Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 2/19/17

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Well, there was something completely different.

I had company over for dinner. I planned on recording the game and we would all watch the game after dinner.

I turned on the TV and looked for the recording. No luck. I forget to set the DVR. So I turned on the game live looking for the usual blowout against an undermanned AAC opponent.

Surprise!!!!

There was a minute left in the 3rd quarter and UConn had just gone up by ten points. I figured that Nurse didn't play and I was right. But I didn't figure on the low score by the offense. Tulane cut the score to 6 points, 48-42 at the end of three and the team just didn't look right.

They were so tentative on offense and Tulane played some inspired defense. UConn was turning the ball over and talking lousy shots. It was a recipe for an upset.

The fourth quarter as a real game. Shocking but very interesting. I actually enjoyed the change in my emotions. My usual "ho hum, another win" turned into "holy shit, they could actually lose".

UConn held on for dear life as Tulane hit several clutch three pointers, one of which was a desperation shot that banked into the baseket, bounced around and through. The kind of shot that upsets are made of.

Tulane closed to two points but UConn kept finding a way to never let it get tied up. Collier had a big rebound and put back. And Samuelson picked up a loose ball and drove for a layup.

Dangerfield was fouled three times but went only 2-6 from the foul line. With 10 seconds left and the score 63-60 Dangerfield intercepted an inbounds pass and was fouled driving for a layup. She could have dribbled the last four seconds off the clock but made the mistake of taking it to the basket. She missed her two free throws giving Tulane one last chance for the tie but the desparation three pointer was short and the Huskies held on.

WHEW!!!

I'll save some stuff for my post game report. I will try to watch the first three quarters on ESPN3 sometime Sunday and put something together.

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So much parity in WCBB this season. Other than UConn handling every challenge put in front of them, the rest of the teams can win or lose any game between the top teams.

No. 4 Florida State lost to No. 8 Texas and then lost to unranked Virginia..

No. 8 Texas beat No. 2 Baylor.

Saturday, that same Texas team lost to No. 18 Oklahoma 74-73 on a three pointer by Peyton Little with 2 seconds left. Great game and great finish.

I'm expecting a crazy NCAA tournament with a bunch of upsets!

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One of my readers asked me how I thought UConn would spread out the minutes next season with 14 capable players on the team.

I can think of two examples of how Geno handled that in the past.

The 2016 Olympic team had 12 players. He varied his minutes from a high of 24 for Taurasi to a low of 10 minutes for Catchings and Stewart. The only other player with 20 mpg was Augustus. It was a great example of 12 players subjugating their egos for the good of the team and the team objective. I believe that is the reason that Parker wasn't selected. She wasn't capable of doing that. But that is another story.

So, you say ok.....but those are pros. We are talking about college kids.

Well, Geno has done it with his deepest team to date, the 2000-2001 team.

That team also had 14 player roster. Ashley Battle only played 5 games. Geno found a way to get everyone minutes. But like every roster, you have players that will need more minutes and because of talent deserve more minutes.

In 2000-01, here were how the minutes were handed out.

Sue Bird 27.7

Abrosimova 24.5

Diana Taurasi 24.0

Swin Cash 23.8

Shea Ralph 23.7

Tamika Williams 19.9

Asjha Jones 19.5

Kennitra Johnson 17.9

Kelly Schumacher 16.9

Morgan Valley 10.5

Maria Conlon 7.1

Christine Rigby 6.5

Marci Czel 5.7

I can see something like this with next years roster.

Samuelson 22

Collier 21

Williams 21

Nurse 21

Stevens 19

Dangerfield 19

Walker 15

Camara 12

Butler 10

Gordon 8

Espinoza-Hunter 8

Coombs 8

Bent 8

Irwin 8

Now, I admit. I had to work really hard to get this to add up to 200. I was way over when I first put in the numbers. And who knows how this will really end up. It won't be easy for UConn.

Two questions yet to be answered.

Will Butler come back for her fifth season? She has to know that Camara and Stevens would eat into her limited minutes.

Will there be a transfer before the beginning of next season or even during the regular season before the winter session end? It does happen. This is not speculation. Just putting all scenarios out there.

Even with 14, you can bet that Geno will handle it.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Looks like the excitement of a close game in the AAC has David out of commission. I'll post something when he wakes up from his stupor!

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