Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 4/26/16

*****************************************************************************

Just a couple of thoughts on the recruiting trail for UConn.

I'm feeling better and better about UConn's chances for receiving a verbal soon from the number one player in the class of 2017 Megan Walker. The 6'1" swing player recently visited UConn on her second unofficial visit. That means it was all on her own dime. Always a good sign.

Also, on April 5th, Matthew Hatfield, the local HS expert on Virginia sports tweeted - "Going to be hard to beat out UCONN in my opinion. The favorite there.".

Coach Bill, AAU coach with great connections said this Monday - " I will add quickly & fully admit I do not have any source within Megan's close "circle" ... but I have had recent conversations with a couple people in basketball community that do know her, and have shared some insight that provides more value than just "outside speculation" and my belief currently.... IS that I see her choosing UConn."

And recently, Walker's twitter has her in a UConn tee shirt with dog ears and nose. You don't get drastic surgery like that unless you are serious.......haha...just kidding. But it sure shows interest.

She also has a retweet from Gabby Williams's twitter of her and the Uconn players/staff dancing....posted 04/20. Just more fuel to the fire.

My guess is we hear soon about a verbal. And she takes her official visit to UConn on First Night. At least I really hope so!!!

ALSO, just to get you even more excited, Marisa Mosley and Chris Daily are BOTH following Azura Stevens on twitter. Stevens recently announced her intentions of transferring out of Duke. Mosley and more so Daily following players is very unusual. They don't do this lightly. The drums are starting to beat about her interest in UConn.

From Raoul on twitter:

Raoul ‏@raoul_000 3m3 minutes ago
WBB: Early speculation had 6-6 Duke transfer Azurá Stevens going to South Carolina; perhaps she'll actually land at UConn.

Raoul is a Michigan grad that tweets about women's college ball a lot but rarely if ever has inside information. He's an information aggregator; he posts articles, twitter info, etc. Kinda like what I do. He was hoping that Stevens would look at Michigan as she has a relationship with their coach. It looks like he has looked at twitter activity to get a feel for what's going on with Azura Stevens since the information is very scarce. He probably noticed that CD and Marisa are now following Stevens on twitter and knows that UConn coaches don't do such things randomly. Azura also now follows Gabby Williams, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. UConn is trending!

She would be a great fit for the Huskies. At 6'6 and with the ability to run the court and hit the three pointer, I'm really hoping she decides to come to UConn. I've felt that since I first heard of her leaving Duke.

More to come........

*****************************************************************************

By David in Naples

In the past four years, UConn has had 16 players record 100+ assists in a season. That is an average of four players per year, and an average of 140 assists per player. This season, the Huskies had four players come in with between 104-204 assists. Unfortunately, three of the four graduated, including the top three assist leaders. All told, 57% of UConn's assists from last year are gone. Clearly, Moriah's 204 assists and superb ball handling will be missed the most.

Kia Nurse is the most veteran player returning next year. She had 108 assists as a freshman and followed that up with 104 this past season. Keep in mind Jefferson had 69 her first season. Second behind Nurse with 82 assists, was Katie Lou Samuelson. KLS actually had 65% of her assists in the last half of the season as she became more and more comfortable with Geno's offensive scheme. Gabby Williams finished the year with 51 assists, followed by both Napheesa and Saniya Chong with 34 assists. Courtney Ekmark and Natalie Butler rounded out the group with 23 and 21 assists respectively.

Many fans will be watching for a breakout season from Saniya at the point guard, or a faster than normal development of Crystal Dangerfield. Without one of those events, Kia becomes the point and KLS the 2. Both have shown they can find the open shooter with 186 combined assists in 2015-16. Look also for Collier and Williams to increase their assists dramatically. Somebody will have to replace the 465 assists that left.

Go Huskies..!!

*****************************************************************************