Here is my UConn/Cincinnati Pre Game Report. Enjoy!
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So, I'm sitting here, relaxing, watching the No. 23 Tennessee/No. 2 South Carolina game and my eyes started to hurt. I'm not sure I've seen a more painful 1st quarter. Tennessee outscored South Carolina 12-8 in the quarter with some really bad shooting and ball handling. Only 1 assist for each team.
The second quarter was not a lot better. The assists were still down, the shooting percentage still in the low 30's and Tennessee had 9 turnovers and South Carolina had 8. Right around the UConn/Temple range...lol. South Carolina played better in that quarter though, pulling away to a 16-9 advantage for the ten minutes taking a 24-21 lead at the half. More great SEC defense....lol.
The third quarter was actually played better. But behind A'ja Wilson, South Carolina held on to their lead and expanded it by two to lead 44-41 after three quarters. With both Mitchell and Coates in foul trouble with four each, the South Carolina bench did a nice job extending the lead. Roy hit a couple of big threes and Cuevas hit a couple of big free throws. They stretched the lead to e1even, 56-45 with under two minutes to go. Then as Tennessee tried to come back, Deshields was call for a travel after tripping over a South Carolina player's leg and Warlick was called for a technical foul. She had no idea it was called and was clueless about what she did. A terrible time for that to happen and the lead was thirteen, 58-45 with 1:39 left.
Of course, Tennessee outscored 11-4 to finish the game. Deshields padded her scoring with seven points in the last minute, including a 3 pointer to end the game making the final 62-56.
At No. 23 in this weeks poll, at 15-10 Tennessee has no business anywhere near the top 25. Period.
Let me add that A'ja Wilson was clearly the best player on the floor and is really one of the best players in the country. She is getting better and better. She totally dominated Mercedes Russell, maybe the softest 6'6" player in the country.
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In a really late date for a non-conference game, No. 11 Louisville showed they will a tough out in the NCAAs as the younger players keep getting better and better.
The Cards beat No. 19 South Florida at the Yum Monday night in the second game of the double header on ESPN2 67-50 behind 25 points and 10 rebounds from Myisha Hines-Allen, 19 points and 5 assists from Mariya Moore and a career high 15 points from Arica Carter. Those three combined for 59 of their 67 points. The rest of the team was 3-26 from the field. If my math is correct that equals really sucky.
I spoke highly of Louisville's Brianna Jackson and as usual that is the kiss of death for a player. In this game she was 0-10 from the field, 0-1 on threes and 1-4 from the FT line scoring only 1 point.
Courtney Williams was terrific for South Florida with 25 points. The diminutive guard also grabbed 10 rebounds. But its tough to win when you only have one scorer. Their three point threat Kitija Laksa was 0-5 from behind the arc. And no one had more than 7 points.
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From David in Naples
Three point defense has been labeled a weakness for this UConn team. Early games against DePaul and Notre Dame were close only because they each hit 13 threes. Then USF nailed 12 three point shots and the theory was considered fact. UConn can't defend the three and it will be their downfall. Not so fast...
Today, 24 games into an undefeated season, the Huskies have reduced opponents three point average to 31.6%. While that is still about 200th in the country, it has been steadily improving. In the last eight games, UConn has held opponents to 35 threes on 131 shots. That is 26.7%, better than last year's 26.8% average, but not quite the 26.3% rate from two years ago. There are five more regular season games and the AAC tournament still left to further reduce that percentage.
Meanwhile, the Huskies have been steadily raising their own three point shooting average to 35.9% (179-498). That compares to nicely to two years ago when UConn hit 36.6% of their 3 pt shots. Last year, led by Kaleena's 48.8% accuracy rate, the Huskies made 40.6% of their threes. That was the best in quite some time.
The truth is the UConn defense has been superb inside the arc. Teams are left with little choice other than to put up three point shots. Some games, many have gone in, while in others, they have not. The game plan of taking 16-18 three point shots has not worked yet this season. Odds are it won't in the tournaments. Time will tell.
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Today, 24 games into an undefeated season, the Huskies have reduced opponents three point average to 31.6%. While that is still about 200th in the country, it has been steadily improving. In the last eight games, UConn has held opponents to 35 threes on 131 shots. That is 26.7%, better than last year's 26.8% average, but not quite the 26.3% rate from two years ago. There are five more regular season games and the AAC tournament still left to further reduce that percentage.
Meanwhile, the Huskies have been steadily raising their own three point shooting average to 35.9% (179-498). That compares to nicely to two years ago when UConn hit 36.6% of their 3 pt shots. Last year, led by Kaleena's 48.8% accuracy rate, the Huskies made 40.6% of their threes. That was the best in quite some time.
The truth is the UConn defense has been superb inside the arc. Teams are left with little choice other than to put up three point shots. Some games, many have gone in, while in others, they have not. The game plan of taking 16-18 three point shots has not worked yet this season. Odds are it won't in the tournaments. Time will tell.
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Beth Mowins is so annoying. after Deshields hits a three she said "That could be huge for Tennessee to get her engine revved again". Again??? Revved up again??? She has been a TERRIBLE three point shooter this year. And not only this year but in her freshman year at UNC. AND in high school. What an absolutely stupid comment. The hype for this young lady is just ridiculous. Mowins rarely points out the bad plays, like the three turnovers or the many missed shots. (on edit she did say "that's a bad shot, a bad shot" later in the game). Crazy.
Then ESPN has a tweet from Chiney Ogwumike answering when asked who on Tennessee she will watch. and she said "we wach to see whether Diamond catches fire". Does she watch her play?
At least Beth got it right later in the game after Deshields hit a couple of free throws. "The hope....expectations here in Knoxville and nationwide is that Deshields will make a huge difference". She should have followed that statement up with "but she hasn't".
Since I'm on Tennessee players, is Jordan Reynolds the dumbest player in WCBB? I'm sorry, I know, she is just a young woman and I'm an old man trashing her, but sheesh!
In the Texas AM& OT loss, with three minutes left in the game, she took a shot with 28 seconds left on the shot clock when Tennessee was trying to run out the clock with an 11 point lead. A&M ended up tying the game with 5 seconds left. I don't know if that would have made the difference, but you HAVE to take 20 second off the clock.
In the South Carolina game, with the shot clock off and Tennessee in possession, once again Reynolds takes a shot with too much time left on the clock. With 16 second left, she takes a three pointer and misses giving South Carolina enough time to score at the other end. It was a really dumb play, but to make the same mistake twice like that is really dumb.
One last Beth Mowins shot. With 44 second left and Tennessee down nine, South Carolina turned the ball over (on a bad call) and she said "Tennessee is not done yet!!!". Yes, I added the exclamation points! She is just awful. Both announcers treated the last minute as if it was closer than 9 points at any point. It really sounded like wishful thinking.
I just read where Diamond Deshields father, former major league baseball player Delino Deshields tweeted during the game. Here is what he said:
@LadyVol_Hoops if Holly don't put @DDDeshields back n the game!!!! What are you doing?@HollyWarlick trying to beat the best without her best players on the court! #sad
Oh ... Now you put her in!?!?!@LadyVol_Hoops Good coaching recognize bad coaching!!
Oh ... Now you put her in!?!?!@LadyVol_Hoops Good coaching recognize bad coaching!!
Seriously? Tweeting about your daughters games? I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Wow.
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So, without further ado!!!
Ladies and Gents, DD looks at the news........
Gabby Williams starting to make impact for UConn women New Haven Register
UConn's talent trumps Temple's effort Carl Adamec
Another milestone in reach for UConn's Big 3 Jim Fuller
Upsets in Red
Late games in Green
No. 3 South Carolina Women Outlast No. 24 Tennessee 62-56 ABC News
No. 12 Texas A&M women beat Ole Miss 62-48 USA Today
South Florida 50 Louisville 67
No. 3 South Carolina Women Outlast No. 24 Tennessee 62-56 ABC News
No. 12 Texas A&M women beat Ole Miss 62-48 USA Today
South Florida 50 Louisville 67
South Florida Louisville
Thanks to Johnny C for sending me many of these numbers!!!
Breanna Rucker Bryant 26 points 10 rebounds
Darby Maggard Belmont 26 points
A'ja Wilson S. Carolina 25 points
Norianna Haynes Alcorn St. 21 points 10 rebounds 7 steals
Courtney Williams Texas A&M 12 points 11 rebounds
Haley Howard Tennessee-Martin 21 points
Rachel Banham Minnesota 35 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists
Courtney Williams South Florida 25 points 10 rebounds
Myisha Hines-Allen Louisville 25 points 10 rebounds
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Statistical Sites
NCAA 2015 Stats
NCAA Division I basketball records thru 2013-2014
ESPN Women's Basketball Stats
Women's Basketball State
NCAA 2015 Stats
NCAA Division I basketball records thru 2013-2014
ESPN Women's Basketball Stats
Women's Basketball State
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
CockyTalk - The upstart South Carolina women's basketball board
ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board
UCONN Information
Interesting Blogs and Links
Carl Adamec's blog, SNY
John Altavilla's blog, Hartford Courant
Jim Fuller's blog, New Haven Register
A Dime Back - A great web site for all UConn Sports, Including UConn Women
A Dime Back - A great web site for all UConn Sports, Including UConn Women
I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:
Was Doris told to speak more nicely notwithstanding facts? We all knock ESPN but who else has tried to promote WCBB like them?
ReplyDeleteI have to say I especially liked that Holly had no clue she was T'd up.
Deshields is the I , I , I , Me , Me , Me, cover girl of womans college basketball.....So so over rated. I wonder who is going to risk having her on their WNBA team..... if any !
ReplyDelete