Sunday, November 30, 2014

Doggydaddy's Dailies 12/1/2014


 
 
A Daily look at scores from yesterday, a list of top performers in those games and of course a little opinion
 
 
 
Great tourney by UConn and I will have a Gulf Coast Classic wrap up shortly but I wanted to talk a little about one of my favorite subjects. A Tennessee Lady Vol loss.
 
The #4 Lady Vols  just played #6 Texas in Austin and were beaten fairly easily 72-59. Tennessee made a couple of small runs, but their 10 point half time deficit was never less than 8 and was stretched to 15 points late in the second half.
 
Losing to Texas on the road this year is nothing to be ashamed of. Texas beat Stanford in Palo Alto after Stanford beat UConn. The Longhorns have a very talented team and I was impressed with their ball movement and sharing the ball. They took a lot of good shots.
 
The problem with Tennessee to me appears to be years of poor coaching. With Pat Summitt more than likely suffering from the very early stages of her illness, the team seemed to suffer. Now with Warlick the coach the last few years, you just don't see the smart play you need to succeed at the highest level of WCBB. Several highly ranked players have not lived up to their billings and have not improved while at Tennessee. Warlick is still coaching out of Pat's old handbook of rebounding and defense. The problem is they are not very good at either of those right now.
 
Here is the telling stat. 3 assists in this game. And NONE by the guards. Really. None. It's hard to believe that even by accident you can't manage one assist.
 
Unless that changes, even the return of Harrison will not help Tennessee have the kind of season all the Lady Vol fans were expecting. And I believe it won't change. They will win their share of games just by pressing the weak teams out of the arena. But there will be a lot of bumps in the road with Stanford, ND, South Carolina, Texas A&M and a few other surprises in the SEC.        
  
 So, enough Orange bashing. Even I get tired of it, so..........
 
 
Ladies and Gents, DD looks at the news........

 

Temple beats Harvard 81-69

Women's Basketball Fights Back For 67-62 Win Over UCF UMass Athletics
 
 
My Granddaughters love Disney
  

Thanks to my friend JohnnyC who sends me these numbers when he can.

Amanda Cahill Indiana 13 pts 18 reb
Rachel Banham Minnesota 25 pts
Ayanna Hardy-Fuller Jackson St. 26 pts 16 reb (ot)
Jennique Bailey Bryant 35 pts 8 ast
Damika Martinez Iona 29 pts
Dyana Pierre S. Illinois 20 pts 10 reb
Raeshel Contreras South Dakota 27 pts
Kaylah Keys High Point 30 pts
 Khadijiah Cave Baylor 20 points 10 rebounds
Ieasha Small Baylor 10 points 10 assists
Betnijah Laney Rutgers19 points 12 rebounds
Tyler Scaife Rutgers 23 points 
 
 

Check out the award winning Blogs below

Inane commentary on a game that deserves far better

 By the well known ThisJustIn

And another terrific blog by Mel Greenberg

 Hoops Guru


I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:
 
 

Green Bay UConn Gulf Coast Showcase Preview

 
Last nights Games
 
 
Green Bay came back from a late deficit to beat Arizona State, 63-57. They were down nine points after Arizona State scored the first eight points of the half to lead 39-28. To their credit Green Bay didn't wither at that point and went on their own 9-2 run to cut it to 41-37.  
 
It was back and forth with a few ties before a couple of 3 pointers by ASU's Katie Hempen put the Sun Devils back ahead 53-47 at the 5-minute mark. The Phoenix then closed the game on a 16-4 run to win going away. 
 
Green Bay had 4 players in double figures led by RS Sophomore forward Mehryn Kraker with 19 points followed by Senior guard Megan Lukan with 13 and her sister Junior guard Kaili Lukan and Sophomore center Lexi Weitzer with 12 points each.
 
UWGB managed to come out on top against ASU despite going only 1-for-4 on 3-pointers and being outrebounded 34-24.
 
GB Quotes from the Game
 
Coach Borseth - "We got down nine, and then it was kind of a blur from there"
 
Kaili Luken - "We struggled a bit early on in the second half, but it was definitely a team win as we battled back together and pulled through in the end,"   
 
Kaili Luken - "It's incredible that we're having the opportunity to show the basketball world what we have and we're winning these games and making it known that we are supposed to be here,"
 
Coach Borseth - "One thing we do is compete,"
 
Kaili Luken - "It's exciting to have the chance to play one of the best teams in the country. We just need to come out and play hard and show everyone that we deserve to be here. It's going to be a tough challenge for us, but we're going to take advantage of this opportunity."
 
 
 
UConn was clicking on all cylinders offensively in this game. After turning the ball over 23 times in their last game, UConn took much better care of the ball with only 14 TO's. UConn was led by freshman Kia Nurse and RS Sophomore with 16 points each. UConn shot a spectacular 64% in the first half and would have matched that without missing several shots in the last 5 minutes as Geno cleared the bench.   
 
All this was done with Stewart having 4 fouls with 17 minutes left in the game. Geno let her play through this, possibly as practice to play with foul trouble in the future. 
 
Jefferson was a dynamo in this game, playing with great intensity on defense and aggressiveness on offense. And Stokes had her best game to date with a career high SEVEN blocks.  
 
It appears that Vanderbilt is the institution that filed the complain about Geno and Mo'ne Davis. It didn't seem to me that Geno was rubbing it in as the 39 point final margin could have been worse. UConn didn't pressure Vandy on defense for much of the second half, and cleared his bench starting at the 7 minute mark.
 
UConn Quotes from the game
 
Breanna Stewart - “Everyone picked it up and performed. There was no drop-off when someone came off the bench. Whoever came in was productive.

Stewart -  “Between yesterday and building up to today, our effort and intensity throughout the game has been better than it has all season. It’s great to see because we have a long road ahead of us and we have important games coming up starting with tomorrow.” 
 
Geno - "It was really good today. We got a lot accomplished today. We did a lot of things defensively that we wanted to do and we got a lot of people involved offensively. We’re getting a little bit of contribution from everyone and this early in the season it’s a good thing. I don’t think it was anyone in particular but everyone took their turn. Everybody had a hand in it.”
 
And finally Stewart again - “The fact that Morgan was out all last season and she’s back and playing the way that I know she can and showing everyone across the country that this is how Morgan Tuck plays. Kia Nurse is really coming into her own. She’s confident on the court and being more and more aggressive.”
 
That's it for the game reports, on to the CHAMPIONSHIP game.
 
UCONN vs Green Bay
Day: Sunday
Date: Nov 30, 2014
Location: Ft. Meyers, Florida
Time: 8:30
TV: SNY
 
 
Records UConn 4-1, Green Bay 5-1 

Overview

UCONN
 
UConn is coming into this game with a few good things happening. First of all, they are hot. They are passing the ball so well so they are getting great shots and hitting them at a high rate. Secondly, they look to have settled into their starting lineup with Tuck and Nurse firmly ensconced as starters with Stokes and Chong coming off the bench. This appears to be the way they will go for the rest of the season. Stokes looks more comfortable in that role and Chong had a better game against Vanderbilt and I have a good feeling her performances will improve as she adjusts to the bench role.    
 
The Stanford game is firmly in the read view mirror and the ND game (I had to mention it) on Saturday will tell us a lot more than this game against Green Bay.

GREEN BAY
 
Not too shabby in three point shooting they take almost as may as UConn and shoot a terrific 41.4%. It was curious to see that why only shot 4 in their last game, but I don't expect that to happen against UConn. Geno has called Green Bay the "Villanova" of the mid-west. And clearly would have preferred Arizona State. GB is similar to Villanova in a few ways. They like to run clock, they like to take 3's and they have a coach that puts on a show on the sidelines.
 
Green Bay spreads around the scoring and the rebounding with 3 players in double figure scoring. But they don't score a lot or rebound that well. That doesn't bode well for GB against UConn.
 
They start 3 sophomores a junior and a senior. And off the bench they have a freshman and two sophomores. Not as young as Vanderbilt, but certainly not a seasoned team.
 
They are not very big as well. They go 6'3 and 6'2 with two 6' players across the front line.
 
What they are is disciplined and smart.    
     

UConn Starters
 

11 Kia Nurse 6' Freshman Guard

Nurse had another terrific game against Vanderbilt. She scored 16 points and had 4 assists.

MPG 25.2, FG% .615, 3PT% .429, PPG 13.2, RPG 4.6, APG 3.0, 7 steals, 0
blocks


4 Moriah Jefferson 5'7" Junior Guard

Jefferson had a great game against Vanderbilt with 12 points 5 assists and 4 steals. She was all over the court.

MPG 26.4, FG% .526, 3PT% .462, PPG 9.6, RPG 2.0, APG 5.2, 10 steals, 2 blocks

 
23 Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 5'11" Senior Forward

Another solid game. She plays so smartly. 14 points and 3 steals.


MPG 32.2, FG% .591, 3PT% .618, PPG 19.3, RPG 4.8, APG 2.0, 12 steals, 0 blocks


3 Morgan Tuck 6'2" Sophomore Forward


How wonderful is it to see the skills we know were there. She looks very fluid out there. She had a team leading 16 points against Vandy. 


MPG 24.6, FG% .469, 3PT% .250, PPG 13.4, RPG 4.2, APG 3.4, 3 steal, 0 blocks


30 Breanna Stewart 6'4" Junior Forward

Foul trouble hindered her performance some, but she still managed 12 points on 6-10 shooting.

MPG 39.2, FG% .567, 3PT% .444, PPG 16.6, RPG 6.4, APG 3.4, 9 steals, 6 blocks


UConn Bench



41 Kiah Stokes 6'3"  Senior Center

Kia looked better coming off the bench. She was aggressive on defense and set a personal mark with 7 blocks. She added 8 points and 7 rebounds.

MPG 21.6, FG% .538, 3PT% .000, PPG 7.0, RPG 8.4, APG 1.6, 2 steals, 18 blocks


 
12 Saniya Chong 5'8" Sophomore Guard

Chong had a very good game although the stats don't jump out at you. I expect her shots to start falling soon.


MPG 25.4, FG% .472, 3PT% .370, PPG 8.8, RPG 3.6, APG 2.0, 3 steal, 2 blocks


 
15 Gabby Williams 5'11" Freshman Guard

Every game I see something very athletic from Williams. She is a terrific talent. 7 more points and her 3 steals stand out. She is third on the team with 8 steals.


MPG 17.0, FG% .600, 3PT% .000, PPG 7.0, RPG 5.0, APG 0.5, 8 steals, 2 blocks



UConn Complete Stats





 
 
Green Bay Starters
 
 



10  Mehryn Kraker 6' RS Sophomore Forward

MPG 30.8, FG% .574, 3PT% .500, PPG 15.0, RPG 5.0, APG 1.6, 10 steals, 5 blocks
 


2  Tesha Buck 5'11" Sophomore Guard

MPG 25.2, FG% .543, 3PT% .444, PPG 11.7, RPG 1.5, APG 1.7, 8 steals, 2 blocks
 

14  Megan Lukan 5'7" Senior Guard
 
MPG 30.5, FG% .353, 3PT% .111, PPG 7.5, RPG 3.8, APG3.9, 10 steal, 0 blocks
 



4 Kaili Luken 5'10" Junior Guard
 
MPG 32.0, FG% .491, 3PT% .429, PPG 10.0, RPG 2.0, APG 3.6, 9 steals, 0 blocks
 


44  Maria Monke 6'2" RS Sophomore Forward
 

MPG 15.3, FG% .350, 3PT% .333, PPG 2.8, RPG 4.5, APG .5, 2 steals, 1 blocks
 
Green Bay Bench
 



33 Lexi Weitzer 6'3" Sophomore Center
 
MPG 17.0, FG% .667, 3PT% .500, PPG 4.3, RPG 2.8, APG .5, 6 steals, 3 blocks
 

 
24 Allie LeClaire 5'10" Freshman Guard
 
MPG 23.7, FG% .389, 3PT% .294, PPG 8.8, RPG 1.7, APG 3.0, 2 steals, 1 block
 
 

55 Sam Terry 6'  Sophomore Forward/Guard
 
MPG 22.0, FG% .387, 3PT% .357, PPG 7.2, RPG 2.5, APG 0.7, 5 steal, 1 block
 
 
Final Analysis



This guy is NUTS!!!! Enjoy the sideline show today. 
 
While Villanova drove Geno crazy and had some success in the past, the slow down game hasn't worked against UConn in recent memory. UConn will run at every chance and pressure the ball to force the pace. GB is a terrific three point shooting team but appeared to shelve that strategy in the ASU game taking only 4 when they averaged over 20 attempts per game coming into that game. I fully expect them to work the ball around the perimeter, inside/out looking for an open 3 at every chance. It's their best strategy.

I'm pretty sure it won't matter. The only comparison game is Vanderbilt. UConn won by 39. Green Bay lost in OT to Vandy 68-64. They took 36 three's making only 8. If they take that many and hit a higher percentage, they can keep it closer. But UConn is too quick on the perimeter to allow that to happen.

I believe that Green Bay will slow it down enough and hit enough 3's to make it closer than the Vandy game. It should be a 25+ point win for UConn.  

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 11/30/14

In case you don't remember or have been living in a cave the last few months, Geno called Mon'e Davis, the young lady who was the star pitcher for the Philadelphia Little League team in the LL world series. Geno was asked by a friend to give her a congratulatory phone call on her terrific accomplishments. The NCAA said it was a secondary violation after receiving a complaint. Today we found out that the complaint was filed by an SEC team. No surprise there. Read the story here. 
 
So, who was it? Well, we know it was an SEC school. And we might never  know for sure the specific institution. Rumor right now is Vanderbilt. But we do know one thing, it was petty and pathetic. Here is my wish......
 
 
I also want to give a shout out to South Florida, who played a great game against Kentucky. If they continue to play at this level all season, they will receive an NCAA tourney berth. As might Tulane, who blew out Northen Iowa.   
 
Last thing. UConn just beat an SEC team in Vanderbilt by 39 points and it wasn't that close. Vanderbilt was voted 6th best SEC team behind the five currently ranked SEC teams. My point is UConn would be beating 90% of any conference out there by on average 30+ points. So being in the American? It's no different to UConn when you skim off the cream at the top.
 
 
Ladies and Gents, DD looks at the news........

 

 
My Granddaughters love Disney
  

Thanks to my friend JohnnyC who sends me these numbers when he can.

Jasmine Davis Washington 26 points
Vicky McIntyre Oral Roberts 22 points 27 rebounds
Courtni Green Delaware 30 points
Sina King Akron 23 points 11 rebounds
Anita Brown Akron 28 points
Dearica Hamby Wake Forest 40 points
Ivory Crawford Illinois 27 points 10 rebounds 7 steals
Zahna Medley TCU 29 points  
Courtney Williams South Florida 25 points
Lia Galdeira Washington State 33 points
Brionna Jones Maryland 23 points
 
 

Check out the award winning Blogs below

Inane commentary on a game that deserves far better

 By the well known ThisJustIn

And another terrific blog by Mel Greenberg

 Hoops Guru


I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:
 
 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Vanderbilt Game Preview

 
Last nights Game
 
 
 
The game was a little sloppy especially in the first half when UConn had 13 turnovers and Charleston had 15. They finished with 23 and 25. Better but still hard to watch at times.
 
Other than that, Geno was very pleased with the team. He wants his bench players in the last 3-4 minutes to be more aggressive. Overall he felt the energy was "way way" better considering the venue (cold) and the team they were playing (really bad). "there were a lot of good things to like in this game".  I'll go with that critique.  
 
There was a change in the starting lineup with Tuck in for Stokes. I'm sure it was a way to reward Tuck for her excellent play so far this season. And she responded with 11 first half points   
 
I didn't see this supposed lost step. KML had a team high 14 points in the half. She hit 3's. Drove the lane. Ran the break. Played good D. A much better game than against Stanford. 21 points 8 rebounds 5-10 on threes, 4 assists and 5 steals. Geno - "I was most impressed with how K played defense today", "she was just involved in the game". So can we back off of her a little, fans?   
 
Nurse was terrific again in this game. 11 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. 

Williams had her first assist of the season and had an overall good game in her limited minutes.

Stokes had 13 rebounds. She was more aggressive tonight and that is a really good thing!!

That's it for the game report, on to the next game.





UCONN vs Vanderbilt
Day: Saturday
Date: Nov 29, 2014
Location: Ft. Meyers, Florida
Time: 8:30
TV: SNY
 
 
 
Records UConn 3-1, Vanderbilt 5-0 

Overview
 
UConn comes into this game feeling better about themselves. Sure, lots of turnovers, but many due to mistakes of aggression and Geno was pleased with the team effort. More on the Charleston game above.

Vanderbilt has had a very good season to date. After a close first half they handled Minnesota easily last night. They were led by freshman forward Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau (21/14) and freshman guard Paris Kea (8 assists).

Vandy is a very young team, starting 3 freshmen, 1 sophomore and 1 junior with 2 freshmen and a sophomore the first 3 players off the bench. This does not bode well against a team like UConn. If they can keep from being intimidated and hold on to their heads for much of the game, they can keep it closer.     

They have a tendency to fall behind early and the Minnesota game was no exception. They fell behind 14-6 early. If that happens against UConn, say goodnight Irene.

Vandy - Minnesota Box Score

UConn Starters
 

11 Kia Nurse 6' Freshman Guard

Kia looks so comfortable in the starting lineup. She is aggressive and maybe one of the strongest guards UConn has ever had, and that's as a freshman. 11 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds against Charleston.

MPG 24.8, FG% .586, 3PT% .455, PPG 12.5, RPG 5.0, APG 2.8, 6 steals, 0
blocks


4 Moriah Jefferson 5'7" Junior Guard

Jefferson had a "quiet"  game against Charleston, but she was a dynamo on defense for much of the game. 8 points on 4-5 shoot along with 3 steals against Charleston.


MPG 27.3, FG% .500, 3PT% .400, PPG 9.0, RPG 2.0, APG 5.3, 6 steals, 2 block

 
23 Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 5'11" Senior Forward

Back in the starting lineup against Charleston and was the player of the game with 21 points 8 rebounds 4 assists and 5 steals. Very active on defense and hit the floor going for loose balls a few times.

MPG 32.7, FG% .568, 3PT% .607, PPG 21.0, RPG 5.7, APG 2.3, 9 steals, 0 blocks


3 Morgan Tuck 6'2" Sophomore Forward


Another terrific game for Tuck with 15 points on 6-9 shooting. Morgan is becoming more and more aggressive on offense.


MPG 23.8, FG% .415, 3PT% .273, PPG 12.8, RPG 4.5, APG 3.3, 2 steal, 0 blocks


30 Breanna Stewart 6'4" Junior Forward

A real quiet game for Stewart with only 8 points and 3 rebounds but a lot of that was intentional as she appeared to be helping her teammates be more involved this game. I expect a little more against Vandy.

MPG 31.0, FG% .560, 3PT% .500, PPG 17.8, RPG 7.3, APG 3.8, 8 steals, 5 blocks


UConn Bench



41 Kiah Stokes 6'3"  Senior Center

Back in her familiar role of coming off the bench, it took a little while to get comfortable but she was a force on het boards with 13 and played much bigger this game.

MPG 22.5, FG% .455, 3PT% .000, PPG 6.8, RPG 8.8, APG 1.8, 1 steals, 11 blocks


 
12 Saniya Chong 5'8" Sophomore Guard

A little more comfortable coming off the bench for the second time this year, Saniya was aggressive on both offense and defense. After missing her first three 3 pointers I was glad to see her make her last attempt.

MPG 26.8, FG% .482, 3PT% .391, PPG 9.3, RPG 4.0, APG 2.3, 3 steal, 1 block


 
15 Gabby Williams 5'11" Freshman Guard

Another step in the process of growing her game, Gabby had 7 points and 6 rebounds along with her first assist of the year.

MPG 16.7, FG% .647, 3PT% .000, PPG 8.0, RPG 4.7, APG 0.3, 5 steal, 1 blocks



UConn Complete Stats





 
 
Vanderbilt Starters
 
 


1  Rebecca Dahlman 5'9" RS Freshman Guard

Dalhman had 17 points 10 rebounds from the guard position against Minnesota.

MPG 28.6, FG% .395, 3PT% .286, PPG 10.0, RPG 6.4, APG 1.6, 7 steals, 0 block
 

2  Morgan Batey 5'10" Junior Guard

Batey had 7 points and 5 rebounds against Minnesota

MPG 29.8, FG% .426, 3PT% .750, PPG 9.0, RPG 5.2, APG 2.0, 8 steal, 1 blocks
 


3  Paris Kea 5'8" Freshman Guard

Kea had 8 points and 8 assists against Minnesota
 
MPG 31.6, FG% .568, 3PT% .250, PPG 10.4, RPG 2.4, APG 5.2, 5 steal, 2 blocks
 


13 Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau 6'3" Freshman Forward
 
Caron-Goudreau had a team leading 21 points and 14 rebounds against Minnesota.

MPG 27.0, FG% .421, 3PT% .100, PPG 12.4, RPG 9.4, APG 0.6, 3 steal, 9 block
 

22  Marqu'is Webb 6'2" Sophomore Forward
 
Webb had 9 points and 5 rebounds against Minnestoa

MPG 22.2, FG% .620, 3PT% .000, PPG 9.0, RPG 5.2, APG .6, 4 steals, 1 block
 
Vanderbilt Bench
 


33 Christa Reed 5'11" Freshman Guard
 
Reed had 9 points off the bench against Minnesota

MPG 21.2, FG% .407, 3PT% .417, PPG 6.4, RPG 2.4, APG 1.0, 4 steals, 0 blocks
 
 
3 Rachel Bell 5'10" Freshman Guard
 
Bell did not score but had  2 rebounds and 2 assists against Minnesota.

MPG 13.8, FG% .385, 3PT% .467, PPG 5.4, RPG 1.8, APG 0.6, 3 steal, 0 blocks
 
 
 
24 Kristen Gaffney 6'1" RS Sophomore Forward

DNP against Minnesota.
 
MPG 16.5, FG% .643, 3PT% .200, PPG 5.2, RPG 2.5, APG 0.8, 2 steal, 0 blocks
 
 
 
Final Analysis


Looks like this young Vanderbilt team will make some noise in the SEC. But in this game? Not so much. It's hard to believe that the youth on this team will be able to handle the UConn pressure defense that seems to be on the right track again. They do have some good size and strength in the paint. It will be a good battle down low between Caron-Goudreau, Webb vs. Stewart, Tuck and Stokes. But I can only see a good size UConn win. 20+ points.