UCONN vs. Kansas State
Day: Monday
Date: November 23rd, 2015
Location: XL Center, Hartford
Time: 7:00
TV: SNY
No. 1 UConn Huskies Kansas State Wildcats
Prior Meetings
UConn - 1-0
3/19/12 W 72-26 NCAA tournament 2nd round
Overview
UConn
UConn is coming off one of the more dominant opening game performances, a 100-56 dismantling of then No. 7 Ohio State behind 24 points by Breanna Stewart and 21 for Moriah Jefferson. Gabby Williams added a double-double. The Huskies didn't just dominate on one side of the ball. While they managed to reach triple digits in scoring more impressively they controlled Ohio State's All-American guard Kelsey Mitchell and her terrific running mate Ameryst Alston.
UConn still has three missing pieces and one should be back in this game. Sanyia Chong played the last three minutes in the Ohio State game and should be ready to come off the bench for extended minutes.
I'm sure, after watching how UConn practices, that Geno will point out that KS is 3-0 and playing at a very high level and will have the team ready to continue their terrific play of the first game.
Kansas State
It's been a great start for Kansas State so far for the 2015-16 season. They opened on the road and defeated AAC team Tulsa 75-67 behind 21 points from Kaylee Paige. In their second game they hammered Abilene Christian 76-45 with Louisville transfer Megan Deines scoring 20 points. And last Thursday they beat South Dakota in OT 84-81 to go 3-0 on the season. Their feisty point guard, Kindred Wesemann, scored a career high 28 points.
A great start to the season and I'm sure they are coming to Hartford with a lot of confidence. This is a program on the rise. They just received an LOI from a top international recruit Eternati Willock.
Willock is a 6-foot-2 forward from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada who is rated the No. 33 overall prospect and No. 8 forward in the 2016 recruiting class by ESPN Hoopgurlz. Willock is the first player from Canada to play for the Wildcat women and was ranked the No. 6 international prospect in 2015 by Prospects Nation.
They also averaged 3800 fans for their two home games. It's what WCBB needs.
UConn Starters
11 Kia Nurse
6' Sophomore Guard
Nice start for Nurse. Looked to me like she is bringing her Canadian team aggressiveness back to Connecticut.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 32.0, FG% .667, 3PT% .500, PPG 16.0, RPG 3.0, APG 1.0, 0 steals, 0 blocks
4 Moriah Jefferson
5'7" Senior Guard
5'7" Senior Guard
Can you say POY? Ok...maybe not with Stewart still playing, but wow, Jefferson looked even better in this game than she did to end last season. Crazy.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 37.0, FG% .667, 3PT% .333, PPG 21.0, RPG 3.0, APG 4.0, 2 steals, 0 blocks
3 Morgan Tuck
6'2" RS Junior Forward
6'2" RS Junior Forward
It was good to see Tuck get extended minutes. There was some preseason concern about her knee but I think we are past that. A very sold game in her first outing. I was particularly happy with her lack of hesitation on taking the three. Oh yeah, and making two out of three.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 34.0, FG% .417, 3PT% .667, PPG 15.0, RPG 9.0, APG 2.0, 1 steal, 1 block
30 Breanna Stewart
6'4" Senior Forward
6'4" Senior Forward
Ok....now you can say POY. A great start for Stewart in limited minutes. Right now she is just so comfortable on the court. Stronger in the paint. Smarter as well. We might be seeing a special season.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 25.0, FG% .533, 3PT% .333, PPG 24.0 RPG 9.1, APG 4.0, 0 steals, 4 blocks
15 Gabby Williams
5'11" Sophomore Forward
A superstar in the making. When I read about UConn coming back to the pack after Jefferson and Stewart graduating I just think of Williams with one more full season under her belt. Sorry WCBB.
5'11" Sophomore Forward
A superstar in the making. When I read about UConn coming back to the pack after Jefferson and Stewart graduating I just think of Williams with one more full season under her belt. Sorry WCBB.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 22.0, FG% .556, 3PT% .000, PPG 10.0 RPG 11.0, APG 4.0, 4 steals, 1 block
UConn Bench
Junior Guard
Chong must be going crazy sitting while her knee heals. Against Ohio State, with a few minutes left, Geno stood in front of the seated guard as they had a conversation. We found out after the game that Saniya was okayed for play by the trainer and was asking to play. And Geno obliged. Hopefully she had no set back and was able to practice. I expect her to grab double digit minutes in this game.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 3.0, FG% .000, 3PT% .000, PPG 0.0, RPG 0.0, APG 1.0, 0 steals, 0 blocks
22 Courtney Ekmark 6'
Sophomore Guard
I thought Courtney looked improved in her 9 minutes against Ohio State. She seemed quicker and more confident on the court. I can't wait until we see her play more minutes.
Sometimes I think the incoming expectations is weighing heavy on her mind. Mostly with her shooting struggles. Now, if she wasn't getting open looks, I would be worried. But she is moving well without the ball, getting to the right spots and playing within the UConn offense. All good things. She just needs to relax and when she starts hitting, the dam will break open. She is just too good not to start making threes.
24 Napheesa Collier 6'1
I thought Courtney looked improved in her 9 minutes against Ohio State. She seemed quicker and more confident on the court. I can't wait until we see her play more minutes.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 9.0, FG% 1.000, 3PT% .000, PPG 2.0, RPG 2.0, APG 0.0, 1 steal, 2 blocks
33 Katie Lou Samuelson
6'3" Freshman Guard/Forward
Sometimes I think the incoming expectations is weighing heavy on her mind. Mostly with her shooting struggles. Now, if she wasn't getting open looks, I would be worried. But she is moving well without the ball, getting to the right spots and playing within the UConn offense. All good things. She just needs to relax and when she starts hitting, the dam will break open. She is just too good not to start making threes.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 17.0, FG% .333, 3PT% .000, PPG 2.0, RPG 5.0, APG 0.0, 0 steals, 0 blocks
Freshman Forward/Guard
Collier has had a great start to her career with a solid game against Ohio State and her potential is just oozing out of her. I love her rebounding and defense. She scores in so many ways, I expect her to average double digits if she gets enough minutes.
20 Tierney Lawlor 5'7"
Out for the game
51 Natalie Butler
6'5" RS Sophomore Center
Getting closer!!!!!
35 De'Janae Boykin
6'2" Freshman Forward
Collier has had a great start to her career with a solid game against Ohio State and her potential is just oozing out of her. I love her rebounding and defense. She scores in so many ways, I expect her to average double digits if she gets enough minutes.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 16.0, FG% 1.000, 3PT% .000, PPG 8.0, RPG 5.0, APG 0.0, 3 steals, 0 blocks
Junior Guard
Who else would score UConn's 99th and 100th points? She is just a great shooter and I can't remember too many times she misses an open shot.
22 Briana Pulido 5'7"
Who else would score UConn's 99th and 100th points? She is just a great shooter and I can't remember too many times she misses an open shot.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 2.0, FG% 1.000, 3PT% .000, PPG 2.0, RPG 0.0, APG 0.0, 0 steals, 0 blocks
Senior Guard
I just love watching her run. The former track star is like a deer on the court.
I just love watching her run. The former track star is like a deer on the court.
2015-16 Stats
1 Game - MPG 2.0, FG% .000, 3PT% .000, PPG 0.0, RPG 0.0, APG 0.00, 0 steals, 0 blocks
Out for the game
6'5" RS Sophomore Center
Getting closer!!!!!
6'2" Freshman Forward
UConn freshman forward De’Janae Boykin is practicing!!! She hasn't practiced enough to play on Monday. There is a good chance she will see some floor time in the next game. I feel sorry for the opponents when Boykin can play. She is one tough cookie.
*******************************************************************
Kansas State Head Coach
Jeff Mittie has 470 career wins, 16 postseason appearances, nine conference titles and five conference coach of the year honors in 23 years of coaching. He is entering his second season at Kansas State.
In his first season at Kansas State in 2014-15, KS was 19-14 and made a second round appearance in the Postseason WNIT. The 19 wins were the most by a first year head coach in Kansas State women’s basketball history.
Mittie's defense finished the season ranked 44th in the nation in scoring defense (58.2 ppg allowed), 12th in steals (11.3 spg) and 42nd in blocked shots (4.7 bpg). K-State’s defense ranked first in the Big 12 in steals, second in scoring defense and third in blocked shots.
In his first season at Kansas State in 2014-15, KS was 19-14 and made a second round appearance in the Postseason WNIT. The 19 wins were the most by a first year head coach in Kansas State women’s basketball history.
Mittie's defense finished the season ranked 44th in the nation in scoring defense (58.2 ppg allowed), 12th in steals (11.3 spg) and 42nd in blocked shots (4.7 bpg). K-State’s defense ranked first in the Big 12 in steals, second in scoring defense and third in blocked shots.
Kansas State Starters
(I had to hunt around for player pictures. Their web site has them protected)
(I had to hunt around for player pictures. Their web site has them protected)
22 Breanna Lewis
6'5" Senior Center
2015-16 Stats
6'5" Senior Center
Lewis is a great example of how rankings don't always tell the entire story about a player. She was unranked coming out of high school by every recruiting services.
She started out slow her freshman season but started 24 of 29 games and in 17.8 minutes she averaged 5.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg. She showed her defensive potential with 44 blocks.
Lewis was terrific in her sophomore season. She was the first player in program history with 300 or more points, 150 or more rebounds, 90 or more blocks and 50 or more steals. She recorded four double-doubles and ranked 14th in the nation in blocks per game (2.9). She blocked a school record eight shots against Kansas. Quite the improvement from her freshman year.
This year, in only three games, she is showing that she worked hard on her game in the off season. Check out her stats to date below. I'm looking forward to see how she does against better competition. Much better...lol.
3 games - MPG 26.3, FG% .625, 3PT% .000, PPG 18.0, RPG 6.3, APG 1.0, 4 steals, 11 blocks
15 Megan Deines
6'1" Senior Guard
6'1" Senior Guard
Deines played three years for Jeff Watz at Louisville. In 94 games with 16 starts with an average of 14.1 minutes per games. She carded 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.7 steals per game for her career there. She received an unconditional release, allowing her to play immediately for Kansas State for her senior season.
She is getting exactly what she wants her senior season. A chance to play and lots of minutes. Deines is certainly taking advantage of her new opportunity. And Kansas State is getting exactly what they needed. A big guard that has a very nice outside shot along with senior leadership.
2015-16 Stats
3 games - MPG 28.0, FG% .485, 3PT% .500, PPG 16.3, RPG 2.3, APG 2.0, 4 steals, 3 blocks
3 games - MPG 28.0, FG% .485, 3PT% .500, PPG 16.3, RPG 2.3, APG 2.0, 4 steals, 3 blocks
24 Kindred Wesermann
5'6" Junior Guard
Wesermann is the sparkplug of the team. As a sophomore she started 32 of 33 and registered career-highs in minutes played (1,045), points (264), field goals made and attempted (85-of-276), 3-point field goals made and attempted (52-of-183), free throws made and attempted (42-of-56), total rebounds (68), assists (87) and steals (54).
This season, she is off to a terrific start, averaging 13 points and 5 assists in their three games to date. She is quick and has a very nice three point shot, going 7-16 on the season. She is also 14-14 on free throws.
2015-16 Stats
3 games - MPG 31.3, FG% .375, 3PT% .438, PPG 13.0, RPG 2.0, APG 5.0, 5 steals, 0 blocks
3 games - MPG 31.3, FG% .375, 3PT% .438, PPG 13.0, RPG 2.0, APG 5.0, 5 steals, 0 blocks
13 Kaylee Page
6'2" Sophomore forward
Page initially committed to Nebraska but five games into her freshman season she was given her release from her scholarship and also had released Kaylee's younger sister, Lanie, from the national letter of intent she had signed with the Cornhuskers. I haven't been able to find the reason for this move.
Kaylee was the 2014 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and the No. 42 rated player in the nation according to ESPN Hoopgurlz in the class of 2014 so she has some credentials. And so far, she is playing well in their first three games.
2015-16 Stats
3 games - MPG 28.0, FG% .423, 3PT% .400, PPG 9.7, RPG 5.0, APG 3.7, 3 steals, 3 blocks
3 games - MPG 28.0, FG% .423, 3PT% .400, PPG 9.7, RPG 5.0, APG 3.7, 3 steals, 3 blocks
50 Shaelyn Martin
6' Sophomore Guard
Martin played in and started all 33 games for Kansas State her freshman year. She was one of two Wildcats to start every game. Martin Led the team in total assists (90) and assists per game. She is off to a slow start this season but is still making plays, averaging four assists in the three games to date.
2015-16 Stats
3 games - MPG 30.3, FG% .455, 3PT% .000, PPG 4.7, RPG 6.3, APG 4.0, 3 steals, 5 blocks
3 games - MPG 30.3, FG% .455, 3PT% .000, PPG 4.7, RPG 6.3, APG 4.0, 3 steals, 5 blocks
Ohio State Bench
20 Brianna Craig
5'10" Senior Guard
Craig started 34 games her freshman season and it was her best season of her career to date. She has only started 12 games since then over her next two season. Statistically she had her best season last year and so far has built on that in her senior campaign.
2015-16 Stats
3 games - MPG 21.3, FG% .538, 3PT% .600, PPG 7.7, RPG 2.7, APG .7, 4 steals, 1 block
3 games - MPG 21.3, FG% .538, 3PT% .600, PPG 7.7, RPG 2.7, APG .7, 4 steals, 1 block
10 Kayla Goth
6'1" Freshman Guard
Goth was ranked No. 57 in the nation at her position by ESPN Hoopgurlz. So far her impact at Kansas State has been minimal. She is a big guard off the bench.
2015-16 Stats
3 games - MPG 11.3, FG% .000, 3PT% .000, PPG .3, RPG 2.3, APG 1.0, 1 steals, 1 blocks
0 Jessica Sheble
6'3" Junior Forward
A big body off the bench, she hasn't seen much time on the court her first two years and that looks to continue her junor season.
2015-16 Stats
3 games - MPG 10.0, FG% .125, 3PT% .000, PPG 1.3, RPG 2.3, APG 0.0, 2 steals, 2 blocks
3 games - MPG 10.0, FG% .125, 3PT% .000, PPG 1.3, RPG 2.3, APG 0.0, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Game Analysis
At first blush you might think that an undefeated Kansas State team shooting 45% from the field, 42% on three's, a plus seven turnover margin, averaging 11 steals and 8 blocks per game might give UConn a decent game. After all they have four players shooting 40%, 43.8%, 50% and 60% on threes.
Of course, reality sets in and the difference between UConn and Kansas State is miles long.
Kansas State's stats is built on three weak teams. And even so, they have been outrebounded 43-37 on average. That is a recipe for disaster against a team that runs like UConn. The overall issue I see for the Wildcats is their lack of team speed. Their point guard Wesemann is quick. But the rest of the team appears to be a little on the slow side getting up and down the court.
UConn will take advantage of that and push the pace. They will play aggressive defense, forcing Kansas State to play much faster than they want.
If Kansas State does manage to slow UConn into a more half court game, they don't have the front court size to content with Stewart, Tuck and Williams.
Like almost every team that UConn plays, this is not a good matchup for Kansas State.
Final Prediction
Kansas State is a well coached team. Coach Mittie is working hard to improve this team and they seem even better this year than the 19-14 team from last season. And it won't matter.
Connecticut is just in a different world when it comes to talent and as hard as the Wildcats might play, it won't make up for their lack of team speed on the defensive end. I'm sure that Lewis will get a block or two, but the Huskies are going to run KS off the court until Geno calls off the dogs.
I'm thinking another 40-50 point win. At least the traffic will be light for my ride home with many fans leaving early.
No comments:
Post a Comment