, it's not too surprising that this would be the case. UConn is easy to hate, if you don't give it more than 30 seconds of thought like most sports fans.
What's slightly more troubling was this question, unleashed from a Trenton (N.J.) Times reporter to UConn stars Renee Montgomery and Maya Moore over last weekend:
"I've been watching Connecticut for longer than you have been around, and they are arrogant. It's been the trademark of this program, especially of your coach. He wants you to know that you're Connecticut and you're better than anybody. How do you balance this, that you have to have an arrogant confidence and yet not let it affect you?"
Um, what?
You could reasonably (but still wrongly) make that claim about Geno Auriemma, but has that guy ever watched or listened to a member of the UConn women's team before? In particular, Montgomery and Moore are two of the more thoughtful and gracious star athletes playing today.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
KKM
posted 4/02/09 @ 12:21 PM EST
Exactly! Well said!!
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