Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 11/30/16

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I figured that a short Post Game report on the Chattanooga game and a long DePaul Pregame report would be better than the opposite .

DePaul Pre Game is up!!!

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Well, I was able to attend my second game of the season, and I have to say, I've had better times. The company was great, sitting with my two good friends , Bruce and Lesley. And my wife was with me as well. I also got to see my brother, who surprised me and my buddie Dan, who I'm still pissed off at....well...not really.

Anyways, the game? I've seen better. Yes, UConn won 80-43. There were some good individual performances, but overall, they were sloppy on offense, disinterested on defense and just didn't seem to be into playing the entire game.

Was it the Thanksgiving break? Possible. UConn has struggled after the break before. It's usually the Christmas break as that one is longer.

Was it the missing dynamo, Crystal Dangerfield? Also possible. She brings such a unique skill set to the team. They could have used her spark.

The game started out slowly for the Huskies. Chattanooga ran out to a 5-0 lead. UConn came back and it was back and forth until the Mocs took a 14-11 lead with 4:24 left in the 1st quarter. The arena was quiet and the team seemed off. But UConn turned 6 Chattanooga turnovers into a 10-0 run taking a 21-14 lead at the end of the quarter.

I was feeling better and was hopeful that the Huskies had figured it out. But the second quarter was more of the same, just missing enough shots and letting Chattanooga stay close. They were only down 12 at the half 43-31.

I guess Geno was able to get their attention at halftime. I think the paint was melting off the walls of the locker room. UConn only allowed 5 points in the 3rd quarter and 7 points in the 4th quarter. That led to plenty of scoring opportunities that the Huskies never really took advantage of as they only scored 37 points in the second half.

Performance wise, Napheesa Collier was clearly the best player on the court with her 23 points on 11-12 shooting, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Gabby Williams had another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds along with 4 steals. And Katie Lou Samuelson hit a variety of shots, but going only 1-4 on threes while scoring 19 points showing everyone that her offensive game is really diversifying.

I loved the contribution of Molly Bent. She played 18 minutes, going 2-3 from the field, 1-2 on threes, grabbing 4 rebounds with 1 assists and only 1 TO.

Butler had 15 minutes. I think she might have been under the weather. She played a couple of minutes in the first half. She ran off the court and after a hand slap from Geno she ran right to the locker room. A UConn manager followed her. Maybe a stomach bug?

Both Chong and Nurse played extended minutes with 36 and 35 each. I think Sanyia played ok and just shot poorly. She led the team with 5 assists and added three steals. Kia looked like Kia. Aggressive and sometimes out of control. But she did hit 2-5 three pointers and had 10 points with 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

As a team, UConn was able to shoot 50% from the field but only 4-15 on threes. They were a pedestrian 10-16 from the FT line. They held Chattanooga to 28% shooting and only 6-31 on threes.

I had predicted a 45 point win. I changed it from 35 after the Chattanooga loss to Maine in their previous game. Like changing your golf club choice, you should always stick with your first instinct.

Next, UConn plays DePaul. If they play like this, they could be in trouble. But there is no reason to think they will. Sometimes you play down to your opponent. They have to play well to beat DePaul. And hopefully Dangerfield is available.

UConn Box Score

UConn photos

Some great quotes. Geno thinks the team needs to get their asses kicked and soon.

Post game player interviews. Gabby and Napheesa. Delightful young women.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Tonight's game against Chattanooga is one of six that will be played at the XL Center in Hartford, UConn's home away from home. Other games include Ohio State, East Carolina, USF, Houston, and Temple. The Huskies play well at the XL Center and their all time record is 155-13, for a 92% winning mark. In the last 83 games at the XL Center, UConn is 80-3. By comparison, their recent record at Gampel is even better at 97-2. It certainly looks like the Huskies love the home cooking at either arena.

UConn could also be said to have two more "home court" venues. Sunday's game versus Texas is going to be at Mohegan Sun, where Geno has a restaurant. Speaking of home cooking, when your coach owns a great restaurant at an arena, it is considered your home court.

The AAC tournament is usually held at Mohegan and the Huskies have never lost any AAC tournament game. The Huskies also play well and win at the Bridgeport location. The early rounds of the NCAA tournament are hosted by Bridgeport in the East Regional. With a crowd that is 95% UConn fans, the Huskies might as well be playing in Storrs.

Look for the Huskies to finish the month of November with a strong game against the Mocs from Chattanooga..!!

Go Huskies..!!

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