Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 1/4/16

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Well, DoggyDaddy's Den has hit a huge milestone Sunday morning. 100,000 views since I started this blog on October 5th 2014.

Thanks to everyone that has helped grow this crazy place. All of the many readers, my terrific contributors JohnnyC and David in Naples, my editors (Thanks Jane) that have pointed out my many mistakes and helping me not look like the Norm Crosby of blogging.

I never expected to have so many viewer. Just so you know, I get between 300-600 views every day. I appreciate all the kind words in the comments and emails. Trust me when I tell you that it's those comments that keep me writing. It's certainly not any money I might make. I have made ZERO dollars doing this.

So again, thanks for your support and loyalty. I'll keep on writing if you all keep on reading!!

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There were a few Top 25 upsets today, and not only were there upsets but the final scores were shocking in the margin of victory.

Syracuse, coached by that coward, absolutely destroyed No. 12 Duke 86-50. You would have thought that the Blue Devils were playing UConn!!!

Duke had some horrible stats. They were 2-14 on threes and had 36, yes 36 turnovers. It would be hard to have that many on purpose. Amazingly, Duke outrebounded the Orange 43-27, but as you can see that didn't make a difference.

In an amazing performance, Maggie Morrison played 16 minutes but manage to shoot 7-12 on threes all by herself in scoring 25 points to lead Syracuse.

It was funny to read the Lady Vol board after this game. They were feeling much better about beating Syracuse by only 4 points....lol. Good for them.

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In another top 25 upset, Virginia hammered No. 23 Miami (FL) 76-56. This twenty point loss to an unranked Virginia should push them out of the top 25.

This game was similar to the Duke upset in that Miami could not hit a three pointer, going 3-14. They also turned the ball over 28 times. It's hard to win a game that way. Clearly it's hard to even keep it close when you turn it over so many times.

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Unranked Auburn beat No. 7 Kentucky 66-61 behind 27 points from guard Brandy Montgomery. Kentucky shot 1-12 on threes. 26 turnovers as well. Notice the theme of the three upsets?

1-12, 3-14 and 2-14. That's 6-40 on threes for the three losing teams.

36, 28 and 26 turnovers. that's 90 turnovers for the three losing teams.

That's some ugly performances by three ranked teams.

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There were some unlikely close games as well.

Pittsburgh gave No. 3 Notre Dame all they could handle as the Irish beat the Panthers 65-55. The score was tied after the 3rd quarter but then Notre Dame put on the clamps and held Pitt to 6 points in the 4th quarter. Congrats to Coach McGraw on her 800th win. Almost as good as my 100,000 views.

No. 8 Mississippi State was handling Florida fairly easily, leading by 16 points at the half and 15 going into the 4th quarter. Florida made a nice run to close to four points with just under a minute left. It was as close as the Gators would get. MSU would hold on for a 76-70 win.

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From David in Naples

Napheesa Collier has surprised many fans by cracking and staying in the starting lineup. Of the various candidates for the job (Gabby, Butler, Katie Lou, Saniya) Collier was perhaps the least likely to start. Her stats, 11 games into the season, have a interesting "twenty something" theme.

1. Napheesa is averaging just under 22 minutes per game.
2. She has 27 steals, 2nd on the team.
3. Collier scored 28 field goals on sixty one shots from inside the arc, 46%.
4. Her offensive rebounds are a team high 29.
5. She has a combined 25 assists and blocks.
6. Even her personal fouls and turnovers are 21 and 20 respectively.
7. And, of course, she wears #24. 8-)

A great performance from a freshman, who won't even turn 20 until next September.

Some fun with numbers from me!!!

I was looking at the top performances and there were five players with double digit assists. I can tell you that one or two in a night is the norm.

Alexis Peterson Syracuse 13 assists

April Robinson Duquesne 11 assists

Meghan Creighton Drexel 11 assists

Niya Johnson Baylor 11 assists

Caitlin Ingle Drake 14 assists

Johnson is on the list almost every night. She is an amazing passer.

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So, without further ado!!!

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