Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 12/21/15

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Here is DoggyDaddy's UCONN/LSU Pregame Report. Latest word from Geno is Saniya Chong will more than likely miss the LSU game. He is hopeful redshirt sophomore center Natalie Butler can make play. She is still favoring the thumb some, but I have a feeling she will see the court. She did full practices all week.

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I guess as a UConn fan, I'm just spoiled. When UConn plays a 3-7 team at home, my expectations are for a big win. Like 30-50 points. And I am never disappointed.

I just can't imagine an undefeated team like No. 5 Texas playing at home and being in a tough contest before beating now 3-8 Arkansas 61-50. The eleven point margin doesn't tell the entire story. The score was 53-50 with one minute left in the game. Texas scored the last 8 points, the final 6 points from the foul line as Arkansas tried to extend the game.

This was not an impressive win for Texas.

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This was not a good day for the state of Oklahoma.

No. 17 Oklahoma lost to No. 18 Texas A&M, Oklahoma State lost it's first game of the season to No. 20 South Florida and Tulsa lost to Northern Iowa.

Looks like that wind that came sweeping down the plain was a little too strong.

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From David in Naples

Breanna Stewart is currently 7th on UConn's career scoring list with 2,143 points. Next up, she will pass Diana Taurasi with 14 more points. Those points could come in Monday's game against LSU.

The last five players Stewie passed on the list were Kara Wolters, Rebecca Lobo, Bria Hartley, Renee Montgomery and Svetlana Abrosimova. They were all between 2,141-1,865 pts.

After D.T., the next three, will be Kerry Bascon (2,177), Nykesha Sales (2,178) and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (2,178). Third place is only 36 points away.

That would just leave Tina Charles (2,346) and Maya Moore (3,036).

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It's hard to believe that you would find this posted on a UConn board by a UConn fan -

"It must be noted that Diamond's individual skills as a basketball player, as shown last night, are extremely impressive. As an individual performer, I am not sure that Maya was better as a sophomore. Diamond wasn't attempting 3's last night (the whole LV team must have sworn off them for the game), but as far as individual skills are concerned, she could star on any team in WCBB, including UConn. Whether she is truly committed to team play, well, that is another question."

Maya? Are you kidding me?

In her sophomore year, Moore averaged 19.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg, and a 2-1 assists/to ratio. She also shot 52% from the field, 39.8% on threes and 78% from the FT line. Compare that to Deshields to date her sophomore season. 13.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg and a (barely) 1-1 assists/ratio. Right now she is shooting under 40% overall, 26.7% on threes and 67% from the FT line. Is there any comparison?

I agree about the team play, but in spite of her physical gifts I just don't see the basketball skills this poster is talking about.

Skill one - She is fancy but not effective passer with only 28 assists in 11 games. She has more turnovers than assists.

Skill two - She is not a very good shooter. She wasn't her freshman year at UNC and she isn't this season.

Skill three - She is a decent rebounder, but from what I've seen, she just uses her physical gifts to grab her 5.4 rebounds per game. At 6'2" with springs in legs she is an average rebounder at best.

So, what else is there? What individual skills is being talked about?

It's become a familiar refrain concerning LV teams, but at the level of individual skills, Tennessee's top 3 of Russell / Graves / Deshields is probably second in WCBB only to Stewie / Moriah / "Tuck". There is no reason why this should not be a Top 10 team, even Top 5. And 2 members of the Volunteer "triumvirate" should be back next year."

Russell? Really? She hasn't done much this season and certainly hasn't done well against the better competition that Tennessee has seen. I believe that Mitchell, Coates and Wilson are better than the Tennessee trio. I would take Turner, and two of the terrific ND guards over that trio as well.

There are plenty of reasons this team isn't a top 5 or top 10. One reason is the rest of their team. They have not shown the are anywhere near being one of the top teams this season. The Oregon State game certainly didn't prove anything but how overrated the Beavers are.

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So, without further ado!!!

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