Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 2/7/2016

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Ho Hum....another big UConn win over an overmatched AAC team. UConn doubled up East Carolina 92-46. The big news was 20 points by Kia Nurse, a season high, after going scoreless the game before.

So, the day after I defend Nurse for her all around play in spite of her 0-6 shooting the other day, what does she do? She ruins my rant by going 4-7 from behind the arc against East Carolina.

Seriously, I'm so happy for her. Hopefully this will get her going offensively. It's just one more weapon and UConn will need them all against South Carolina.

Stewie had another double-double with 17 points and 12 assists. Jefferson had 16 points and 8 assists. Tuck only played 17 minutes but had 7 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Geno was pleased with how aggressive the team has been offensively and said it's exactly how they need to play. It's clear to me he is very pleased in how the team is playing.

This team is a ready as they can be to go into the GameCocks home court with 18,000 crazy fans cheering for their team and against them.

Speaking of that game, here is my UConn/South Carolina Pre Game Report.

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In a key matchup in the AAC and one for second place in the conference. In a really great game, Temple upset No. 19 South Florida 68-66.

South Florida was up by eight points with nine minutes left in the game when Temple went on a 13-2 run to take a 57-54 lead with 6 minutes remaining. Courtney Williams hit a three to tie.

After a few minutes of back and forth scoring, Temple grabbed another three point lead and Williams hit another three to tie. She is such a clutch player. With the score tied, Temple had the ball with 26 seconds left. They held the ball and settled for a jumper by Fitzgerald who missed with 3 seconds left. But Temple's Erica Coville grabbed the rebounds and hit a put back jumper for the winning basket with one tick on the clock. What an exciting game!!!

While neither team shot particularly well, South Florida did hit 50% of their threes. Both teams had 15 assists each and while USF did have 16 turnovers, Temple only had eight. Both teams shot very well from the foul line.

Overall a well played game. Much more pleasing to watch than the dreck you see in a typical SEC game.

So, here is my first push for a 3rd team from the AAC to make the tournament. Right now that team is Temple. While Tulane's win Saturday makes them 16-7 and 7-4 in the AAC, Temples win over USF makes them 15-7 and 9-2 in the conference. So why Temple?

Well, after a slow 3-4 start, Temple has gone 12-3 with one of those losses to UConn. They do have a couple of WTF losses that will hurt them, but they have TWO top 25 wins in beating Florida and now South Florida.

Come one committee, Temple will play better than many of the several SEC teams you end up picking. Do the right thing......GO OWLS!!!

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From David in Naples

UConn entered the game against East Carolina ranked #1 in the country in five different categories, including points scored, points allowed and field goal %. The Huskies improved their 90.0 scoring average by pouring in 92 against the Lady Pirates. They allowed only 46 pts, below the average of 48.6 pts per game. UConn also raised their FG % of 53.2 by hitting 55.1% of their shots.

Today's scoring margin of 46 points also improved UConn's average of 41.4 per game. Although they only took 5 free throws, making all of them will raise the 80.1% the Huskies carried into the game. UConn was also ranked 2nd in the country in assist/turnover ration. Their 22 assists and 11 turnover against East Carolina comes out to an even 2.0 and beats the existing 1.8 ratio. To round out their stats, the Huskies matched their 22 per game assist average, which placed them 3rd in the nation. This great game will help UConn keep their lead in the most important statistical categories.

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My friend David not only does a great job with numbers, he does a pretty good rant as well. I thought it would fit in this section.

It is beyond my ability to comprehend how UConn fans watching the game against East Carolina can complain. About anything.. Yet, several did. "KLS went 1-4." "Natalie's hands aren't strong enough." And my all time favorite, "UConn is not going to be a top 10 team next year." Wah, Wah, Wah....
Try focusing on the positives. For example:
1. The Huskies scored 92 points on 55.1% shooting.
2. Kia Nurse erupted for 20 points, a season high.
3. UConn had 11 three point baskets and made all 5 free throws.
4. Stewie had a double-double, 17 pts & 10 rebounds.
5. UConn had 15 offensive rebounds.
6. Six players made 3 point baskets.
7. Nurse & Chong played a combined 51 minutes and had 2 turnovers.

The list of positives from this game goes on and on..!! UConn plays undefeated, #2 South Carolina in 2 days and NEXT year is under discussion by several idiots..?? Seriously, just stop following the team & get therapy..!!

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So, without further ado!!!

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