UCONN vs Maryland
Day: Monday
Date: December 28st, 2015
Location: MSG
Time: 8:30
TV: ESPN2
No. 1 UConn Huskies No. 6 Maryland Terrapins
9-0 11-0
Prior Meetings
UConn leads the series 4-0
12/3/12 W 63-48 Home
3/30/13 W 76-50 Neutral
11/15/13 W 72-55 Away
4/5/15 W 81-58 Neutral
Above is last year's meeting.
UConn comes off another long layoff after defeating LSU last Monday 86-40 without Breanna Stewart in the lineup. It was a great win without their best player. Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson showed their leadership in this game, while Collier and Samuelson showed that they are growing every game in their freshman season. At 9-0, UConn has now won 46 straight games since the fluky loss to Stanford last season. It's amazing to think the would have won 94 straight games without that game.
UConn will hopefully be with both Sanyia Chong, who has been in and out of the lineup with an ITV Band issue with her knee, and Natalie Butler, who hasn't seen any action since her surgery on a thumb ligament injury. I can 't imagine how frustrated the two player are not being able to contribute, especially Butler who hasn't played a minute. I am sure some of the more negative fans think Butler will never play, but this is a great game for her to see a few minutes. Maryland has some size where 5-10 minutes would be useful.
Maryland come into this game undefeated at 11-0. They have some great stats, including their 90 points per game, which leads the country. All of this has to be put in perspective by the weakness of their schedule. They have only played two decent teams, formerly ranked Syracuse (coached by that coward) and South Dakota State. Other than that their great record and stats have been against 9 very weak teams. That being said, led by Walker-Kimbrough, Moseley and Jones along with the freshman from Connecticut, Gillespie, Maryland has had a terrific first 11 games.
Like UConn, Maryland has an injury to a valuable member of the team, Pfirman, who has been out since the Syracuse game with a hamstring injury. No word on her availability as of yet. I'll update this preview when I hear more.
UConn will hopefully be with both Sanyia Chong, who has been in and out of the lineup with an ITV Band issue with her knee, and Natalie Butler, who hasn't seen any action since her surgery on a thumb ligament injury. I can 't imagine how frustrated the two player are not being able to contribute, especially Butler who hasn't played a minute. I am sure some of the more negative fans think Butler will never play, but this is a great game for her to see a few minutes. Maryland has some size where 5-10 minutes would be useful.
Maryland come into this game undefeated at 11-0. They have some great stats, including their 90 points per game, which leads the country. All of this has to be put in perspective by the weakness of their schedule. They have only played two decent teams, formerly ranked Syracuse (coached by that coward) and South Dakota State. Other than that their great record and stats have been against 9 very weak teams. That being said, led by Walker-Kimbrough, Moseley and Jones along with the freshman from Connecticut, Gillespie, Maryland has had a terrific first 11 games.
Like UConn, Maryland has an injury to a valuable member of the team, Pfirman, who has been out since the Syracuse game with a hamstring injury. No word on her availability as of yet. I'll update this preview when I hear more.
Stat by Stat Comparison
Leader is bolded.
UConn Maryland
88.5 Points Per Game 90.5
55.0 Opp Points Per Game 49.3
.547 Field Goal % .517
.365 Opp Field Goal % .297
.352 3 Point Field Goal % .403
.362 Opp 3 Point Field Goal % .260
.746 Free Throw % .771
39.6 Rebounds Per Game 50.1
29.0 Opp Rebounds Per Game 28.6
22.1 Assists Per Game 20.4
13.5 Turnovers Per Game 14.5
1.6 Assists/Turnover Ratio 1.4
1.6 Assists/Turnover Ratio 1.4
13.5 Steals Per Game 9.6
5.6 Blocks Per Game 5.7
Wow, Maryland is really dominating the stats. I'll say it again, they have played a pretty weak schedule, so take them with a grain of salt.
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UConn Starters
30 Breanna Stewart
6'4" Senior Forward
6'4" Senior Forward
Stewart sat out the last game with a slight ankle injury. She could have and would have played if the game was against a better opponent where the game meant anything. She will be ready for Maryland.
Last years game against Maryland - 39 minutes 25 points 8 rebounds 3 assists 4 blocks
Last years game against Maryland - 39 minutes 25 points 8 rebounds 3 assists 4 blocks
2015-16 Stats
8 Games - MPG 31.5, FG% .626, 3PT% .444, PPG 22.9 RPG 8.1, APG 4.4, 19 steals, 26 blocks
8 Games - MPG 31.5, FG% .626, 3PT% .444, PPG 22.9 RPG 8.1, APG 4.4, 19 steals, 26 blocks
3 Morgan Tuck
6'2" RS Junior Forward
6'2" RS Junior Forward
Tuck had a terrific game against LSU and is playing better and better as the season progresses.
Last years game against Maryland - 38 minutes 24 points 9 rebounds
2015-16 Stats
9 Games - MPG 31.3, FG% .528, 3PT% .381, PPG 15.3, RPG 5.6, APG 3.4, 8 steals, 6 blocks
4 Moriah Jefferson
5'7" Senior Guard
5'7" Senior Guard
Senior leadership just pours our of every pore of Moriah. With Stewart out, she made sure everyone knew they had to do their part in keeping UConn playing the way Geno wants. I just love to watch her and the coach talk on the sidelines. So much like Bird in her leadership from the point.
Last years game against Maryland - 38 minutes, 14 points 5 assists
2015-16 Stats
9 Games - MPG 32.6, FG% .576, 3PT% .367, PPG 13.1, RPG 2.9, APG 5.8, 26 steals, 0 blocks
11 Kia Nurse
6' Sophomore Guard
Slowly but surely Nurse is showing the fans the player we saw playing for Team Canada this past summer. Her outside shot is still not where she wants but the rest of the game is solid.
Last years game against Maryland - 26 minutes 5 points 2 rebounds 0 assists
2015-16 Stats
9 Games - MPG 27.8, FG% .479, 3PT% .321, PPG 10.1, RPG 2.4, APG 3.3, 18 steals, 1 block
24 Napheesa Collier
6'1 Freshman Forward/Guard
What a breath of fresh air Napheesa brings to the team. As Jefferson said, the ball just finds her. She does what the team needs. Rebounding and defense. For a freshman to do that is very impressive.
2015-16 Stats
9 Games - MPG 21.7 FG% .479, 3PT% .000, PPG 6.5, RPG 6.2, APG 1.1, 24 steals, 11 blocks
UConn Bench
15 Gabby Williams
5'11" Sophomore Forward
Gabby had a tough time in her first game off the bench this season, but adjusted well against LSU. I would expect her to embrace the role eventually. I certainly don't expect her to play only six minutes against Maryland like she did last year.
5'11" Sophomore Forward
Gabby had a tough time in her first game off the bench this season, but adjusted well against LSU. I would expect her to embrace the role eventually. I certainly don't expect her to play only six minutes against Maryland like she did last year.
Last years game against Maryland - 6 minutes 3 points 1 rebound 1 assist
2015-16 Stats
9 Games - MPG 19.3, FG% .603, 3PT% .000, PPG 9.3 RPG 6.9, APG 1.2, 18 steals, 7 blocks
33 Katie Lou Samuelson
6'3" Freshman Guard/Forward
She is getting there. I keep waiting for her breakout shooting game, but her overall game keeps getting better and better. Her defense is surprisingly good.
2015-16 Stats
9 Games - MPG 18.3, FG% .404, 3PT% .250, PPG 7.4, RPG 2.9, APG 2.1, 8 steals, 0 blocks
22 Courtney Ekmark
6' Sophomore Guard
Courtney got some good minutes with Stewart out last game. It was rough when Geno screamed at her at the end of the first half, but she showed her toughness with a solid performance in the second half.
In last years game against Maryland she only played 1 minute.
2015-16 Stats
7 Games - MPG 10.7, FG% .615, 3PT% .429, PPG 3.0, RPG 1.4, APG 0.9, 2 steals, 1 block
20 Tierney Lawlor
5'7" Junior Guard
She is still Miss Perfect from three point land but is now only 1-2 on free throws.
2015-16 Stats
7 Games - MPG 3.0, FG% 1.000, 3PT% 1.000, PPG 1.3, RPG 0.1, APG 0.3, 0 steals, 0 blocks
5'7" Senior Guard
2015-16 Stats
6 Games - MPG 2.2, FG% .200, 3PT% .200, PPG 0.0, RPG 0.0, APG 0.2, 0 steals, 0 blocks
Out for the game?
5'8" Junior Guard
I'm hopeful she will be ready for the Maryland game. She only played 2 minutes last year, but remember, it was in the final four where Geno shrinks his lineup. If healthy, she will get 15+ minutes.
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2015-16 Stats
6 Games - MPG 11.4, FG% .412, 3PT% .364, PPG 3.1, RPG 1.1, APG .4, 0 steals, 1 block
6'5" RS Sophomore Center
I am so over her not playing. It's time Natalie!!!! It's time.
UCONN TEAM STATS
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Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Team Preview Video Above
Ahh....Coach Freese. One of the coaches that UConn fans love to hate. It goes back to some of the recruiting wars that UConn has had with Maryland since Freese became the Terps head coach in 2002. She has done a terrific job bringing in great players.
• No. 10 2002-03 Recruiting Class
• No. 2 2003-04 Recruiting Class
• No. 4 2004-05 Recruiting Class
• No. 7 2005-06 Recruiting Class
• No. 2 2006-07 Recruiting Class
• No. 10 2007-08 Recruiting Class
• No. 15 2008-09 Recruiting Class
• No. 2 2010-11 Recruiting Class
• No. 6 2011-12 Recruiting Class
• No. 4 2012-13 Recruiting Class
• No. 11 2013-14 Recruiting Class
• No. 10 2014-15 Recruiting Class
Four years later, in 2006, Freese won a National Championship for Maryland, a terrific accomplishment. She has won 30+ games five times and was in the final four the last two seasons. She has 408 wins in her 16 years of coaching.
Here are some of her awards:
• Associated Press National Coach of the Year (2002)
• WBCA Regional Coach of the Year (2012, 2013, 2015)
• ACC Coach of the Year (Coaches' 2013)
• Big Ten Coach of the Year (2002, 2015)
• No. 10 2002-03 Recruiting Class
• No. 2 2003-04 Recruiting Class
• No. 4 2004-05 Recruiting Class
• No. 7 2005-06 Recruiting Class
• No. 2 2006-07 Recruiting Class
• No. 10 2007-08 Recruiting Class
• No. 15 2008-09 Recruiting Class
• No. 2 2010-11 Recruiting Class
• No. 6 2011-12 Recruiting Class
• No. 4 2012-13 Recruiting Class
• No. 11 2013-14 Recruiting Class
• No. 10 2014-15 Recruiting Class
Four years later, in 2006, Freese won a National Championship for Maryland, a terrific accomplishment. She has won 30+ games five times and was in the final four the last two seasons. She has 408 wins in her 16 years of coaching.
Here are some of her awards:
• Associated Press National Coach of the Year (2002)
• WBCA Regional Coach of the Year (2012, 2013, 2015)
• ACC Coach of the Year (Coaches' 2013)
• Big Ten Coach of the Year (2002, 2015)
Maryland Starters
32 Shatari Walker-Kimbrough
5'11" Junior Guard
Last years game against UConn - 28 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists
2015-16 Stats
• Spokane Regional MOP (2015)
She was ranked the No. 38 player by Blue Star Report and the No. 6 wing and No. 43 overall player in the class of 2013, according to ESPN HoopGurlz.
• AP All-America Honorable Mention (2015)
• All-Big Ten First Team (Media, Coaches-2015)
• Big Ten Player of the Week Honor Roll (11/24/14; 12/16/14; 1/5/15)
• ACC Rookie of the Week (12/29/13; 1/6/14)
She was ranked the No. 38 player by Blue Star Report and the No. 6 wing and No. 43 overall player in the class of 2013, according to ESPN HoopGurlz.
Frese on Walker-Kimbrough: “Shatori can be one of the best perimeter players we’ve had here at Maryland. She has all the tools and the drive to be great. Now it’s just a matter of mastering the game. It’s hard to not be really excited about Shatori’s future. I want to help her achieve all her dreams.”
Last years game against UConn - 28 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists
11 games - MPG 28.0, FG% .603, 3PT% .556, PPG 19.2, RPG 6.0, APG 3.1, 27 steals, 16 blocks
42 Brionna Jones
6'3" Junior Center
• Spokane All-Region Team (2015)
• All-Big Ten First Team (Coaches - 2015)
• All-Big Ten Second Team (Media - 2015)
• Big Ten Player of the Week Honor Roll (12/30/14; 1/19/15; 2/24/15)
• Academic All-Big Ten Team ( 2015)
Frese on Jones: “Bri is everything a coach could want and we are incredibly proud of how much she achieved last season. And it’s just the beginning, because she has a chance to have a really terrific career here. She is a force around the basket and has a pair of the best hands you’ll see. She also is an outstanding student. She’s a great example of a great family raising a great young lady.”
Last years game against UConn - 24 minutes, 14 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 23.3, FG% .694, 3PT% .000, PPG 14.0, RPG 8.3, APG 1.4, 9 steals, 15 blocks
11 games - MPG 23.3, FG% .694, 3PT% .000, PPG 14.0, RPG 8.3, APG 1.4, 9 steals, 15 blocks
15 Chloe Pavlech
5'9" Senior Guard
- All-ACC Freshmen Team (2013)
- ACC Rookie of the Week (1/27/13)
- Academic All-Big Ten (2015)
Ranked No. 23 point guard on ESPN.com's Hoop Gurlz rankings with a scouts grade of 91.
Last years game against UConn - 8 minutes, 3 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 20.2, FG% .172, 3PT% .176, PPG 1.9, RPG 1.5, APG 2.9, 11 steals, 0 blocks
01 Kiah Gillespie
6'2" Freshman Forward
Kiah was named a McDonald's and Parade All-American. She was also rated the No. 14 overall player by Prospect Nation, No. 24 by the All Star Girls Report and Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and No. 27 by ESPN’s Hoop Gurlz. She was also the No. 2 player at her position by Prospect Nation.
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 19.2, FG% .442, 3PT% .310, PPG 10.2, RPG 4.9, APG 1.5, 8 steals, 6 blocks
02 Kiara Leslie
6' Sophomore Guard
Frese on Leslie: “We’re really excited about what we’ve seen from Kiara early on. She has some terrific qualities and as she grows, she can really make an impact on the court for us. She’s a very powerful player. She missed her senior year of high school, so we’re working on getting her up to speed. I think she’ll get there, but we have to be patient.”
Kiara was ranked No. 52 overall player, No. 8 guard and earned scouts grade of 96 by ESPN’s Hoop Gurlz. She was also ranked No. 58 overall by All Star Girls Report.
Last years game against UConn - 4 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 16.6, FG% .415, 3PT% .412, PPG 7.2, RPG 4.7, APG 1.7, 11 steals, 5 blocks
Maryland Bench
03 Brene Moseley
5'7" Red Shirt Senior Guard
- ACC All-Freshman Team (2012)
- USBWA All-Freshman Team (2012)
- ACC All-Academic Team (2012)
- ACC Rookie of the Week (Nov. 21)
Frese on Moseley: “Brene had a terrific offseason for us. It’s been a pleasure watching her grow and leadership qualities emerge. She’s really been tested by injuries, but she has mental and physical strength that really sets her apart. Her mind for the game has always been sharp. She also has the ability to make plays on the court and she’s never been scared of the moment.”
ESPN HoopGurlz -- Four stars, No. 70 player in 2011 class, No. 18 guard, 93 rating. She missed her senior year due to a knee injury.
Last years game against UConn - 21 minutes, 12 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 22.6, FG% .659, 3PT% .591, PPG 14.4, RPG 2.5, APG 6.4, 12 steals, 1 block
12 Kristen Confroy
5'9" Sophomore Guard
Frese on Confroy: “We’re excited by what we’ve seen from Kristen in fall workouts. She has really immersed herself in our Basketball Performance program. She is a very solid player who can hit shots, might surprise you with how well she can attack the basket and she makes good decisions.”
Ranked the No. 51 overall player by Blue Star and No. 55 by All Star Girls Report.
Last years game against UConn - 4 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 21.8, FG% .364, 3PT% .367, PPG 6.7, RPG 3.6, APG 1.5, 14 steals, 0 blocks
11 games - MPG 21.8, FG% .364, 3PT% .367, PPG 6.7, RPG 3.6, APG 1.5, 14 steals, 0 blocks
05 Malina Howard
6'4" Senior Center
- Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2015)
- All-Big Ten Academic Team (2015)
- All-ACC Freshmen Team (2013)
- All-ACC Academic Squad (2013, 2014)
Frese on Howard: “Malina sets the example every day as to how you become a winner in life. She leads the way in so many categories and she is an absolute pleasure to have at our university. She works so hard and cares so much, there’s nobody I want more to have a great season.”
Top-ranked post player coming out of 2012 class...No. 6 overall recruit on ESPN.com's Hoop Gurlz rankings with a scouts grade of 97.
Last years game against UConn - 22 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 17.8, FG% .463, 3PT% .000, PPG 4.5, RPG 4.5, APG .9, 3 steals, 5 blocks
11 games - MPG 17.8, FG% .463, 3PT% .000, PPG 4.5, RPG 4.5, APG .9, 3 steals, 5 blocks
34 Brianna Fraser
6'3" Freshman Forward
Fraser was named a McDonald's All-American and rated the No. 12 overall player by the All Star Girls Report, No. 15 overall by ESPN’s Hoop Gurlz and Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She was also rated the No. 3 player at her position by ESPN.
2015-16 Stats
11 games - MPG 13.8, FG% .425, 3PT% .333, PPG 5.5, RPG 4.0, APG .9, 3 steals, 5 blocks
Out for the game?
Tierney has missed the last 6 games with a hamstring injury. Looking for an update.
22 Tierney Pfirman
6'2" Senior Forward
- Terrapin Classic All-Tournament Team (2013)
- ACC Rookie of the Week (12/10/12)
- Academic All-Big Ten Team (2015)
Pfirman was the No. 5 Forward in the 2012 class and No. 22 overall player, according to ESPN.com's Hoop Gurlz rankings.
Last years game against UConn - 19 minutes, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists
2015-16 Stats
5 games - MPG 14.6, FG% .543, 3PT% .333, PPG 8.6, RPG 4.0, APG 1.0, 5 steals, 0 blocks
Game Analysis
It's so hard to analyze a team this early in the season when they haven't played any top teams. With the best teams that Maryland played being two teams not in the top 25, Maryland has had an easy time thus far this season.
That being said, we do have last years matchup to help guide this game analysis. Many of the same players are back and it's really only 11 games ago for UConn and 13 games ago for Maryland since they last met.
Maryland loses Mincy and Brown, the starting guards from last years team. Mincy graduated but the loss of Brown, who transferred, is a big blow. I believe she was the best player on the team last season. Maryland fans believe that Shartari Walker-Kimbrough was that player. She was certainly that player over the summer in USA basketball play.
Starting in the backcourt this year is SWK and Chloe Pavlech. No offense to Pavlech, but that is quite the drop off from last years starters. And it will be a big problem for Maryland in matching up with UConn's two starting guards, Jefferson and Nurse. Kiara Leslie also starts at guard and the sophomore is a nice talent. She is certainly playing better in her second season, but she will be guarded by Collier, who has been playing some amazing defense.
Maryland will bring in their second leading scorer off the bench in Brene Moseley and her three point shooting has been off the charts at almost 60%. Then again, she hasn't seen a defense like UConn and my guess is that Jefferson will be in her grill when Moseley is in the game. It won't be easy for her to get the open looks she clearly has been getting against the weak opponents she has been seeing.
Maryland's front court has some size in starting center 6'3" Briona Jones and 6'4" Malina Howard coming off the bench in her senior season. As an aside, if you want to talk about HS ranking, Howard was the highest ranked center and No. 6 overall player in her class. She certainly has not lived up to those high expectations.
Jones was excellent last season but struggled defensively when faced with UConn in the final four last year. She doesn't have the mobility and stamina to handle UConn's front court of Stewart and Tuck. With Tuck's finally hitting her stride and promise outside shot neither Jones or Howard can cover her. Stewart is just a matchup nightmare for Maryland as she showed last year. I don't expect anything different. When they met last year, Howard started the game and covered Stewart and Jones guarded Tuck. If Pfirman plays, she will get time guarding either Stewart or Tuck. But she will not fair much better.
The freshman Gillespie at 6'2" should see some time in both the front and backcourt coming off the bench and is very talented. She can do little of everything. She can shoot, pass and rebound very well. Can she do it at this level? She had three great games start the season but has slumped the last several games. This will be a huge step up for her.
A Maryland fan (like South Carolina fans last season) brought up the depth advantage that they believe the Terps have. That Maryland will go 11 deep. I'll say to them what I said to the South Carolina fans. Your teams can go 11 deep against weaker competition but if you play the weaker players at the end of the bench, this game will be over quickly.
I don't think you will see much zone against Maryland by the UConn defense. They have shooters that have been very successful thus far this season. The Huskies will pressure Maryland tose e how they handle it. I'm sure there will be times that the Terps will get open threes off the pressure if they break it cleanly. If they make a few, Geno might change tactics, but otherwise it could be a long night for the Maryland guards.
Once Maryland is in their half court offense, they will be screening and trying to get in the lane for a layup or a kick out for open three point shots. UConn's quick switching defenses will help prevent open looks and Stewart will leave her man to help protect the basket. It's a winning formula.
UConn will try to create offense from the defense as they usually do. In their half court offense, UConn will work from the inside out, making entry passes to Stewart and Tuck for post moves in the paint or kick out passes for the open three. I can see plenty of open looks for Katie Lou. But you will see a lot of Stewart and Tuck on the perimeter, opening up the lane for drives by Jefferson and Nurse or post ups by Collier and Williams.
I'd add in some words about Chong and Butler but I have no idea if they are playing so I'll hold off for now. Certainly, I'd like to see how Butler fits in before commenting.
Final Prediction
Maryland will have to do a much better job than last year with what I believe is less talent than they had on the team last year. SWK is a dynamic player but even with her, the backcourt took a big hit with the transfer of Lexi Brown and graduation of Lauren Mincey. I don't believe that can be made up with improvements from the rest of the roster and the addition of Gillespie.
UConn is at least as good as last season and coming off a big win over LSU without having Stewart available should give the rest of the roster additional confidence.
Playing in the Garden is always like a home game. This all adds up to a big UConn win.
25+ should be about right.
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