Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 12/27/17

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

I had a wonderful day with my Granddaughter Noa. We went out to a nice breakfast at a local diner where I was able to show her off to the many people I know, staff and customers alike. It was great. Then we went bowling. She did pretty good, getting her first double (two strikes in a row). We hit the arcade after that where she hit my wallet a few times. Ah...it's only money!

She is a great kid and I'm lucky she will still hang out with her weird grandfather!!!

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

Sixteen of the top twenty-five teams are seeing action on Thursday to really kick off the WCBB schedule for after the Christmas break. Seven of those are road games for the ranked teams.

But only a few of them have the possibility of an upset.

No. 2 Notre Dame takes on visiting Syracuse, still in the USA Today Coaches poll at No. 23. The Orange always play a difficult style of play to defend. Syracuse has only played one team of distinction in No. 5 Mississippi State and they put up a good battle losing 76-65. This should be a good game.

No. 19 Green Bay is visiting Wright State. The Raiders came close to beating ranked Missouri early in the season, only losing in the last minute on free throws 82-80. They beat up on a decent Richmond team as well. Green Bay should win, but it won't be easy.

No. 8 Texas is visiting UConn's previous opponent Oklahoma. Now, the Sooners are only 5-6 for the season but they are home and coming off a good effort against the Huskies. They seem to be on an upward trend and Texas is a confusing team. They should have back Joyner Holmes after sitting her for the first semester. I just have a feeling this will be a close game.

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

On the other end of the spectrum, undefeated No. 5 Mississippi State is welcoming unwinning and unranked Mississippi Valley State.

Yeah, I'm sure there is a local connection, or a coach that is a friend to another coach, or some money changing hands (legally of course) but this game stinks. It's such a mismatch, there should be a mercy rule.

Mississippi Valley State is 0-11. It's RPI Ranking is 333. Yes, 333 out of 349. They lost by 39 to Western Kentucky and UMass.

Just a poorly scheduled game. Some writers have said that UConn being so good hurts WCBB. No, it's games like that that hurt WCBB.

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

By David in Naples!!!!!

The recent Fun with Numbers quiz highlighted an unusual statistical oddity. UConn has six different players leading the team in the six major stats categories. For example, last season, Napheesa led the team in points, rebounds and made baskets, but Katie Lou had the most 3 point baskets & Gabby had the most assists. It is very unusual for one player not to lead in a couple of categories.

Stewie's senior year, she led the team in points, rebounds, made baskets and made free throws. But, she was 2nd in assists and 3rd in steals. Stewie's freshman year, Kaleena led in points and baskets, Dolson in rebounds, Bria in assists, Kelly Faris in steals and Stewie led in made free throws. It makes sense that the leader in points probably has the most baskets. Or that the leader in assists, also has the most steals (see Moriah her junior and senior year).

Here are the stats on this season's leaders:
1. Points = Kia with 164
2. Rebounds = Azura with 85
3. Made baskets = Pheesa with 64
4. Assists = Crystal with 52
5. Made free throws = Katie Lou with 22
6. Steals = Gabby with 25

Six starters, six leaders.... weird.

Go Huskies..!!

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

UCONN LINKS

Samuelson Named American Athletic Conference Player of the Week UConn Team Site
Katie Lou Samuelson named AAC Player of the Week Carl Adamec

WCBB Top 25 Results

Upsets in RED

Games being played on Thursday, 12/28/17

2 Notre Dame vs Syracuse
3 Louisville @ Georgia Tech
5 Mississippi State vs Mississippi Valley State
6 Baylor @ Kansas State
8 Texas @ Oklahoma
9 West Virginia @ TCU
12 Ohio State @ Nebraska
13 Florida State vs Jacksonville
15 Maryland vs Illinois
18 Villanova @ Creighton
19 Green Bay @ Wright State
21 Michigan vs Penn State
22 Texas A&M vs SMU
23 Iowa @ Wisconson
24 Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech

No Top 25 Games until Wednesday, 12/27

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