DoggyDaddy's UConn/Baylor Pre Game Report





                                                     

UCONN vs Baylor
Date: November 17th, 2016
Day: Thursday
Where: Gample Pavilion
Storrs, Connecticut
Time: 7:30
TV: SNY, ESPN3 
  

No. 3 UConn Huskies                                   No. 2 Baylor Bears 

           1-0                                                                                                     2-0

Prior Meetings

UConn leads 3-2

H: 1-1, A: 1-1, N: 1-0

4/4/10 W 70-50 N
11/16/10 W 65-64 H
12/18/11 L 66-61 A
2/18/13 L 76-70 H
1/13/14 W 66-55 A

Team Overviews

Baylor comes into this game 2-0, beating Houston Baptist 118-43 and No. 9 UCLA 84-70.  Mulkey has her team coming into Storrs playing very well and very BIG. Their best player has been sophomore Kalani Brown. She has just dominated the paint. Alexia Jones has taken over the point and has done a solid job as well.

UConn come into this game 1-0, with a win on the road against a very game Florida State team. It was a close contest throughout and UConn was able to put together a solid second half in pulling this one out. Napheesa Collier was just amazing in that game.

UConn Starters

11 Kia Nurse

6' Junior Guard

  

Will the real Kia Nurse please show up. I mean REALLY show up. She has so much talent, but as we have seen several times over her time at UConn and on the Canadian team, sometimes she seems so fragile. Now a Junior, UConn really needs the strong and capable Nurse to help take the pressure off the other starters by controlling the game and not letting the game control her.

FSU game - 4 points on all free throws. 0-5 from the field. Bad foul to allow FSU to almost tie the game. Only 2 assists and 4 turnovers.    

 

15 Gabby Williams

5'11" Junior Forward

Foul trouble really inhibited Williams play in the FSU game. She was at times the Gabby of last year, which is pretty good. But other than the three pointer, she wasn't the Gabby of THIS year.

FSU game - Only 23 minutes, 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 turnovers.  

12 Saniya Chong

5'8" Senior Guard

  

I can't stop writing about how good Saniya was against FSU in the second half. She was "High School" Chong, the quick, sneaky, great shooting, excellent passing Chong. If this is the Chong of 2016-17, UConn will be just fine. In a sloppy game, she was the calming influence.

FSU Game - 26 minutes, 16 points, 6 assists and ZERO turnovers.  

33 Katie Lou Samuelson

6'3" Sophomore Guard/Forward

Lou can be such a dominating player when she is taking good shots. The problem with that is she thinks she can make every shot. It's not a bad thing, but if it's quick in the shot clock, most of the time it's a negative and a miss. She started out doing just that, but she was better as the game went on.

FSU Game - 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 turnovers.

24 Napheesa Collier

6'1 Freshman Forward/Guard

Finally. The Collier I have watched over the last few years. I won't expect 28 points every game, but she was just dominating from all parts of the court. Long range, post ups, pull ups, rebounds and blocks. A star in the making.

FSU game - 28 points 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 4 blocks.

UConn Bench

51 Natalie Butler

6'5" RS Sophomore Center

I loved her game against Florida State. She was aggressive, strong on the boards and ran the court well. It's clear from her minutes played, she will see a lot of time against Baylor. Geno needs her to play big.

FSU Game - 23 minutes, 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assist and 1 steal.     

5 Crystal Dangerfield

5'5" Freshman Guard

Geno threw her into the fire and she didn't melt. She wasn't afraid to shoot and played like she wasn't afraid to make mistakes. She is a nice change of pace off the bench.

FSU game - 19 minutes 5 points, 1 assist, 2 rebounds and NO turnovers.   

10 Molly Bent

5'9" Freshman Guard

Molly had a short run against FSU. Except for her cross court pass that was picked off, she played ok. I think Geno really wants to trust her.

FSU Game - 5 minutes, 1 rebound, 1 turnover.  

25 Kyla Irwin
6'2" Freshman Forward

   FSU game - DNP. 



20 Tierney Lawlor

5'7" Junior Guard

FSU Game - DNP

*******************************************************************

 Baylor Bears

Head Coach Kim Mulkey

Baylor Starters

13 Nina Davis

5'11" Senior Forward

• Big 12 Player of the Year (2015)
• All Big 12 First Team (2014, '15, '16)
• Big 12 Championship MOP (2014, `15)
• Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (2014, '15, 16)
• Big 12 Player of the Week (2014-15-Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22,Jan. 19, Feb. 16; 2015-16-Nov. 23, Dec. 21)
• Wade Trophy & Wooden Award finalist (2015, '16)
• AP, USBWA, WBCA & Wooden All-American (2015, '16)
•All-Tournament Team NCAA (Dallas) Regional (2016)
•All-Tournament Team NCAA (OKC) Regional (2015)
• MVP Florida Sunshine Classic (2015)
• WBCA All-Region 5 (2014, '15, '16)
• Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2014)
• All-Big 12 First Team (2014, `15, '16)
• Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2014)
• Big 12 Freshman of the Week (Nov. 18, Dec. 9, Dec. 23, Jan. 27, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, March 6)
• Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (Fall 2013)

Played on the USA's 2015 World University Games team that claimed the gold medal in Gwanju, South Korea ... Traveled to Brazil in May 2015 as part of Baylor Sports Ministry's 44-member mission trip ... Ranks No. 7 on BU career scoring list with 1,953 points ... Has started in 83 straight games and 107 of her 112 career games.

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 29.0,  FG% .500,  3PT% .000,  RPG 7.5, APG 1.0,  PPG 16.5

12 Alexis Prince

6'2" RS Senior Guard

• Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (2015)
• Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention
• All-Big 12 Freshman Team (2013)
• Big 12 Freshman of the Week (Jan. 7)
• Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year

Graduated on December 19, 2015, began coursework for graduate degree in sport management ... Traveled to Brazil in May 2015 as part of Baylor Sports Ministry's 44-member mission trip ... Played on the 2012 USA U18 National FIBA Americas U18 Championship gold medal (5-0) team in Gurabo, Puerto Rico ... Started four games, played a team-high 132 minutes (26.4 mpg) ... Averaged 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 49.0 percent from the floor, led the team in steals with 15 and also dished out 11 assists ... Received Central Florida's SPORTYS award as region's high school athlete of the year ... Has twice undergone surgery on both feet for stress fractures, once after freshman season and on Jan. 10, 2014.

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 23.5,  FG% .538,  3PT% .625,  RPG 5.5, APG 1.0,  PPG 11.0

 

30 Alexis Jones

5'9" RS Senior Guard

• Big 12 Newcomer of the Year (2016)
• All-Big 12 First Team (2016)
• Big 12 Championship Most Outstanding Player (2016)
• All-Tournament Team NCAA (Dallas) Regional (2016)
• Big 12 Player of the Week (2015-16-Jan. 19)
• Junkanoo Jam All-Star (2015)
• WBCA All-American Honorable Mention (2016)
• WBCA All-Region (2016)
• All-ACC Second Team (2013-14)
• ACC Freshman of the Year (2012-13)

Guided the 2013 USA U19 World Championship Team to a 9-0 record and the gold medal in Lithuania ... Started all nine games and averaged 10.0 points, 4.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals, while collecting her third career gold medal with USA Basketball ... Her 4.3 assists per game average ranked tied for fourth among all teams ... Jones dished 29 assists, which ranked tied for the USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team record.Named to the 2011 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team that compiled an 8-1 record and captured the gold medal at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Puerto Montt, Chile ... Played in nine games averaging 1.1 points and 1.2 rebounds ... Guided the 2010 USA U18 squad to a 5-0 record at the FIBA Americas Championship and a gold medal ... Started all five games and averaged a USA fourth-best 8.2 points per game and a team second-best 6.4 rebounds per game ... Underwent reconstructive ACL surgery after the 2013-14 season, prior to transferring to Baylor

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 27.0,  FG% .429 ,  3PT% .308,  RPG 3.5, APG 4.0,  PPG 15.5

4 Kristen Wallace

5'11" Junior Guard

• Academic All-Big 12 Big 12 First Team (2016)
• Big 12 Player of the Week (2015-16-March 3)
• Big 12 Conference All-Freshman Team (2015)
• Big 12 Freshman of the Week (Jan. 5, Jan. 12, March 4)
• Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (Fall 2014, Fall 2015)
• Dean's List (Fall 2014)

Started on Australia's 2015 U19 Women's World Championship team that claimed the bronze medal in Chekhov, Russia ... Averaged 10.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game over the Gems' seven games, Aussies finished with a 6-1 record.

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 30.5,  FG% .385,  3PT% .167,  RPG 2.5, APG 5.5,  PPG 6.0

32 Beatrice Mompremier

6'4" Sophomore Center

•Big 12 All-Freshman Team 2016)
•Big 12 Freshman of the Week (Dec. 28, March 3)
•Dean's List (Fall 2015)
•Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (Fall 2015)
  
Named to the 2014 USA Under 18 National Team ... Squad won gold medal in the FIBA Americas Championship in Colorado Springs, Colo., after finishing the tournament at 5-0 ... Mompremier averaged 9.0 points and 5.4 rebounds a game for the tournament.

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 14.0,  FG% .583,  3PT% .000,  RPG 5.5, APG 1.0,  PPG 8.5

Baylor Bench 

21 Kalani Brown

6'7" Sophomore Center

•Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2016)
•Big 12 Freshman of the Week (Nov. 23, Feb. 22)
•Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (Fall 2015)

Named to the 2013 USA Basketball Women's U16 National Team ... Averaged 7.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game in the 2014 FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Cancun, Mexico ... USA posted a 5-0 record and claimed the gold medal.

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 21.5,  FG% .800,  3PT% .000,  RPG 14.5, APG 4.0,  PPG 24.5

24 Natalie Chou

6'1" Freshman Guard

Rated as the No. 8 prospect in her class and No. 2 at her position by ESPN Hoopgurlz, No. 12 by All Star Girls Report, and No. 24 overall and No. 4 at her position by Prospects Nation... 2016 McDonald's and WBCA High School All-American... Jordan Brand Classic selection... Finalist for 2016 McDonald's All-American Games Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award.

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 15.0,  FG% .333,  3PT% .333,  RPG 3.5, APG 2.0,  PPG 6.5

15 Lauren Cox

6'4" Freshman Forward

The nation's No. 1-ranked player overall and at her position by ESPN HoopGurlz and All Star Girls Report (ASGR)... Also rated No. 2 overall and No. 1 at her position by Prospects Nation... 2016 WBCA High School Player of the Year... Naismith High School Player of the Year finalist and McDonald's All-American Games Morgan Wootten Player of the Year finalist in 2016... Named Gatorade State Player of the Year in consecutive seasons (2016, 2015)... USA Today Texas Player of the Year and USA Today All-Texas first team in back-to-back seasons (2016, 2015)... Named to the Naismith All-America first team in 2016 and Naismith All-American third team in 2015... McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American selection in 2016

2016-17 - 2 games - MPG 9.5,  FG% .250,  3PT% .000,  RPG 4.0, APG 2.0,  PPG 4.0

Possibly out with a personal issue 

55 Khadijiah Cave

6'3" Senior Forward 

•BIG 12 CONFERENCE SIXTH MAN AWARD (2015)
•BASKETBALL TRAVELERS CLASSIC MVP (2015)

2016-17 - 0 games - MPG 0.0,  FG% .000,  3PT% .000,  RPG 0.0, APG 0.0,  PPG 0.0

 Game Analysis

                  

Where to start on this matchup? In Baylor, you have one team that starts  3 seniors, 1 junior and 1 sophomore. With UConn, you have a team that starts 1 senior who has never been a regular rotation player, 2 juniors and 2 sophomores. So right away you can see that The Bears have the experience advantage. I guess that is no surprise when you lose three starters to graduation. Baylor will feel that pain next season when they lose Prince, Davis and Jones.

Baylor is a big team, but their starting lineup is not exceptionally big. They start 6'4", 6'2", 5'11", 5'11, and 5'9". But like Shakayla Thomas of FSU, Nina Davis plays much bigger than her 5'11" frame. Davis is the only all-American on either team.

With two teams playing man-to-man defense, the matchups will be clear.

Nurse vs Jones

Chong vs Wallace

Samuelson vs Prince

Williams vs Davis

Collier vs Mompremier 

Off the bench

Butler vs Brown

Dangerfield vs Chou

After that, it's a crapshoot on who will get any other minutes in this game. It doesn't appear that Mulkey trusts Cox yet and Geno doesn't trust Irwin and to a lesser extent, Bent yet in these kinds of games. Time will tell if that changes for either team in the future. I'm sure it will for Cox. Too much of a talent to sit for long.  

Like I said, defensively Baylor is pretty much strictly a man-to-man with some off the ball help similar to how UConn plays. They will funnel the ball handlers to the shot blockers like UConn did with Stewart. And Mompremier, Brown and if she plays, Cave will make like difficult for the UConn players that drive to the basket to complete their plays. I do think this is where UConn has an advantage in there ability to drive past their defenders. Nurse, Chong, Dangerfield, Samuelson and Collier all have that ability on different levels to do that when they have the advantage in matchups. Jones is quick enough but doesn't move her feet well and tends to reach in. But Jones is terrific playing off the ball and making deflections and steals on passes away from her. Wallace is the player that UConn will have to take advantage of.

UConn on offense is going to have to make their open shots. I liked how they moved the ball around against FSU, but the quick shots in the first half really hurt them. In this game they will have to not just take the first open shot. It has to be done in the rhythm of the offense. One of the big problems is that UConn struggled for much of the FSU game on the boards especially on the offensive rebounding end. Without defensive rebounds leading to fast breaks, and offensive boards leading to put backs....UConn will struggle more on the scoring end. Baylor's excellent rebounds won't make it any easier for the Huskies.      

    

Offensively Baylor will play a lot of inside out basketball. Taking advantage of the very large Brown, the Bears will try to get the ball in the post to her, where she is virtually unstoppable. Kalani has lost 20 pounds in off season and it shows in her quickness and ability to stay on the court. I'm sure UConn will double team her there, but she is getting to be such a great passer, she will find the open player. The beneficiary of that are Jones, Wallace, and Prince, all dangerous from the outside. Mompremier and Cave are not as difficult to defend in the paint, but still a handful.

One big improvement for Baylor is the play of Prince, who has suffered with a couple of tough injuries over her time in Waco. This year, she appears healthy and at 6'2" with ball handling skills and a revitalized outside shot, UConn will have a tough time keeping her off the boards and out of the scoring column.

The Baylor backcourt of Jones and Wallace are as good as any in WCBB this season. Jones is still the quick pain in the ass guard that UConn played when she played at Duke. Quick to the basket and strong with her left hand, she is difficult to handle. Sometimes she falls in love with her outside shot and she is very streaky, but that usually doesn't stop her from taking any open three she has. The Australian Wallace is just a solid player and a very good shooter. She is great at taking care of the ball. And speaking of Duke, I'm not partial to Australian players going against UConn. Does Jessica Foley, the UConn slayer, ring a bell??          

When you talk about Baylor though, you have to focus on Nina Davis. Just a terrific players in all parts of the game, she is just so deceptive because of her slight stature. She can really hit the offensive boards, and with the effective bigs on the team, it makes her job that much easier. I would expect Williams to guard her most of the game. But no one really stops Davis. It will take some help defense to do that.

I'm pretty sure that UConn will be able to score on Baylor. They have enough weapons to do that. At home, they should hit more of their shots than they did against FSU. But can they defend the post and the beast of a player that Brown has become? That remains to be seen. Butler is going to have to at least put a body on her and not pick up any early fouls. If she does, it could be a long night. Don't be surprised if you see the occasional zone like they did against FSU.

UConn is going to need a much better performance from their leader Nurse. If she dwells on her last game at all, UConn will be in big trouble. She needs to value the ball and relax with her shots. Samuelson will have to be more selective and make a higher percentage of her shots as well. Prince is a solid defender and will make it tough for Samuelson to get open looks.

UConn showed plenty of toughness in the FSU game, going down by 7 in the second half, taking a lead and then holding on under adversity. They need to carry that toughness forward or it could be a long night.                 

Final Prediction

Well, I haven't picked against UConn in a few years. I'm not going to stop now. Somehow, the Huskies will find a way to neutralize the Baylor size advantage and use their speed to outrun the Bears. It will be a close one. Something that UConn fans are going to have to get used to against the many tough opponents in the OOC schedule.

UConn by +4. GO HUSKIES!!!