Doggydaddy's Den

Saturday, September 24, 2016

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 9/25/26

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LOGAN!!!

Thank you my daughter for sending me these wonderful pictures. I love sharing them with my readers!!!

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An upset in the WNBA Saturday night with Diana Taurasi leading the Phoenix Mercury to a 104-97. She scored 30 points and poured it on in the fourth quarter. Tough loss for Tina Charles and the New York Liberty at home.

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It's not over till it's over!!!!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

The five players who graduated or transferred started a combined 105 games last season for the Huskies. Since five players started the 38 games, there were 190 possible starts available. Stewie and Moriah had 36 each and Tuck had 32. Of the returning players, Kia Nurse, Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams had the most starts at 38, 22 and 12 respectively. Napheesa Collier started 9 times and Saniya Chong 3. Natalie Butler started the one strange game when Geno sat the normal starters and went with the rookies.

More important than starts, Kia, Gabby and Napheesa played in all 38 games last season.

Add to that, KLS played in every game up until the Final against Syracuse. Together, those four played 3,305 minutes. Most of those minutes were at the beginning of games and not just mop up minutes. Kia and KLS averaged 28 and 24 minutes per game respectively, while Gabby and Napheesa logged 18 and 17 per game. That real time action should pay huge dividends this season. Even Butler and Saniya each averaged 12 minutes per game, when they played. Geno counts on players to understand his offensive and defensive schemes perfectly. While this years starters still have lots of learning to do, they have been exposed to the UConn way for years. Saniya is entering her 4th season, Kia, Gabby and Butler their 3rd and KLS and Collier their 2nd. Even the former walk-on, now on scholarship, TLAW, is now a veteran with 3 full seasons to her credit.

No doubt, the big three are gone and their talent needs to be replaced. But Kia, Gabby, Napheesa, Saniya, Natalie, Katie Lou and TLAW have played a combined 7,328 minutes in 116 games. This is not a bunch of rookies..!! Speaking of rookies, wait until you see Crystal, Molly and Kyla...

Go Huskies..!!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Elimination Games Wednesday

Phoenix Mercury 101 New York Liberty 94

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

Diana Taurasi Phoenix 30 points (4-8 on threes)
Britanny Griner Phoenix 22 points 10 rebounds 5 assists 4 blocks
Penny Taylor Phoenix 20 points
Swin Cash New York 1 rebound
Kiah Stokes New York 3 points 2 rebounds
Tina Charles New York 19 points 9 rebounds 5 assists
Tanisha Wright New York 21 points 5 assists

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UCONN LINKS

Nothin'!!!!!

Can't wait until First Night!

WCBB LINKS

NCAA grants Florida State's Chatrice White immediate eligibility ESPN
Burns' wrongful termination suit headed to jury San Diego Tribune
UK women's hoop lures Dunn back, full time News Graphic
Young basketball players chase dreams at The Hoop South Carolina

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

Penny Taylor follows Lauren Jackson in to retirement as a true Australian basketball legend The Telegraph
Sky needs team members to step up with Elena Delle Donne out Chicago Tribune
Liberty players, coaches lock arms for anthem; 2 Mercury players kneel ESPN
Sky's goal to stop Dream's McCoughtry Yahoo Sports
How WNBA playoff format put Liberty in do-or-die situation New York Post

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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

Friday, September 23, 2016

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 9/24/16

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Busy day with Logan!!! Sorry, he tired me out. Only some links and David's Numbers.

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It's not over till it's over!!!!

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From all accounts, Katie Lou and Napheesa are the best of friends. If true, opposites must attract because the two buddies couldn't be more different on the court. For example, KLS hit for 78 three point shots, while Collier only made 2. Samuelson is a 6'3" outside gunner who only rarely mixes it up inside. Napheesa is a 6'1" undersized forward who lives in the paint and led the team in offensive rebounds (83). In contrast, KLS had only 19 offensive boards. Collier also was 2nd on the team with 47 blocked shots. Her taller buddy only had 6. If is almost as if someone switched their bodies at birth... lol

They each bring different talent to the floor. Inside power forward cleaning up the boards vs the tall, lean wing who prefers long distance bombs. Interestingly, they were #1 and #2 on the Huskies in free throw % this past season at 91.7% (Collier) and 89.4% (Samuelson). They tried 48 and 47 free throws respectively.

Look for Geno and company to coach both out of their comfort zones and expand their talents. KLS needs to post up and use that height on the inside. Collier is actually a nice 3 pt shooter and Geno will challenge her to shot more often from outside the arc. With 31 starts and 1,523 minutes of playing time as freshman between them, UConn will need their experience and skills this season. Odds are the two best buddies will come through once again. Go Huskies..!!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Elimination Games Wednesday

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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UCONN LINKS

Notebook: First Night set for Oct. 14 Carl Adamec
Schedule for UConn's First Night festivities Jim Fuller

WCBB LINKS

FSU women's basketball notebook part one Tomahawk Nation
Board of Regents approves contract extension for Karen Aston The Daily Texan
Many coaches boycotting fall evaluation period over recruiting calendar ESPN
Duke Women’s Basketball Lands First Commit in 2017 Recruiting Class Ball Durham
Texas women’s basketball gets verbal from 6-7 Liberty Hill post Hookem.Com

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

What's next for Indiana Fever Indianapolis Star
WNBA playoffs head into second round after single eliminations Yard Barker
WNBA: Drake, Kevin Hart star in playoff commercial SB Nation
Cinderella Mercury next try to knock off Liberty Fox Sports
Delle Donne out for 2nd round playoff game SB Nation
New York Liberty Stars Talk Upcoming Playoff Game With Phoenix Mercury Vibe
Is Another Diana Taurasi Elimination Game Takeover in Store on Saturday? WNBA
4 Reasons the Phoenix Mercury Moved on in WNBA Playoffs WNBA

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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

Thursday, September 22, 2016

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 9/23/16

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Yesterday I asked "Can the freshman Dangerfield come in and take over the point guard spot?"

The second part of that question was "Or will Chong come in for her senior season and embrace that role?"

First let me say that I have been a big Chong fan from before she committed to UConn. She played with incredible confidence in HS. Her drives to the basket were done with total distain of the defense. She dribbles through and around her defenders finding inventive ways to finish the drive with a basket. She easily used both hands to do that.

She also had unlimited range on her three pointer and showed no hesitation in releasing the shot with the slightest opening. On offense she had no conscience.

Here is a great video illustrating my points.

She scored 54 points in this game. Her senior year she averages 30 points and 10 assists. Remarkable stats, albeit against not the strongest competition. But when she went out west with her team in a tournament playing some of the best teams in the country, she still excelled scoring over 25 points average in her three games.

So........what happened?

Well, HS is not College and that jump goes up a notch when you go to UConn. She never was able to play continued minutes her freshman year and with Jefferson running the team for 30 mpg, Chong was not the player in control like she was in HS. It was a big adjustment.

Then of course the last year, her knee injury impacted her ability to play extended minutes. She went from 19.2 to 12.4 in minutes played and never got in a comfort pattern. She certainly had some highlights during the season when she did play well and to me that bodes well for her getting 20+ mpg and possibly the staring pg spot for much of the season.

From her bio - " Scored in double-figures four times, including a season-high 18 points against Tulsa on January 6. Chong was 6-11 from the floor, including 4-8 from long-range, to go along with four assists and four rebounds against the Golden Hurricane ... That game was preceded by a 13-point, four-rebound effort against Cincinnati on December 30. The Ossining, N.Y. native was a tidy 4-6 from the floor, chased down four rebounds and dished-out three assists against the Bearcats"

For Saniya it comes down to two things. Health and confidence with the first leading to the latter. I'm hopeful that Geno gives her the key to the car and we see a lot of the star I saw in HS.

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I couldn't figure out how to imbed the video but here is a link to a great video of 2017 recruit Lexi Gordon. What a fabulous talent and a known recruiting magnet for players to come to UConn. She is well loved by the players on the AAU circuit. And one of the main reasons I am hopeful that Walker will come to UConn.

Nice form on her jumper. I love that she is a gym rat and will do what it takes to improve.

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It's not over till it's over!!!!

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Turnovers, especially in the back court by guards, are very noticeable. They often result in a layup by the defensive player and obvious embarrassment by the guard who was just pick pocketed. (Think MoJeff on any number of occasions.) Turnovers by UConn have been on a downtrend for the last few years, due in no small part to the ball handling skills of Moriah. Last year there were 452 UConn turnovers. Prior to that there were 474, 471 and 557. So last year, UConn had 105 fewer to's than when Jefferson was a freshman.

UConn fans will probably not agree who should replace Moriah as the primary ball handler this season. But, everyone can agree replacing MoJeff's steady hand running the offense will be critical. The choices are numerous. Saniya is coming off two seasons with only 63 turnovers in 1,133 minutes. that compares nicely with her 108 assists. Kia Nurse also has the skills to be a point guard. Over her two season, she has 212 assists vs 114 turnovers. And then there is the wild card, rookie Crystal Dangerfield. Her play for Team USA was stellar, but the competition against Notre Dame, South Carolina and Ohio State will be much tougher. The even wilder, wild card is freshman Molly Bent. Stay tuned...

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Elimination Games Wednesday

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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UCONN LINKS

UConn Basketball to Host First Night on Oct. 14 UConnhuskies.com
UConn First Night Set For Friday, Oct. 14, At Gampel Hartford Courant

WCBB LINKS

Women's basketball: Groups to join forces for Kay Yow Cancer Fund NCAA

UNC's Hatchell gets 2-year extension through 2019-20 season Fox Sports

What would Quentin Hillsman do if his Syracuse women's basketball team staged anthem protest? Post Standard

WBB: White Begins Professional Career In Romania Hofstra Pride

Rutgers Basketball to Host MidKnight Madness Oct. 7 Rutgers team site

GW Women's Hoops Welcomes Back Jonquel Jones '16 GW Sports

5 dates to circle for South Carolina women's basketball Daily Gamecock

Terps Announce 2016 Maryland Madness CBS Baltimore

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

WNBA players should be applauded for taking a stand on issues ESPNInsider: Pacers to discuss whether to follow Fever’s protest Indianapolis Star

Catchings' career ends and Fever kneel in anthem protest Connecticut Post
Lynx take brief rest, then set sights on repeat Twin Cities Pioneer Press

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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

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 9/22/16

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My daughter complained there were no pictures of her son lately so.............

Cuter than cute!!!!

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Here is another question I posed earlier.

"Can the freshman Dangerfield come in and take over the point guard spot?"

This could actually be the key to this season. You have an all-American point guard to replace. And it won't be easy. I'm not sure Geno will start her from the get-go, but I do expect her to play a lot of minutes early. She played with Collier and future teammate Stevens on the U19 USA team and came off the bench in all seven games. She was terrific though in running the team. She had 19 assists and only 4 turnovers. She didn't shoot well, but she showed she belonged with the likes of A'ja Wilson, Lauren Cox Maria Moore and other terrific teammates. She had the trust of the coaches getting the most minutes off the bench.

She is quick and tough. Strong for a 5'5 player.

It might take a little while but she is certainly capable of running the offense. I expect her to share the point with both Nurse and Chong with the later two playing a more of hybrid guard and not just a playmaking guard. But more on Nurse and Chong later.

Keep an eye on Geno's substitution pattern with Dangerfield. It should be interesting to see how quick a hook Geno has with her early. Teaching moments.

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It's not over till it's over!!!!

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Early last season, UConn critics were calling the Huskies out for their 3 point defense and 3 point shooting. After DePaul, Notre Dame and Colgate hit a combined 35 three pointers in three consecutive games for a 51% average, some were ready to write off the season. Added to the problem was a slow start for Katie Lou Samuelson, the heir apparent to Kaleena behind the 3 pt arc. Skeptics were quick to point out every miss by KLS and every make by opponents. What happened over the whole season? Well, Geno and company adjusted, like they always do.

Opponents finished the season shooting 29.9% from 3 pt range, making 209 baskets on 698 attempts. The 2nd half of the season saw UConn hold opponents under 23% from long range and a combined 8 for 38 or 21% in the Final Four. In the Final, Syracuse actually shot 10.5% from outside the arc.

UConn, led by Katie Lou, improved their long range accuracy over the course of the campaign, to finish with 295 three point baskets and 38.1% accuracy. KLS caught fire and ended up with 78 of 198 threes for 39.4%. The two best shooters for accuracy, MoJeff and Stewie at 42% and 43%, have graduated. But, Kia Nurse with 51 threes and Saniya Chong with 21 are back to compliment Katie Lou. Look for Napheesa Collier to improve her 3 pt shooting and become more of an outside threat. In addition, all three freshman can and will make 3's as needed.

Over the past four seasons, UConn has made 295, 330, 295 and 325 three point baskets. They shoot 3's often and well to open up the inside game. This season should be no different. Watch for KLS, Kia and company to keep defenses honest with long range shooting. Go Huskies..!!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Elimination Games Wednesday

Phoenix Mercury 89 Indianapolis Fever 78

Seattle Storm 85 Atlanta Dream 94

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

Diana Taurasi Phoenix 20 points 3 rebounds 3 assists
Brittany Griner Phoenix 18 points 9 rebounds 3 blocks
Tamika Catchings Indianapolis 13 points 10 rebounds 3 steals
Briann January Indianapolis 12 points 9 assists
Breanna Stewart Seattle 19 points 7 rebounds 3 assists3 steals
Sue Bird Seattle 12 points 7 assists 3 steals
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Seattle 8 point
Angel McCoughtry Atlanta 37 points 7 assists

Bria Holmes Atlanta 21 points 7 rebounds

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UCONN LINKS

Heavy UConn Women's Basketball Flavor to AP WNBA Awards Yahoo Sports
White wants UConn at Memorial Gymnasium Nashville Post

WCBB LINKS

Texas women's hoops ranked in top 10 in two publications 247 Sports
FSU women's basketball notebook part one Tomhawk Nation
How SDSU assistant women's basketball coach got $250,000 Tribune
OSU women's basketball: Beavers announce Pac-12 schedule Albany Democrat Herald
SEC announces women's basketball schedule SEC Sports
Auburn women's hoops ranked by preseason publications · AU

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

Roundup: AP WNBA honors for the Ogwumike sisters Pac-12
Taurasi, Mercury advance in WNBA playoffs to face Liberty Journal Gazette
WNBA's 20th season sees highest attendance in five years BlogSpot
Storm knocked out of WNBA playoffs as Atlanta rallies late for a 94-85 victory Seattle Times
Dream ousts Storm 94-85 in 1st round of WNBA playoffs Herald
WNBA playoffs start Sunday for Wilmington’s Tamera Young New Channel 3
McCoughtry scores 37, Dream beats Storm in WNBA 1st round USA Today
Indiana Fever Kneel For National Anthem Before WNBA Playoff Game The Big Lead
Fever fall to Mercury in WNBA playoffs; Catchings’ career comes to an end WISH TV
Liberty to Host Phoenix Saturday Night in WNBA 2nd Round WNBA
Liberty’s Tina Charles, Storm’s Sue Bird earn 2016 WNBA Peak Performer Awards NBA.COM
15 U.S. Olympians Will Compete In The WNBA Playoffs. Who Will Win? TEAM USA

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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

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 9/21/16

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I wrote some optimistic words about Natalie Butler's upcoming season for UConn. And I got some feedback from reader that they just can't get on board with that assessment.

I do understand. She really underperformed last year. So why would this year be any different?

Better health both physically and mentally. And they really need her. I just have a feeling that will spur her on to a much better season.

My friend Linkster said this about her - "Butler has all the physical tools, 6'5", reasonable foot speed, fast down the court. She makes huge strides and goobles up the floor from foul line to foul line."

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Tiffany Hayes received her seventh technical and that means an automatic 1 game suspension. Unfortunately for Hayes and the Atlanta Dream, it means she will miss the single elimination game against the Seattle Storm.

It's hard to justify all the technicals, but the referees in the WNBA are just horrible. I mean really bad.

The league really needs to work on this. I hope they review every game in order to evaluate the refs and force the bad ones out and improve the ones that they keep. It's that bad!

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It's not over till it's over!!!!

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UConn's 2016-17 roster is posted and the change from last season is dramatic. Consider the following:
1. 42% of last year's 12 players are gone due to graduation and transfer. Four graduated (Mo, Stewie, Tuck and Polly) and Courtney Ekmark returned to her native Arizona.

2. Five new players are on the roster, but only 3 are eligible to play. Freshmen Crystal Dangerfield, Molly Bent and Kyla Irwin have been on campus all summer and are ready to contribute when called on.

3. The other two new players, Azura Stevens and Batouly Camara, are transfers who can practice with the team, but not play in games.

4. There are only two seniors on this year's squad, Saniya Chong and Tierney Lawlor. Gabby, Kia and Natalie are the elder statesman with Junior eligibility.

5. UConn enters the season with 10 healthy and eligible players on the roster.

Look for Geno and staff to mix and match lineups early in the season to figure out the starting five and substitution patterns. Nothing truly matters until April, so the Huskies have five months to get it right.

Go Huskies..!!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Elimination Games Wednesday

Phoenix Mercury @ Indianapolis Fever

Seattle Storm @ Atlanta Dream

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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UCONN LINKS