I just got back home from Bradley after flying home after a week in Florida with my son and his family. I'm glad it was a quiet night so not much to report.
Here is my UConn/Tulane Pre Game report.
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My friend Cat listened to the Geno show with Bob Joyce on WTIC radio. The guest for second half-hour was Carol Callan from USA basketball.
Geno: February closer to tournament time and something all players look forward to and everyone who plays college basketball aspires to. What seems like forever to get here now it dawns on you that you need to pick things up a bit. UConn back now at Gample after a lot of travel during January. Playing at Gampel will be a lot of fun for the kids. The travel has been pretty grueling with long trips. Better that these trips were in January rather than February; at least players didn't miss a lot of school.
Geno on the Memphis game: Moriah was disappointed with first half. Forcing turnovers has been big in recent games. The defense is picking up, and Gabby is really involved. We've been much more aggressive.
Moriah tied Bria for #5 in assists in UConn history. DT, Jen, Renee, Sue then Bria and Moriah. Moriah such a good on-ball defender. Other good on-ball defenders in program include Jennifer R, Debbie Fiske, Renee, Ashley Battle and Kalana Greene.
On the upcoming Tulane game. They lost a lot from last year. They have a good coach and they lie to change defenses a lot. They will try to slow the game down, so we will have to score and score early to get them to speed up.
Geno said that Morgan practiced on Friday and didn't feel comfortable on Saturday. She practiced a little bit Monday and Tuesday and tomorrow will give it a go.
Geno on the Memphis game: Moriah was disappointed with first half. Forcing turnovers has been big in recent games. The defense is picking up, and Gabby is really involved. We've been much more aggressive.
Moriah tied Bria for #5 in assists in UConn history. DT, Jen, Renee, Sue then Bria and Moriah. Moriah such a good on-ball defender. Other good on-ball defenders in program include Jennifer R, Debbie Fiske, Renee, Ashley Battle and Kalana Greene.
On the upcoming Tulane game. They lost a lot from last year. They have a good coach and they lie to change defenses a lot. They will try to slow the game down, so we will have to score and score early to get them to speed up.
Geno said that Morgan practiced on Friday and didn't feel comfortable on Saturday. She practiced a little bit Monday and Tuesday and tomorrow will give it a go.
The team's FT % shooting best in country. We're not shooting a lot of FTs and we'd like to shoot more. We shoot a lot of open shots and aren't necessarily driving to basket; we're more pass-oriented and don't draw a lot of fouls. We don't foul a lot and don't get to line a lot. But it's good to know we have kids who can get to line and knock them down.
You can control how much you foul. Good players don't foul; that's what makes them good players.
Who has improve most since day one of practice? Gabby probably. Should win the most improved player in league. More confident, more patient. Can slow game down for herself. She's playing like someone who has experience. It's amazing difference in her foul line jumper. So natural for her.
ECU tries to make the game unconventional. Trap at crazy times. Shots coming when not expecting. Frenetic quality to way they play. Like the DePaul game but more so. Test your ability to stay composed.
Carol Callan joined the show.
She said the biggest reasons Geno was chosen as USA coach? No better coach in the US; no better coach at coaching elite athletes and no better coach at coaching when you're the hunted.
Geno added: Coaching USA BB is like being the Queen of England. I'm ceremonial. Carol is like Prime Minister Churchill. I just ride along in the car and wave and Carol does all the work.
When asked who has say in decide on the team? Carol said we are different than the USA men's team. Jerry Colangelo and Coach K make the decisions. We use a committee of people; there are five on the national team selection committee. That group selects the players. Steering committee gives coach and program direction. A lot of overlap. We get input from Geno; it's a very collaborative effort.
How many will attend training camp in Storrs? We have 20 of the 25 that are interested in coming. Four are overseas in China and don't know if playoffs will overlap. Right now, Euro league and club team break so national teams can go through qualifying tournaments. Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker are over in China. May get 2 of the 4; whoever on losing teams in playoffs.
Geno: These players know the competition from playing them in Europe. Best source of information. They pick things up quickly. Trying to get people together; who's healthy who isn't; trying to predict in to future; are younger players are up to this level. Not an audition.
Carol: there are 1 or 2 who can play their way on to the team. European tournament 1 or 2 really played very well. Against easy teams, everybody looks like a superstar. It's really about fitting pieces together.
How much has landscape changed in 20 years? In '96, everybody newcomer except Edwards and McClain; we had plenty of time to work on game, make mistakes. Amazing how much time we had to spend together. Now, we don't have much time together, so requires experience, a type of player who is able to pick things up quickly. So many UConn players, is a benefit since know offense inside-out. Helps when have so little time together. Also, so many of players know the players on the other national teams from playing them overseas. That is a real advantage. [Note, this is an interesting comment. Neither DelleDonne nor Diggins play overseas. They may be the only two who have never played professionally overseas.]
Geno and players looking forward to playing next Monday at SC. Should be great environment. Loves playing games like that.
Carol: Coaching staff. Have to pick the right people. When supposed to win it's not the easiest thing to do. There will always be one game where things don't go your way. Want somebody coach feels comfortable with; a confidante Geno can go to and Doug is that.
Dawn is a 3-time Olympian. Has done so much for USA BB. Coach of U-19 team. Cheryl Reeves has won multiple championships.
Geno: don't have a lot of time. Having the world championships was a trial run. Appears easy because we have best players. But not best of 7; it's one night. Fluke stuff happens. Only takes one bad night and hopes and dreams go up in smoke. That is why so much angst among coaches, players, Carol, etc. It's 4 years in the making. Two weeks to justify the work of 4 years.
Carol: the amount of time people put in to it; so invested that they refuse to be denied. We make it look easy at times, but harder than people understand.
You can control how much you foul. Good players don't foul; that's what makes them good players.
Who has improve most since day one of practice? Gabby probably. Should win the most improved player in league. More confident, more patient. Can slow game down for herself. She's playing like someone who has experience. It's amazing difference in her foul line jumper. So natural for her.
ECU tries to make the game unconventional. Trap at crazy times. Shots coming when not expecting. Frenetic quality to way they play. Like the DePaul game but more so. Test your ability to stay composed.
Carol Callan joined the show.
She said the biggest reasons Geno was chosen as USA coach? No better coach in the US; no better coach at coaching elite athletes and no better coach at coaching when you're the hunted.
Geno added: Coaching USA BB is like being the Queen of England. I'm ceremonial. Carol is like Prime Minister Churchill. I just ride along in the car and wave and Carol does all the work.
When asked who has say in decide on the team? Carol said we are different than the USA men's team. Jerry Colangelo and Coach K make the decisions. We use a committee of people; there are five on the national team selection committee. That group selects the players. Steering committee gives coach and program direction. A lot of overlap. We get input from Geno; it's a very collaborative effort.
How many will attend training camp in Storrs? We have 20 of the 25 that are interested in coming. Four are overseas in China and don't know if playoffs will overlap. Right now, Euro league and club team break so national teams can go through qualifying tournaments. Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker are over in China. May get 2 of the 4; whoever on losing teams in playoffs.
Geno: These players know the competition from playing them in Europe. Best source of information. They pick things up quickly. Trying to get people together; who's healthy who isn't; trying to predict in to future; are younger players are up to this level. Not an audition.
Carol: there are 1 or 2 who can play their way on to the team. European tournament 1 or 2 really played very well. Against easy teams, everybody looks like a superstar. It's really about fitting pieces together.
How much has landscape changed in 20 years? In '96, everybody newcomer except Edwards and McClain; we had plenty of time to work on game, make mistakes. Amazing how much time we had to spend together. Now, we don't have much time together, so requires experience, a type of player who is able to pick things up quickly. So many UConn players, is a benefit since know offense inside-out. Helps when have so little time together. Also, so many of players know the players on the other national teams from playing them overseas. That is a real advantage. [Note, this is an interesting comment. Neither DelleDonne nor Diggins play overseas. They may be the only two who have never played professionally overseas.]
Geno and players looking forward to playing next Monday at SC. Should be great environment. Loves playing games like that.
Carol: Coaching staff. Have to pick the right people. When supposed to win it's not the easiest thing to do. There will always be one game where things don't go your way. Want somebody coach feels comfortable with; a confidante Geno can go to and Doug is that.
Dawn is a 3-time Olympian. Has done so much for USA BB. Coach of U-19 team. Cheryl Reeves has won multiple championships.
Geno: don't have a lot of time. Having the world championships was a trial run. Appears easy because we have best players. But not best of 7; it's one night. Fluke stuff happens. Only takes one bad night and hopes and dreams go up in smoke. That is why so much angst among coaches, players, Carol, etc. It's 4 years in the making. Two weeks to justify the work of 4 years.
Carol: the amount of time people put in to it; so invested that they refuse to be denied. We make it look easy at times, but harder than people understand.
Thanks again Cat. Some really interesting stuff!
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From David in Naples
UConn leads the nation in free throw accuracy with a 79.6% rate, (238-299). The Huskies have five players shooting 82% or better from the charity stripe. Three more are at 73% or better on their free throws. Last year, UConn shot 72.6% and during the 2013-14 season they hit free throws at 75.0%.
Clearly, the biggest improvement has been Gabby Williams, who went from 46.2% last year to 76.5% so far this season. It also didn't hurt to add freshman Katie Lou to the equation with an 87.5% free throw rate. But the biggest boost to the free throw average has come from Napheesa Collier, who is 26-28 or 92.9% from the stripe..!! Wow..!
In order, the best free throw shooters for UConn are Collier (92.9%), Katie Lou (87.5%), MoJeff (87.0%), Stewie (83.8%) and Saniya (82.4%). Gabby, Morgan and Kia are grouped at the 73%-77% level. Stewie gets fouled the most and is 62 for 74. Next, for made free throws, is Tuck (30), Nurse (28) and then Gabby & Collier with 26. Moriah is accurate, but only has 20 made on 23 tries.
In the first 10 game s this year, UConn made 74.6% of their free throw attempts, (129-173). In the last 10 games, the have improved that average to 86.5%, (109-126). The Huskies have made 238 free throws this season, which is 152 more than their opponents. That gives them 7.6 more points per game from the line. Probably not a good idea.
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Clearly, the biggest improvement has been Gabby Williams, who went from 46.2% last year to 76.5% so far this season. It also didn't hurt to add freshman Katie Lou to the equation with an 87.5% free throw rate. But the biggest boost to the free throw average has come from Napheesa Collier, who is 26-28 or 92.9% from the stripe..!! Wow..!
In order, the best free throw shooters for UConn are Collier (92.9%), Katie Lou (87.5%), MoJeff (87.0%), Stewie (83.8%) and Saniya (82.4%). Gabby, Morgan and Kia are grouped at the 73%-77% level. Stewie gets fouled the most and is 62 for 74. Next, for made free throws, is Tuck (30), Nurse (28) and then Gabby & Collier with 26. Moriah is accurate, but only has 20 made on 23 tries.
In the first 10 game s this year, UConn made 74.6% of their free throw attempts, (129-173). In the last 10 games, the have improved that average to 86.5%, (109-126). The Huskies have made 238 free throws this season, which is 152 more than their opponents. That gives them 7.6 more points per game from the line. Probably not a good idea.
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I hate flying. My right ear is blocked. I sat next to a very large woman that spread into my space.
And to the South Carolina fans that calls this a "little blog" and said I only post links and have no original material? Kiss my doggydaddy butt. How's that for original?
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So, without further ado!!!
Ladies and Gents, DD looks at the news........
Green Wave Hoops My New Orleans
Notebook: Stewart going camping? Carl Adamec
Tulane faces explosive UConn The Advocate
UConn women: Nurse aims to cure struggles Roger Cleaveland
UConn freshmen Collier, Samuelson gaining confidence The Register Citizen
Women’s basketball gameday capsule: No. 1 UConn at Tulane New Haven Register
Stewart Set To Pass Charles, Take No. 2 Spot On UConn Scoring List Hartford Courant
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Upsets in Red
Late games in Green
Walker-Kimbrough scores 41, No. 5 Maryland women beat Purdue ESPN
No. 15 Stanford women beat California in Pac-12 basketball The Seattle Times
Walker-Kimbrough scores 41, No. 5 Maryland women beat Purdue ESPN
No. 15 Stanford women beat California in Pac-12 basketball The Seattle Times
NO AAC GAMES ON THE SCHEDULE
Thanks to Johnny C for sending me many of these numbers!!!
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough MD 41 points
Jadda Buckley Iowa St. 14 points 11 assists
Brianna Banks Penn St. 12 points
Rachel Theriot Nebraska 14 assists
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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:
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