Doggydaddy's Den: March 2016

Thursday, March 31, 2016

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 4/1/16

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Here is the link to my ESPN Challenge page.

After Friday's action, here are the leaders -

Synthia - 890
Chappette - 870
Jbb1985Knife-edge - 820
JerrJerrMorg - 800
JerrJerrmo - 790
ptgrd69 - 780
Jbb1985Karnevil9 - 750
DoggyDaddy - 740

Congrats to Synthia, who picked Syracuse to get to the final four and is still leading!!

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AP - It's been reported that Geno Auriemma, head coach of UConn's women basketball team, has decided to stay home and not attend the final four this season. Associate Head Coach Chris Daily will take over his duties.

"I just don't feel like going", said Auriemma, "The weather is getting nicer and I'm ready to start playing some serious golf".

The players didn't seem surprised.

"Coach has been a little detached lately in practice. Dozing off, bringing in Italian grinders with extra cheese into practice and just sitting in a corner eating" said superstar Breanna Stewart.

"I saw him watching MSNBC, yelling at the TV at Donald Trump and muttering "God Damn idiot" and then staring at his trophies saying "when is enough enough!!!" said Moriah Jefferson. "He's ready to retire, I just know it".

When reporters finally caught up to Geno, he just had nothing to say. That is a first.

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Here is the link to my UConn/Oregon State Pre Game Report.

Here is the link to my Syracuse/Washington Pre Game Report.

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My apologies if some of the links are duplicate from the day before and even duplicates in the same day. My search engine gives me a 24 hour period and I can't read every article to see if some are the same. And some sites make a simple edit and put it back out there and it looks new to me.

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One of the better McDonald's AA game. Some really good individual performances. Here is Dan Olson from Hoopgurlz's player evaluation from the game.

Crystal Dangerfield, Connecticut: The top point guard in the class showed off her lightning speed under Chicago's bright lights. Expected to fill the shoes of Moriah Jefferson in Storrs, Dangerfield had a game-high six assists and hit two 3-pointers.

Here is the Box Score

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Two players are transferring from South Carolina.

Reserve post Jatarie White is leaving the program. In my opinion, she never lived up to her high ranking (considered the top post of her 2014 class and 7th in her class) and the expectations of the South Carolina fans.

Reserve guard Kaydra Duckett is also transferring from the program. She left the team in January due to academic issues.

Along with these two transfers, South Carolina is losing Tiffany Mitchell, Khadijah Sessions, Tina Roy, Sarah Imovbioh, and Asia Dosier.

That makes seven players that will be gone. They add three freshman, but only one that will probably make a contribution, Araion Bradshaw, a 5'6" point guard who will sit behind Cuevas.

They do bring in two very talented transfers in Kalena Davis and Allisha Gray.

Next year is going to be difficult for Coach Staley. Plenty of "F" bombs!!!!

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Everyone knows UConn has the "Big Three" players in Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck. Those three have led the Huskies to 3 straight National Championships and will try for a 4th this weekend. Statistically, Stewie, MoJeff and Tuck lead the Huskies in almost every category and combined they dominate the team's results. Consider:

1. The "Big Three" have scored 1,529 points this year. That's 48.1% of the total.

2. Led by Stewie's 305 rebounds, they have 572 total or 38.8%.
3. Moriah has an astounding 192 assists. Together, she, Tuck and Stewie have 437 or 56% of the team's total.
4. KLS leads the Huskies in made 3 pt shots (77), but the three amigos have 116 total or 41.4%.
5. Stewie has made more free throws (115) than anyone else has attempted. Combined, the three players have 211 or 49.0%.
6. Breanna has also blocked more shots than the rest of the team combined (123).

Together, those three have 139 or 59.9%.
7. Their steal total of 184 is 42.4% of the team's results.

Stewie, MoJeff or Tuck are #1 on the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, blocked shots, steals, minutes played, free throws and points per game. They are the main reason the Huskies record while they have played at UConn is a remarkable 149-5.

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1 UConn vs 2 Oregon State

UConn’s Moriah Jefferson draws high praise for ability, leadership The Middletown Press
Roundup: Scouting UConn PAC12
UConn heads to 9th straight Final Four after beating Texas Senegal Actu
Breanna Stewart leads UConn to the Final Four La-Kabylie
At Gampel, UConn Women Get A Splendid Send-Off To Final Four CT Now
Auriemma says UConn women in ‘a constant fight to prove we are legitimate’ NH Register
UConn, Oregon State to meet in women's Final Four Wingate Wire
Former UConn star Nykesha Sales has a great idea to spotlight women's basketball Fox Sports
UConn makes ninth straight Final Four NYSE Post
Final Four primer: Can Oregon State topple UConn? ABC News
Is UConn bad for the game? Final Four coaches say no way The Bulletin
UConn women offer a clinic on how game should be played The Boston Globe
UConn’s opponents need to step up their game The Boston Globe
UConn Sends Women’s Hoops to Indy in Style! UConn Team Site
Walking on, Walking on Air: 2 UConn Players Living the Dream ABC News
UConn women's hoop dominance is what it is: Editorial The Republican
Are the 2016 UConn women the most dominant Huskies team ever? The Comeback
Roof Repair to Begin at UConn's Gampel Pavilion Patch
UConn back again in Final Four, joined by three newcomers The Preface
UConn Women's Coach Isn't Surprised By Gender Wage Gap NYSE Post
Oregon St to women's Final Four after 60-57 win over Baylor Westport News
Canzano: Oregon State women's basketball skips the David-Goliath speech Oregon Live

4 Syracuse vs 7 Washington

UW and Syracuse are familiar foes, but are there takeaways from first meeting Seattle Times
Take 2: Even in high school, UW women’s stars showed they had the ‘It Factor’ Seattle Times
Syracuse women's basketball guard Alexis Peterson brims with confidence Post Standard
Syracuse women reach new heights under Coach Q USA Today
Syracuse center Briana Day: Bigger foes aren't going to push me around Post Standard
Final Four primer: Syracuse seeks another win over Washington ESPN
Quiet, unassuming Osahor becoming star for Washington women Business Insider
Women's Final Four: Syracuse, Washington first to earn trips to Indy NCAA

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Message Boards

UConn Territory - The best UConn women's message board ever!!!

College Fans Only - WCBB board where no holds are barred

Vol Nation - Tennessee women's basketball board

CockyTalk - The upstart South Carolina women's basketball board

ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board

Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else

DoggyDaddy's UConn/Oregon State National Semi-Final Pre Game Report

UCONN
vs
Oregon State

Day: Sunday

Date: April 3rd, 2016

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Time:6:00

TV: ESPN

UConn Huskies Oregon State Beavers

36-0 32-4

Overview

Prior Meetings

UConn - 1-0

11/25/95 W 88-70 N

Here is some info on that game from an old Hartford Courant archived article.

They played in the semifinals of the Wahine Classic in Honolulu Hawaii over Thanksgiving. Freshman Amy Duran provided a spark off the bench and junior center Kara Wolters had 14 of her team-high 21 points in the second half, No. 3 UConn broke open a tight game defeated No. 18 Oregon State, 88-70.

The Huskies trailed by as many as six points early, then gradually took command, led by Duran's 10 first- half points. When Oregon State got to 54-52 with 14 minutes, 40 seconds left, the Huskies went inside to Wolters, who scored nine points in four minutes as UConn took a 76-63 lead.

Jamelle Elliott then had eight consecutive UConn points, two off a touch pass by Nykesha Sales on a 2- on-1 break.

Elliott and Sales each scored 16, Jennifer Rizzotti had 15 and Duran 14. Tanja Kostic led Oregon State with 23 points.

It didn't take long for the officials and emotions to take hold. Elliott, Rizzotti and Wolters were called for fouls in the first 22 seconds, and coach Geno Auriemma was given a technical at that point by referee Pat Tanika for excessive arguing.

``We didn't come all the way out here for this,'' Auriemma yelled.

When all the foul calls were finished, Anette Mollerstrom had made three free throws. Oregon State got possession on the technical, and Mollerstrom hit a jump shot to give the Beavers a 5-0 lead after 48 seconds.

Oregon State led 12-7 on Anjanette Dionne's three-point shot 3:40 in before Wolters and Rizzotti each scored three points. Boky Vidic's layup gave the Beavers a 19-13 lead, but Duran came off the bench to lift the Huskies to their first lead.

After Duran made a jumper, Elliott and Rizzotti each hit two free throws before Sales and Wolters made layups, giving UConn a 23-21 lead. The lead changed four times before Duran hit successive jumpers to put UConn ahead, 32-28.

Oregon State got to 34-33 on Nicole McAllister's three-pointer with 4:46 left in the half, but Sales and Rizzotti made three-pointers and Duran and Kelley Hunt made layups to put UConn ahead, 44-37.

Some great names from the past.

Oregon State Overview

Oregon State has had their best season ever, winning a team record 32 games and getting to their first final four. They also won their first PAC12 tournament. They also won the regular season for the second consecutive season. They went from 1996-2013 without getting an NCAA tournament invitation, so this recent success is something new to the program.

Oregon State has only four loses.

Their first loss was to Tennessee 53-50 and it was at home. They really struggled against the Tennessee defense shooting only 30% from the field and 4-24 on threes. They also had 15 turnovers. They were lucky to score 50. They scored only 18 points in the first half but did mount a furious comeback, outscoring Tennessee 32-18.

Two games later they lost a tough 62-61 at Notre Dame. The fact that they almost won this game without junior point guard Sydney Wiese say something about the Beavers and in retrospect, something about the vulnerability of Notre Dame.

Two more games later they got blow out at UCLA 71-51 this was another game with Sydney Wiese. UCLA pressed hard and it turned into 26 Oregon State turnovers. That also says something about the Beavers. Something they don't want to hear.

Their last loss (for now) was 15 games later against Stanford at Maples 76-54. Stanford was on fire in this game, shooting 57% from both the field and the three point arc. Oregon State shot only 34.4% from the field and 4-20 on threes. That disparity between the two teams shooting percentages give you a 22 point margin that could have been more.

In the NCAA tournament, Oregon State has beaten 15 seed Troy 73-31, 10 seed St. Bonaventure 69-40, 6 seed DePaul 83-71 and 1 seed Baylor 60-57.

Here is a link for the OSU/Baylor game highlights.

News Report of the OSU win over Baylor

Comparative Team Statistic

Leader in Bold

UConn Oregon State

88.4 PPG 67.5
48.2 Defensive PPG 51.2

40.2 Scoring Margin 16.2

52.9 Field Goal % 44.0
33.1 Defensive FG% 31.7

37.9 Three Point % 35.6
30.5 Defensive 3PT% 27.4

79.9 Free Throw % 72.8

40.9 Rebounds/game 44.1

11.2 Rebounding Margin 11.7

21.7 Assists per game 15.8

11.8 Turnover per game 15.3

1.8 Assists/TO ratio 1.0

12.1 Steals per game 5.2

6.4 Blocks per game 6.4

UConn Starters

30 Breanna Stewart
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
NCAA Game 4 - 38 minutes, 21 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assist, 5 TO, 3 blocks, 3 steal

2015-16 Stats

35 Games - MPG 28.7, FG% .583, 3PT% .418 PPG 19.3 RPG 8.7, APG 4.0, 65 steals, 123 blocks

3 Morgan Tuck
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
NCAA Game 4 - 32 minutes, 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assist, 3 TO

2015-16 Stats

31 Games - MPG 26.3, FG% .512, 3PT% .312, PPG 13.3, RPG 5.8, APG 3.4, 26 steals, 9 blocks

4 Moriah Jefferson
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

NCAA Game 4 - 38 minutes, 11 points, 1 rebound, 9 assist, 2 TO, 1 block, 1 steal

2015-16 Stats

35 Games - MPG 30.5, FG% .552, 3PT% .440, PPG 12.6, RPG 2.5, APG 5.5, 93 steals, 7 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

NCAA Game 4 - 38 minutes, 11 points, 0 rebounds, 2 assists

2015-16 Stats

36 Games - MPG 27.9, FG% .440, 3PT% .358, 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

NCAA Game 4 - 32 minutes, 9 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 TO, 1 block

2015-16 Stats

36 Games - MPG 23.7, FG% .495, 3PT% .393, PPG 11.1, RPG 3.4, APG 2.2, 37 steals, 6 blocks

UConn Bench

15 Gabby Williams
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

NCAA Game 4 - 6 minutes, 3 points, 1 assist

2015-16 Stats

36 Games - MPG 18.6, FG% .641, 3PT% .000, PPG 8.9 RPG 5.6, 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

NCAA Game 4 - 12 minutes, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

2015-16 Stats

36 Games - MPG 17.3, FG% .532, 3PT% .200, PPG 6.8, RPG 5.3, APG .9, 47 steals, 45 blocks

51 Natalie Butler
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
NCAA Game 4 - 2 minutes

2015-16 Stats

25 Games - MPG 12.6, FG% .570, 3PT% .000, PPG 5.9, RPG 4.2, APG .8, 13 steals, 20 blocks

12 Saniya Chong
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
NCAA Game 4 - 2 minutes

2015-16 Stats

31 Games - MPG 13.0, FG% .424, 3PT% .368, PPG 4.0, 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
NCAA Game 4 - DNP

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

NCAA Game 1 - 3 minutes, 1 turnover

NCAA Game 2 - 3 minutes

NCAA Game 3 - 3 minutes
NCAA Game 4 - DNP

2015-16 Stats

28 Games - MPG 3.1, FG% .429, 3PT% .400, PPG .3, RPG 0.1, APG 0.2, 1 steals, 0 blocks

22 Briana Pulido
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
NCAA Game 4 - DNP

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

UCONN TEAM STATS

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Head Coach Scott Rueck

From the Oregon State team site:

It was a homecoming of sorts for OSU alumnus Scott Rueck, who was named the fifth head coach in the history of the Oregon State women’s basketball program on June 30, 2010.

Rueck has been the architect of an accelerated turnaround of the women’s basketball program at Oregon State, bringing the team onto the national stage in just five years as head coach. The Beavers reached new heights in the 2014-15 season, setting a school record with 27 wins, en route to a Pac-12 Regular Season Title. For his efforts, Rueck was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year by both the media and the coaches, and earned WBCA Region 8 Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. The Beavers’ success on the floor was reflected in the national polls, as OSU was ranked as high as No. 7 in both the AP and USA Today/WBCA Polls during the season, the best rankings in school history, before the team ended the year ranked No. 13.

Oregon State also set a new program-best with a 16-2 conference record, surpassing the mark set in 2013-14. The Beavers went 14-2 at home, extending their home winning streak, which began in 2013-14, to 23 straight games. The historic season led to an increase in attendance, as the Beavers averaged a Pac-12 leading 4,167 fans per game, and welcomed 7,652 fans to Gill Coliseum for the Civil War on Jan. 9, the third-largest crowd in school history.

Oregon State Starters

15 Jamie Weisner 5'10" Senior Guard

NCAA Game 1 - 21 minutes, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 turnover

NCAA Game 2 - 30 minutes, 23 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers

NCAA Game 3 - 36 minutes, 38 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover

NCAA Game 4 - 40 minutes, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assist, 7 turnovers, 1 block

2015-16: MPG 31.4, FG% .488, 3PT% .450, PPG 17.5, RPG 5.6, APG 2.1, 32 steals, 15 blocks

24 Sydney Wiese 6'1" Junior Guard

NCAA Game 1 - 32 minutes, 10 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 3 steals, 1 block
NCAA Game 2 - 33 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 TO, 1 steal

NCAA Game 3 - 40 minutes, 13 points, 1 rebounds, 7 assist, 3 TO, 2 steals

NCAA Game 4 - 40 minutes, 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assist, 6 TO

2015-16: MPG 32.9, FG% .428, 3PT% .367, PPG 12.8, RPG 5.7, APG 5.1, 38 steals, 14 blocks

44 Ruth Hamblin 6'6" Senior Center

NCAA Game 1 - 22 minutes, 18 points, 18 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 turnover, 5 blocks, 1 steal

NCAA Game 2 - 22 minutes, 4 points, 16 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 blocks

NCAA Game 3 - 24 minutes, 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assist, 2 TO, 3 blocks

NCAA Game 4 - 23 minutes, 10 points, 12 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 TO, 1 steal, 4 blocks

2015-16: MPG 27.3, FG% .558, 3PT% .000, PPG 11.8, RPG 10.0, APG .5, 13 steals, 124 blocks

11 Gabriella Hanson 5'11" Junior Guard

NCAA Game 1 - 27 minutes, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assist, 1 turnover, 4 steals

NCAA Game 2 - 31 minutes, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 turnover

NCAA Game 3 - 36 minutes, 6 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assist, 0 turnovers, 5 steals

NCAA Game 4 - 40 minutes, 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 turnovers

2015-16: MPG 31.1, FG% .331, 3PT% .261, PPG 7.9, RPG 3.6, APG 3.0, 47 steals, 9 blocks

32 Deven Hunter 6'3" Senior Forward

NCAA Game 1 - 17 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 1 block

NCAA Game 2 - 22 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal

NCAA Game 3 - 30 minutes, 9 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers

NCAA Game 4 - 28 minutes, 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal

2015-16: MPG 21.5, FG% .428, 3PT% .364, PPG 6.3, RPG 5.6 APG 1.8, 17 steals, 9 blocks

Oregon State Bench

21 Marie Gülich 6'5" Sophomore Center

NCAA Game 1 - 18 minutes, 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 block

NCAA Game 2 - 20 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block

NCAA Game 3 - 18 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover

NCAA Game 4 - 20 minutes, 4 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block

2015-16: MPG 15.2, FG% .493, 3PT% .000, PPG 4.2, RPG 4.0, APG .7, 10 steals, 22 block

10 Katie McWilliams 6'2" Freshman Guard

NCAA Game 1 - 17 minutes, 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds

NCAA Game 3 - 7 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist

NCAA Game 4 - DNP

2015-16: MPG 20.4, FG% .318, 3PT% .333, PPG 3.0, RPG 2.0, APG 1.6, 9 steals, 11 blocks

5 Samantha Siegner 6'3" Senior Forward

NCAA Game 2 - 10 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks

NCAA Game 3 - 9 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 block

NCAA Game 4 - 9 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal

2015-16: MPG 13.3, FG% .362, 3PT% .286, PPG 2.1, RPG 2.3, APG .9, 5 steals, 15 blocks

Oregon State Stats

Game Analysis

I like Oregon State. They have a terrific backcourt, a big center that can clog the lane, and nice role players. And they are all experienced as they start 3 seniors and 2 juniors.

Jamie Weisner is the leading scorer for OSU. They had her listed at 5'10" but I doubt she is more than 5'8". We will see when she is matched up with Jefferson. She is quick and has a really quick release on her three point jumper. At 45%, UConn can't afford to leave her open. I noticed a lot of off the ball screening and UConn will have to be careful in that regard. Hopefully the refs are paying attention and will call the moving screen. At least that how it looked to me more than one time. Weisner also loves to drive to the basket and is a tough finisher. She is one tough cookie. Twice against Baylor she put her head and shoulder down and drove the lane to make a shot as the shot clock expired. But she hasn't met the UConn defense and someone like Stewart yet. Jamie is a terrific rebounder at he height averaging over 5 per game. That really stuck out for me.

Sydney Wiese is the Beaver's point guard averaging over 5 assists per game and 6.5 apg in the NCAA tournament. She is also their second leading scorer. She is left handed which always messes up the defense. I would think that Nurse will start out on her, and Kia is giving up a couple of inches to the 6'1" Wiese. She has had 9 turnovers in her last two games, with 6 against Baylor. Nurse will force a few for sure. She shoots a solid 37% on threes and also has a quick release and loves to come off screens and drive to the basket.

The last of the big three is Ruth Hamblin, their 6'6" BIG center. She is strong and can bring the ball out to the foul line and hit jumpers. But she really isn't a scoring center. She doesn't work that hard for position and call for the ball as much as she should. And her post moves are limited. She is big but everything she does is in slow motion. OSU often looks for the lob entry pass to Hamblin, but that won't be easy against UConn. I saw her bodied off the block too many times for someone her size. She is big but not strong. Whoever she is guarding between Stewart and Tuck will run like her into submission. But Hamblin is a presence in the middle and has good shot blocking ability. She does a nice job coming off of her man with help defense. She doesn't get off the ground much but she doesn't have to.

Gabriella Hanson is the third guard in the starting lineup and is a very good defender but not much of an offensive threat. She leads the team in steals and will get her share in this game. Her weak shooting will allow whoever is guarding her to sluff off and help against the other more offensive minded players. I noticed that Hanson spent a lot of time guarding Baylor's quickest guard (Jones) and I wouldn't be surprised to see her on Jefferson and not Weisner.

Their other big on the court to start the game is 6'3" Devon Hunter. Another nice roll player that should help on the boards but can also step out and hit the three. She will need to be watched. She is a big boned women that sets tough screens but there is a lack of foot speed that UConn will exploit.

The Beaver bench is limited and I really think you will only see Marie Gülich, their 6'5" sophomore center from Germany, in the game for extended minutes. She backs up Hamblin. Gülich doesn't offer much on the offensive side of the ball.

On offense, Oregon State likes to run a double stack offense at the foul line where Hamblin/Gülich and Hunter form a wall at the foul line allowing either Weisner or Wiese try to lose their man in that pile of humanity. It's a very effective play for the Beavers. They do a great job of quickly moving the ball to the open player.

As long as there is no foul trouble, Oregon State will play Weisner, Wiese and Hanson play 40 minutes each, Hunter around 30 and Hamblin with 23-25 with Gülich filling in most of the rest.

UConn is coming off what I would call their "B" game against Texas. They seemed a little off. Their passes were a little sloppy even when they didn't turn into a turnover. I'm sure that Geno will have them all review that performance and you can bet they will be on their "Mississippi State" type execution.

Look for the Huskies to pressure often. With OSU playing several players the entire game, UConn will use their speed to tire them out early and then it's game over.

The matchups really favor UConn. Like most opponents, OSU doesn't have anyone to match up with Stewart and Jefferson, but they have no one to cover Tuck.

We all know what UConn does. The only question is if they can execute.

Final Prediction

From what I have seen, it doesn't look good for the Beavers in making this a competitive game. They have some good players. Some really good players. But they don't match up well with UConn. Not enough team speed, they turn the ball over too much and they don't score enough. They are big and rebound very well and use that size to defend but it's not enough to keep it close.

I can't see them scoring more than 50 unless they get hot from the outside and then they may break 60. They will struggle with the UConn Seniors and this could be an ugly game.

I'll call it 88-58 in favor of the Huskies. 30+ points. And on to the Championship Game!!!!

Just something else to remember. None of the Final Four teams have been there before other than UConn. Oregon State celebrates getting there. UConn celebrates winning it.

There is a big difference in approach, so don't be surprised if the OSU players and coaches are a little overwhelmed.

On edit - I guess I was wrong about UConn not having a celebration of some kind -

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 3/31/16

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Here is the link to my ESPN Challenge page.

After Friday's action, here are the leaders -

Synthia - 890
Chappette - 870
Jbb1985Knife-edge - 820
JerrJerrMorg - 800
JerrJerrmo - 790
ptgrd69 - 780
Jbb1985Karnevil9 - 750
DoggyDaddy - 740

Congrats to Synthia, who picked Syracuse to get to the final four and is still leading!!

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The McDonalds game was tonight and boy, is Notre Dame going to be loaded. Erin Boley and Jackie Young are two dynamite players that will fit right into McGraw's offensive and defensive schemes.

But UConn did just fine with this Dangerfield kid. She will be getting plenty of respect!!!

She only scored 6 points but in an all-star game that you don't see a lot of assists, she led everyone with 6 assists. And she hit a 25 foot shot for three of her points.

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UConn was still celebrating their victory against Texas, on the court, when several "fans" penned articles claiming the game "exposed" the Huskies. I guess when you don't win by 60, it was a bad game. Instead, let's consider why the Huskies had a wonderful 40 minutes against a team that finished 31-5 this season. Consider:

1. UConn led by 23 points with 36 seconds to play and won the game by 21 points.
2. The Huskies shot 56.4% from the field and 85.7% from the free throw line.
3. For the game, all five starters made at least one three point basket & the team was 12-21 or 57.1%.
4. Led by Moriah's 9 assists, the Huskies had 24 assists on 31 baskets.
5. Stewie had a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds.
6. The defense held Imani Boyette, the 6'7" center from Texas, to 4 points and 6 turnovers. She also had 3 fouls & played only 24 minutes.
7. Texas missed 38 shots (60%), including 17 three point attempts.
8. UConn never trailed in the game, had a halftime lead of 15, a 3rd period lead of 19 and a final margin of 21.
9. Three Texas starters scored a combined 11 points on 4-16 shooting. Mo and Kia scored 11 points each.
10. The Texas defense gave up an average of 56.4 points per game. UConn scored 86.

The only thing exposed against Texas was that some fans will find something to whine about regardless of how the Huskies play.

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1 UConn vs 2 Oregon State

College Basketball: Make that nine straight Women's Final Four trips for UConn Union Leader
UCONN heads to 9th straight final four Bilbaoiya
UConn to spend $10 million for new roof at Gampel Pavilion CT Post
UConn’s Singular Feats Reveal a Double Standard NY Times
Sullivan: Auriemma tired of defending UConn's greatness North Jersey
UConn's Stewart headlines All-America team for 3rd time Houston Chronicle
UConn coach wades into Final Four debate over gender issues Indianapolis Business Journal
March Madness 2016: Is UConn good or bad for women's basketball? Quadrangle
Auriemma wades into Final Four debate over UConn dynasty Sportzedge
Five insane numbers from UConn's historic blowout over Mississippi State Solo News
Auriemma says UConn women in ‘a constant fight to prove we are legitimate’ New Haven Register What the world was like the last time the Huskies missed the final Four? NCAA
Canzano: Boston columnist says Oregon State upset of UConn would be great for  Oregon Live
SNYDER: UConn overshadows parity among other women’s basketball teams Washington Times
Geno: Ignore UConn Women If You Want, 'But Don't Demean Those Who Appreciate it  CT Now
UConn coach: Breanna Stewart is best NCAA tournament player ever Syracuse Post-Standard
Think the UConn women are too good? Quit whining and beat ’em Seattle Times
UW coach Mike Neighbors says UConn women’s success should be celebrated Seattle Times
Open tryouts to the Final Four: Oregon State's dramatic rise USA Today
Oregon State Celebrates Regional Win Building the Dam
Final Four newcomer Oregon State scrappy on defense American Republican

4 Syracuse vs 7 Washington

TIPPING OFF: Syracuse, Washington women to Final Four Seattle Post
Women's Final Four: Syracuse, Washington first to earn trips to Indy NCAA
Mighty are the Huskies -- who wear the purple and the gold ESPN
Hillsman Has Transformed Syracuse Women, Now He Must Build On Final Four Success Courant
Washington and Oregon St. new faces in Final Four Post Register

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