Most respondents to this week's SNET Internet survey are expecting a lot from the 1999-2000 UConn men's basketball team -- not surprising, given that they're the defending national champions and a preseason No. 1 in some major polls.
We've got to wonder, though, if the results would have been different if this week's survey had taken place after the season-opening loss to Iowa, and after published allegations regarding possible NCAA rule-breaking. Perhaps not. Most Connecticut residents seem to love their UConn basketball, men's and women's.
The results:
Q: What are your expectations for the UConn men's basketball team this season?
- Repeat! - 1,806 (34%)
- Final Four - 1,592 (30%)
- Final Eight - 483 (9%)
- Sweet Sixteen - 229 (4%)
- Lucky to make NCAAs - 126 (2%)
- Also-rans - 34 (1%)
- I don't care - 1,024 (20%)
Your comments:
"UConn will kick anyone! They have to keep up there title as CHAMPIONS! There are no underdogs from UConn! If anyone connected to the team reads this, then all I can say is "you rock!" (and Coach Calhoun, thanks for the king-sized candy bars on Halloween! They were great!" J.G., Storrs
"I don't expect the Huskies to repeat but they should be exciting to watch because of the new players and seeing how they mesh with the veterans. Go UCONN, right to the Final Four! P.F.B., Groton
"I think it will be very hard to repeat with freshmen taking over for Ricky Moore and their best shooter last year, Richard Hamilton. But I've heard a lot of good things about the new freshmen coming in this year and look forward to seeing if all the sports analysts are right." J.C., New Britain
"UConn is ranked No. 1 preseason, so there is no reason not to have hope that they will repeat the championship! We have great players and a lot of confidence. C.M., Hebron
"I believe it difficult to get teams defending their championship motivated enough to repeat unless they are accustomed to playing at the (highest) level (Example: The Atlantic Coast Conference.) I would like to see them repeat. However, I believe they will reach the Final Four." Ron Phillips, Colchester
"I don't care so much that I don't even know what NCAA stands for, nor what a "Sweet 16" is!" C.V., New London
"I'm a Duke fan. I hate UConn. I think they'll be lucky if they make March Madness. Duke should have won last year but there was poor reffing. Why couldn't you ask who will win the Final Four? I bet results would be different. One last thing -- Coach K. rules!" A Duke fan, Stamford
"I would like them to repeat, for them, but we (Connecticut) had our championship, and I'm sure there is some small school out there that would benefit from a big win like we did." R.S.D., Shelton
"I think the Huskies will go all the way this year. They have a strong team, determination, and skill to face the challenges their opponents might throw at them. With some new players, they are regaining their confidence to start the new season and win the championship again!" F.H., Higganum
Previous survey results are available.
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