Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 12/20/15

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Hot off the presses. DoggyDaddy's UCONN/LSU Pregame Report.

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AAC News - In a tough loss, East Carolina lost to a pretty good Ohio team, 64-61.

But better news for the American conference, Memphis beat Big Ten team Illinois, who came into the game with only one loss to No. 23 Miami.

And SMU beat the PAC12 team, Arizona, who also had only one loss coming into this game. SMU held the Wildcats to only six points in the fourth quarter. SMU was 7-23 last season.

It's clear the AAC is an improved conference.

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Well, that was a quick foray into the top 25 for St. John's University. After losing their first game of the season to UCLA, the Johnnies won eight straight, including a four point win over at the time No. 18 South Florida. After beating a terrible Central Florida team by 28 they entered last weeks poll at No. 25.

In their first game after the poll, the lost to Duquesne 76-57. St. John's had a 33-30 lead before being outscored 46-24 in the second half. Bye Bye SJU.

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Congrats to Tennessee for finally beating a top ten team on the road. I believe it's been a few years. They defeated an overrated Oregon State team 53-50. I'm sure the Tennessee fans are feeling better about their team, but really, should they?

They had a 17 point lead at the half, 35-18. They almost gave all of it back in the second half as OSU closed to within one point a few times.

They only scored 18 points in the second half.

They were outrebounded 48-33.

They were 1-6 from the FT line.

They were 0-2 from the three point arc.

It's clear to me that while Tennessee's defense was good, Oregon State was just awful. Jamie Weisner was 0-10 from beyond the ark and Sydney Wiese was 3-10. That's a combined 3-20.

No, I don't think I would be that encouraged about Tennessee.

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From David in Naples

A tale of two Tucks....

Morgan Tuck has often played in the shadow of Stewie and MoJeff. But, just like those two All Americans, she keeps getting better. The improvement between the first four games this year and the last four is proof.

1. Morgan shot 17-35 or 48.5% inside the 3 pt arc in the first 4 games. She went 28-46 from there in the last 4 games. That is 61%.
2. Tuck scored 49 pts in those first 4 games and then raised that to 75 pts against Notre Dame, FSU, DePaul and Colgate.
3. Her 18 offensive rebounds is 2nd to Stewie's 19.
4. Morgan averaged 33.5 minutes per game over the last 4 games vs less than 30 previously.
5. Although she doesn't lead the team in any statistical category, she is 2nd in pts (124), 2nd in made free throws (16), 3rd in rebounds (46) and 3rd in assists (29).

Tuck is a grinder, working under the basket and in the lane on both offense and defense. She is a team leader who keeps getting better and better.
Go Morgan..!!

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A little more on Mississippi State. I hammered them pretty good the other day about their embarrassing schedule. I mean really embarrassing. As embarrassing as when you have toilet paper dragging on your shoe or you tucked your shirt into your underwear and it's sticking out as your walk back to your table at a fancy restaurant. Not that has ever happened to me.

Saturday, Mississippi played a decent team in Florida Gulf Coast International. Mississippi was pretty blah in a game the 9th rated team should win handily. But they only one by 5, 65-60. FGCU was able to score 40 points in the paint.

Hey, SMU plays them soon, maybe that AAC powerhouse can show them and thing or two!!

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So, without further ado!!!

Ladies and Gents, DD looks at the news........