UCONN vs Texas
UCONN vs Texas
Day: Monday
Date: March 28th, 2016
Location: Bridgeport
Time:7:00
Time:7:00
TV: ESPN
1 Seed UConn Huskies 2 Seed Texas
35-0 28-4
Overview
Prior Meetings
UConn - 6-0
H: 1-0; A: 1-0; N: 4-0
4/6/03 W 71-69 N
1/17/05 W 73-57 H2/12/06 W 71-58 A
3/25/08 W 89-55 N
11/17/09 W 83-58 N
3/28/15 W 105-54 N
Overview
Last year UConn met Texas in the Sweet Sixteen game, absolutely destroying the Longhorns 105-54. Prior to that it had been quite a while since these two programs met. The previous time was 2009 in San Antonio Texas (Neutral court?) where the Huskies slammed the then No. 10 Texas Longhorns 83-58 in the second game of the season.
But only last years game has any bearing on how this game will go. UConn is starting 4 of the same players, and Texas has everyone back that contributed in the game last season. But while Texas adds a decent freshman guard, UConn adds a FOY type player and also a terrific forward off the bench. So it would appear to be a similar matchup. Here were my thoughts after last years game.
Well, I sure picked a great game to go to for my first NCAA tournament game. No, it wasn't a close game that UConn won on a buzzer beater. It was another UConn beat down of an overmatched opponent. Only this time is was against a solid Texas team that had a 6'7" post and a 6'5" post for UConn to deal with.
UConn came out strong jumping out to a quick 17-6 lead five minutes into the game. Texas seemed to weather the storm outscoring UConn 13-9 over the next five minutes. With the score 26-19, UConn went on an incredible 24-2 run with Stewart scoring 12 of those points. It was 8 minutes of perfect basketball. Unbelievable.
The half ended with UConn ahead 52-24 and there was no doubt how this was going to end. UConn responded to Geno's challenge (see his quotes below) to be even better in the second half than they were in the first. They came out on an 18-4 run in the first 3:16. That made it 42-6 over 12 minutes. These numbers are staggering.
So, how did UConn do it? Fantastic shooting for one. In the second half 3:16 run, four different players hit three pointers. Geno's game plan to work the ball around and wear out the Texas posts was run to perfection. McGee-Stafford was held to 7 points and 7 rebounds in only 17 minutes. She was just ineffective against UConn. She was unsure of herself, turning the ball over 3 times. Their other post, Kelsey Lang, was held to 6 points on 2-8 shooting. Stokes sent one of her shots flying.
Since that game, the two freshman are now sophomores and both Adkins and McCarty start for the Longhorns. Relegating both Sanders and Lang to the bench.
Texas has only lost 4 games all season, and three of those losses were to Baylor and the other was to Oklahoma. So, they can't be THAT bad...lol.
Texas biggest wins were against Tennessee, Mississippi State, Stanford, West Virginia and Oklahoma State.
UConn and Texas played the same team X times.
Kansas State. Texas won 66-51 and 58-51 while UConn beat them 97-57.
Mississippi State. Texas won 53-47 while UConn beat them 98-38.
Take that for what it's worth!
Here are the pregame press conferences.
Comparative Team Statistic
Leader in Bold
Leader in Bold
UConn Texas
88.5 PPG 71.3
47.7 Defensive PPG 55.6
47.7 Defensive PPG 55.6
40.8 Scoring Margin 15.7
52.8 Field Goal % 43.6
32.9 Defensive FG% 34.9
32.9 Defensive FG% 34.9
37.3 Three Point % 33.1
30.4 Defensive 3PT% 27.8
79.8 Free Throw % 69.530.4 Defensive 3PT% 27.8
41.2 Rebounds/game 41.8
11.7 Rebounding Margin 9.5
21.6 Assists per game 14.1
11.8 Turnover per game 15.9
1.8 Assists/TO ratio .9
12.3 Steals per game 8.0
6.5 Blocks per game 5.2
UConn Starters
30 Breanna Stewart
6'4" Senior Forward
6'4" Senior Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 20 minutes, 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist, 0 TO, 8 steals, 3 blocks
NCAA Game 2 - 34 minutes, 21 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assist, 4 TO, 5 blocks
NCAA Game 3 - 25 minutes, 22 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 TO, 5 blocks, 1 steal
2015-16 Stats
34 Games - MPG 28.4, FG% .585, 3PT% .419 PPG 19.3 RPG 8.6, APG 3.9, 62 steals, 120 blocks
3 Morgan Tuck
6'2" RS Junior Forward
6'2" RS Junior Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 20 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 35 minutes, 20 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assist, 1 TO, 1 steal, 1 block
NCAA Game 3 - 28 minutes, 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 TO, 3 steals
2015-16 Stats
30 Games - MPG 26.1, FG% .506, 3PT% .288, PPG 13.0, RPG 5.9, APG 3.3, 26 steals, 9 blocks
4 Moriah Jefferson
5'7" Senior Guard
5'7" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 23 minutes, 14 points, 0 rebounds, 5 assist, 1 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 34 minutes, 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assist, 0 TO, 3 steals
NCAA Game 3 - 23 minutes, 7 points, 1 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 TO, 4 steals
2015-16 Stats
34 Games - MPG 30.3, FG% .557, 3PT% .432, PPG 12.7, RPG 2.6, APG 5.4, 92 steals, 6 blocks
11 Kia Nurse
6' Sophomore Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 27 minutes, 14 points, 0 rebounds, 6 assist, 0 TO, 4 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 28 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assist, 1 TO
NCAA Game 3 - 26 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 TO
2015-16 Stats
35 Games - MPG 27.6, FG% .441, 3PT% .353, PPG 9.3, RPG 1.9, APG 2.7, 49 steals, 6 blocks
33 Katie Lou Samuelson
6'3" Freshman Guard/Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 25 minutes, 22 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 22 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 TO
NCAA Game 3 - 28 minutes, 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
2015-16 Stats
35 Games - MPG 23.5, FG% .495, 3PT% .389, PPG 11.2, RPG 3.3, APG 2.3, 37 steals, 5 blocks
UConn Bench
2015-16 Stats
51 Natalie Butler
6'5" RS Sophomore Center
12 Saniya Chong
5'8" Junior Guard
15 Gabby Williams
5'11" Sophomore Forward
5'11" Sophomore Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 22 minutes, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 14 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 TO
NCAA Game 3 - 17 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 TO, 3 steals
2015-16 Stats
35 Games - MPG 18.9, FG% .639, 3PT% .000, PPG 9.0 RPG 5.7, APG 1.3, 69 steals, 12 blocks
24 Napheesa Collier
6'1 Freshman Forward/Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 21 minutes, 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
NCAA Game 2 - 13 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
NCAA Game 3 - 14 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
2015-16 Stats
35 Games - MPG 17.5, FG% .522, 3PT% .200, PPG 6.8, RPG 5.3, APG .9, 47 steals, 45 blocks
6'5" RS Sophomore Center
NCAA Game 1 - 2 points, 1 block, 1 TO
NCAA Game 2 - 1 points
NCAA Game 3 - 14 minutes, 6 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks
2015-16 Stats
24 Games - MPG 13.0, FG% .570, 3PT% .000, PPG 6.1, RPG 4.4, APG .9, 13 steals, 20 blocks
5'8" Junior Guard
NCAA game 1 - 12 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebounds, 4 TO
NCAA game 2 - 6 minutes, 8 points, 1 steal
NCAA Game 3 - 10 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
2015-16 Stats
30 Games - MPG 13.4, FG% .424, 3PT% .368, PPG 4.1, RPG 1.4, APG 1.1, 20 steals, 2 blocks
22 Courtney Ekmark
6' Sophomore Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 13 minutes, 1 assists, 2 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 4 minutes
NCAA Game 3 - 9 minutes, 2 points, 1 assist, 1 TO
2015-16 Stats
31 Games - MPG 9.4, FG% .446, 3PT% .361, PPG 2.1, RPG 1.2, APG .7, 12 steals, 1 block
20 Tierney Lawlor
5'7" Junior Guard
22 Briana Pulido
5'7" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 3 minutes, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 2 - 3 minutes
2015-16 Stats
NCAA Game 3 - 3 minutes
28 Games - MPG 3.1, FG% .429, 3PT% .400, PPG .3, RPG 0.1, APG 0.2, 1 steals, 0 blocks
5'7" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 3 minutes, 1 rebound
NCAA Game 2 - 3 minutes, 1 rebound
NCAA Game 3 - 3 minutes, 1 point, 1 assist, 1 block
2015-16 Stats
25 Games - MPG 2.7, FG% .176, 3PT% .100, PPG 0.3, RPG 0.2, APG 0.1, 1 steals, 0 blocks
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Head Coach Karen Aston
Karen Aston returned to the institution where she originally carved her reputation as an energetic leader and relentless recruiter in 2012, becoming just the fourth Texas Women's Basketball head coach in program history.
Since arriving at The University of Texas, Aston has made steps to lay the foundation for the Longhorns’ return to national prominence, which she experienced as an eight-year assistant to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt. Aston was instrumental in the Longhorns’ trip to the 2003 NCAA Final Four and a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in 2002 and 2004.
A native of Benton, Ark., Aston was a two-time first-team all-state selection at Bryant High School. She capped her high school career by leading Bryant to the 1982 Arkansas Class 4A State Championship. Aston earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in physical education from Arkansas-Little Rock in 1987. She played two seasons of basketball at UALR after transferring from Ouachita Baptist.
Texas Starters
11 Brooke McCarty 5'4" Sophomore Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 23 minutes, 12 points, 1 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 36 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assist
NCAA Game 3 - 39 minutes, 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 TO
2015-16: MPG 30.8, FG% .458, 3PT% .412, PPG 11.7, RPG 2.7, APG 2.5, 43 steals, 7 blocks
34 Imani Boyette 6'7" Senior Center
NCAA Game 1 - 34 minutes, 6 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 TO, 31 block
NCAA Game 2 - 23 minutes, 6 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assist, 2 TO, 1 block
NCAA Game 3 - 24 minutes, 18 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 TO, 2 blocks
2015-16: MPG 22.8, FG% .507, 3PT% .333, PPG 11.5, RPG 9.0, APG 0.7, 28 steals, 103 blocks
01 Empress Davenport 5'7" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 23 minutes, 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 18 minutes, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assist, 3 TO
NCAA Game 3 - 33 minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 5 TO
2015-16: MPG 23.2, FG% .308, 3PT% .269, PPG 7.0, RPG 3.1, APG 2.1, 13 steals, 2 blocks
24 Arial Adkins 5'11" Sohpmore Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 25 minutes, 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assist, 3 steals, 2 blocks
NCAA Game 2 - 27 minutes, 22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 TO, 3 steals
NCAA Game 3 - 26 minutes, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 TO, 2 steals
2015-16: MPG 20.6, FG% .531, 3PT% .327, PPG 10.9, RPG 4.0, APG 1.2, 34 steals, 7 blocks
02 Celina Rodrigo 5'8" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 25 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist, 1 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 31 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assist, 1 TO, 1 steal, 3 blocks
NCAA Game 3 - 25 minutes, 2 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist, 2 TO
2015-16: MPG 27.3, FG% .314, 3PT% .348, PPG 5.1, RPG 3.9 APG 3.8, 42 steals, 6 blocks
Texas Bench
Texas Bench
20 Brianna Taylor 5'9" Junior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 11 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 TO, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 17 minutes, 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 TO, 2 steal
NCAA Game 3 - 19 minutes, 3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 TO, 3 steals
2015-16: MPG 19.0, FG% .462, 3PT% .375, PPG 5.9, RPG 4.4, APG 1.0, 43 steals, 5 block
40 Kelsey Lang 6'5" Junior Center
NCAA Game 1 - 11 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 TO
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 6 points, 0 rebounds, 2 assists
NCAA Game 3 - 11 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds
2015-16: MPG 18.8, FG% .524, 3PT% .000, PPG 6.7, RPG 4.5, APG .8, 11 steals, 30 blocks
10 Lashan Higgs 5'9" Junior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 15 minutes, 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 TO, 1 steal, 1 block
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 11 points, 2 rebound, 1 assist, 3 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 3 - 15 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 3 TO, 3 steals
2015-16: MPG 13.1, FG% .409, 3PT% .182, PPG 6.8, RPG 2.9, APG 1.2, 46 steals, 3 blocks
Game Analysis
What is clear in looking at the Texas games in the NCAA is that Boyette playing at a high level. At 6'7" she can dominate the paint and now she is even more aggressive with her offense. Aston moved her two sophomore guards, McCarty and Adkins to the starting lineup. Last season Brady Sanders seemed to be the glue type player for this team, controlling the ball and getting it to the right player at the right time but she is not seeing the same minutes as last season.
Last season there was talk that Texas's height could be a big problem for UConn. They certainly have two skilled big players in Boyette and Lang. But they rarely player together. Other than those two players, Texas goes 5'11", 5'11", 5'9", 5'9", 5'8, 5'7 and 5'4". Other than the rare times Texas plays the two bigs together, they will have four of those guards on the court at the same time. That is big trouble for Texas as it was last year.
I do like the 5'4" McCarty. I said this last year, McCarty is a better version of South Carolina's Bianca Cuevas. More under control and a better feel for the game. And this year she is hitting 41% her threes and takes by far the most of their long range shots. She is leading the Longhorns is scoring. Jefferson will more than likely be defending her. That will be a fun matchup.
The facilitator of the team is Celina Rodrigo, who has 133 assists and only 74 assists. She will have to be on the top of her game and not turn the ball over and find her teammates in good shooting positions. I'm sure Nurse will keep her out of her comfort zone. Unless Kia is covering Adkins, who can really get to the basket. Not a great shooter, Adkins is shooting 51% from the field because most of those are at the rim.
There is one BIG difference this season and that is the absence of Stokes. She was really effective last year against Texas in her 19 minutes with 4 blocks. It will up to Stewart and Tuck to defend the post and they are more than capable.
UConn will continue to use the same formula that has propelled them to this point....pressure on the guards, aggressive defense at all times and lots of Stewart. In the last matchup, Stewart dominated the game with 31 points and 12 rebounds along with 7 assists and 3 blocks. Moriah was also amazing with her shooting 10-12 from the field leading to 25 points and her 6 assists and 3 steals helped push UConn to their eventual 51 point margin.
I do like the 5'4" McCarty. I said this last year, McCarty is a better version of South Carolina's Bianca Cuevas. More under control and a better feel for the game. And this year she is hitting 41% her threes and takes by far the most of their long range shots. She is leading the Longhorns is scoring. Jefferson will more than likely be defending her. That will be a fun matchup.
The facilitator of the team is Celina Rodrigo, who has 133 assists and only 74 assists. She will have to be on the top of her game and not turn the ball over and find her teammates in good shooting positions. I'm sure Nurse will keep her out of her comfort zone. Unless Kia is covering Adkins, who can really get to the basket. Not a great shooter, Adkins is shooting 51% from the field because most of those are at the rim.
There is one BIG difference this season and that is the absence of Stokes. She was really effective last year against Texas in her 19 minutes with 4 blocks. It will up to Stewart and Tuck to defend the post and they are more than capable.
UConn will continue to use the same formula that has propelled them to this point....pressure on the guards, aggressive defense at all times and lots of Stewart. In the last matchup, Stewart dominated the game with 31 points and 12 rebounds along with 7 assists and 3 blocks. Moriah was also amazing with her shooting 10-12 from the field leading to 25 points and her 6 assists and 3 steals helped push UConn to their eventual 51 point margin.
Final Prediction
One thing I didn't mentioned is foul trouble. If either post player for Texas gets in foul trouble, this game could get out of hand quickly. And even if they don't that could still happen. It's not like last years game didn't happen. I'm sure that Texas knows what they are in for.
Their defense is better than last seasons but I don't think Texas has the defense to slow down UConn, so I'm looking for 85-90 points for them. I can't see Texas scoring more than 50-55 points against this incredible UConn defense.
That means a low of a 30 point margin and a high of a 40 point margin. I'll split the difference and go with UConn by 35+. Same prediction as last year. I hope I'm wrong in the same way!!!
Their defense is better than last seasons but I don't think Texas has the defense to slow down UConn, so I'm looking for 85-90 points for them. I can't see Texas scoring more than 50-55 points against this incredible UConn defense.
That means a low of a 30 point margin and a high of a 40 point margin. I'll split the difference and go with UConn by 35+. Same prediction as last year. I hope I'm wrong in the same way!!!
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