Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 1/10/15

Links to everything about UConn women

Links to every top 25 score and game recap

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A list of top performers (Either 20+ points, a double double or whatever I feel like)

Links to everything you need to find out about a team, a player, every statistic you can think

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Links to other great Blogs

If you come across a site I don't have please let me know via email (at the bottom of the blog) and I will add it. This blog is for you, not just something for an old retired guy to kill time with.

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Transfers. It seems that there have been more and more recently, especially involving high profile teams and highly recruited players. On the men's side there are hundreds of transfers every year. The numbers are stunning. There are not as many on the women's side, but recently, it seems there have been more top players transferring and the impacts will be felt in the success of some pretty big programs.

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The latest one appears to Taya Reimer of Notre Dame. While a couple of sources have said this a fact, it seems that none of the major media outlets have picked up on this. Usually once these things leak out, it's not long before it's fact. We shall see.

Reimer, a former UConn recruit, actually gave UConn a very soft verbal. Geno did not accept it and he asked her to wait. Eventually she committed to ND. As the #4 HS recruit in her class, she was a big get for ND. But her freshman years was very uneven and this season she didn't appear to take a step forward.

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We just found out that Chishae Rowe, who announced her transfer from Oregon earlier this year, is bringing her vast talents to Kentucky for the 2nd semester of the 2015-16 season. At Oregon, she averaged 21.6 points per game. There were some disciplinary issues for her at Oregon but I'm hopeful that she has grown beyond that and will have a great career for Matthew Mitchell and the Wildcats. She can be a difference maker in a program like Kentucky.

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Sierra Calhoun has announced her intention of transferring from Duke with no announced destination at this time. While some players leave for playing time, Calhoun was starting and averaging 10 points per game in 30 minutes per game. Clearly that was not the issue. There were some tweets out there stating something happened in practice that caused the issue. While I respect her privacy, we are all interested in what happened. I have a feeling the facts about this will be eventually be released.

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Still on the Duke track, last year Alexis Jones, one of the best guards in the country decided to transfer. She was clear that due to her injuries she wanted to be closer to home. Certainly the choice of Baylor fits that need. This is a great pickup for Mulkey. Jones is truly an elite performer and once fully recovered she will be a big impact to the success of the Baylor team. When she was last healthy, she averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals while starting every game for Duke before her injury. I love how she plays and I'm looking forward to seeing her on the hardwood again.

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Certainly UConn has not been immune to the transfer bug over the years. The latest is freshman Sadie Edwards, who announced her transfer after only a few games this year. It was clear that she wasn't getting the playing time she expected and for her that was the most important reason for leaving. After talking to Geno she made it official. She quickly decided to make USC her destination. She does have the talent and she will get the opportunity to showcase them for the Trojans.

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One of the more controversial transfers has been Leticcia Romero. Kansas State was her initial destination. She was initially denied a release from her scholarship at Kansas State after that school fired the coaching staff that had recruited her. Romero became the focus of an ongoing national debate about the power schools have over students. Thankfully Kansas State eventually reversed their decision (without admitting fault) and Romero transferred to Florida State. She was immediately allowed to play and in 3 games she is averaging 10 ppg on 64% shooting and going 4-7 on 3's. I'm sure Florida State is thrilled to have her.

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Possibly the most impactful transfer is Diamond Deshields. Her story is a really "interesting" one. The recruiting battle was initially thought to be between UConn and Tennessee. Many people were convinced she was coming to UConn and there were an equally number of Tennessee people that were convinced she was going there. Then something happened.

Deshields and Allisha Gray, a fellow 2013 recruit, were close friends since the 6th grade, playing together in the Georgia youth leagues. Deshields then met Jessica Washington and Stephani Mavunga at the Boo Williams classic. They quickly became friends like so many kids today, between texts, phone calls, and Twitter. They all happened to be on campus for their UNC visits and it seemed to be the common denominator whenever the four of them discussed where to verbal. They shocked the world with their decision and they had a great season getting to the elite eight after beating a number one seed in South Carolina.

Deshields had a terrific freshman season (unless you like shooting percetages) and won national freshman of the year. She was playing with her buddies, they were fairly successful, Deshields was individually honored.....so....she transferred. Huh?? I still don't get it. And I'm certain her friends had a tough time getting it as well.

So, why did she leave? And why Tennessee? According to Deshields "This is the place I've dreamt of since I was a little girl, just being here and playing here at Tennessee,". Huh?? Didn't Tennessee recruit you as hard as UNC? Funny thing is that just before Deshields announced she chose Tennessee, T'ea Cooper, a top rated PG in the class of 2015 verballed to Tennessee. Funny because Cooper and Deshields are best buddies. Really. See a pattern here?  This seems to be one confused young lady. Hopefully this all works out for her but wow, what a convoluted way to get here. And look at all the bodies left in the dust behind her. I'm sure Coach Hatchell would have loved to spent time on another recruit that year if she knew Deshields was going to leave after one season.

Deshields is talented enough to win a championship with Tennessee with the right mix of players. It will be a fun story line to watch. Hey, maybe she becomes close friends with someone at Princeton..........

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Now, for my favorite transfer. A player that is willing to transfer to a school where she knows she will be pushed to her full limits and fullest potential. I've already written a ton about Natalie Butler transfer from Georgetown to UConn. I truly believe that many fans are underestimating her impact. With Stewart and Tuck around her on the front line and Jefferson and Nurse in the backcourt, this young lady will be one of the best centers in the country. She has a fantastic work ethic and will to get better and she will be practicing all season against the best team in the country. I can't wait to see her on the court.

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Ugly Game of the night

I don't give enough press to the mid-majors. Now, maybe this isn't the attention they want, but this game is SO deserving of my award.

Hofstra defeated Drexel Friday night, 53-52. IN OVERTIME. That's right. To break fifty points, they needed another five minutes of play. So, let's look at the numbers.

Hofstra was 32% from the field and 4-18 or 18% on three pointers.

Drexel was 31% from the field and 2-13 or 15% on three pointers.

They combined for 31 TO's. Congrats to these teams for a well deserved UGOTN award.

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So, without further ado!!!

Ladies and Gents, DD looks at the news........

No Surprise: UConn Dominating American John Altavilla Blog

Impressive seasons continue for UConn signees Jim Fuller Blog

Expect Auriemma To Get Closer Look At Freshmen Vs. SMU Hartford Courant

Capsule: No. 2 UConn Women At SMU Hartford Courant

UConn’s Stewart certain better days are ahead Carl Adamac Blog

Upsets in Red

Stanford 60 Washingtonv 56

Oregon 70 Oregon State 37

No Games

Thanks to my friend JohnnyC who sends me these numbers when he can.

Brittany Boyd 12 points 12 rebounds 6 assists
Mariah Cooks Washington State 13 points 14 rebounds
Maddy Dean Drake 19 points 11 rebounds
Daisha Simmons 10 points 13 rebounds

Jillian Alleyne Oregon 16 rebounds

Reshanda Gray California 24 points 16 rebounds

Joy Adams Iona 25 points 10 rebounds

Damika Martinez Iona 31 points

Angela Mickens James Madison 10 assists

Chanise Jenkins Depaul 10 assists

Madison Weekly N. Iowa 27 points

Alex Harden Wichita St. 31 points 7 assists

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