Now that’s impressive

As the 1930s’ era pitcher Dizzy Dean, the last National Leaguer to win 30 games in a season, once observed, “It ain’t bragging if you can do it.”

The achievements are so gaudy, the season-to-season excellence so consistent, that the fan base of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball program can’t be terribly faulted if they sometimes treat the remarkable as routine.

Another case in point came Monday when the Huskies completed their seven-year participation in the American Athletic Conference without ever losing a game. Think about that — 139-0. UConn easily defeated Cincinnati 87-53 to win the conference tournament championship at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Next year UConn returns to the Big East, where the women’s program was also dominant, though not quite perfect.

One has to wonder: How long can such sustained superiority continue? Coach Geno Auriemma, he of the eight national coach of the year honors, offered his perspective.

“As long as I’m here we don’t have to worry about that,” said the coach of the potential for the women’s program to slip toward mediocrity. “As long as I’m here, it’s not an issue. I can’t speak for after I leave, but as long as I’m coach here, we won’t be hard to find.”

It almost sounds like bragging. But if anyone has ever earned the right, it’s Geno.

And, as the 1930s’ era pitcher Dizzy Dean, the last National Leaguer to win 30 games in a season, once observed, “It ain’t bragging if you can do it.”

They sure have done it, including 11 NCAA championships, 20 Final Four appearances, including an on-going record 12 straight, and six undefeated seasons.

Among next season’s new players will be Paige Bueckers, a point guard and the pride of Hopkins High in Minnetonka, Minn. Monday she was named Gatorade National Player of the Year.

UConn begins the tourney after an “off year” of 28-3, likely entering as a — gasp! — second seed. That’s called a challenge.