We’re Going Streaking…

Hardly, if ever, is Women’s Basketball talked about in the papers, blogs or at the water cooler. However, the UConn Women’s Basketball team has just won their 71st consecutive game.  They have beaten all 71 opponents by double digits. Their average margin of defeat is close to 30 points a game. This isn’t just any streak, its actually incredible if you think about it.

I was watching ESPN’s Sportscenter last night as the Lady Huskies were donned “King of the Night” after they beat Notre Dame for their 71st straight win. Merril Hoge, Tim Kurkjian and Jamal Mashburn were forced to (cough) discussed what a streak like this would mean for other sports. It would equal to about half of a MLB season, about 85% of an NBA season and almost 4 years of flawless NFL games. However, they were discussing men’s professional sports. The athletes that compete in the MLB, NFL, and NBA are getting paid for what they do…these young women on Connecticut are competing against other student athletes. It’s impossible to compare.

What if a Men’s College Basketball team currently had this streak? Would it be all over the press day in and day out? Of course it would. Why? The competition is spread across the country. Teams from every major conference get the best recruits and then there are times when players fall through the cracks to other schools and we see “Cinderalla” stories (see: George Mason 2006). 

What is my point?…The point is that the talent quality and quantity for men’s athletics can not be compared to those in the women’s game. Yes, UCLA won 88 consecutive men’s basketball games from 1971-1974. We will NEVER see another streak like this in the men’s game…never. There is way too much talent. Too many things can happen. 

It’s different for women…this streak is impressive, yet unimpressive all at the same time. USA and Canada women’s hockey teams were beating opponents 251-0 (an exaggeration) and no one was even flinching.

To show how little people care about this streak, ESPN put a poll on its front page asking how this streak has affected your interest in women’s college basketball? Currently 68% said it hasn’t changed. What is second? People are LESS interested (19%) compared to more interested (12%).

In athletics we need an underdog or Cinderella team to root for. The underdog always has a fighting chance…in women’s athletics, especially against the Lady Huskies, they have no chance. Until the talent level is spread across the country, this streak will continue to be unimpressive and leave fans “less interested”…