Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 9/21/16

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I wrote some optimistic words about Natalie Butler's upcoming season for UConn. And I got some feedback from reader that they just can't get on board with that assessment.

I do understand. She really underperformed last year. So why would this year be any different?

Better health both physically and mentally. And they really need her. I just have a feeling that will spur her on to a much better season.

My friend Linkster said this about her - "Butler has all the physical tools, 6'5", reasonable foot speed, fast down the court. She makes huge strides and goobles up the floor from foul line to foul line."

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Tiffany Hayes received her seventh technical and that means an automatic 1 game suspension. Unfortunately for Hayes and the Atlanta Dream, it means she will miss the single elimination game against the Seattle Storm.

It's hard to justify all the technicals, but the referees in the WNBA are just horrible. I mean really bad.

The league really needs to work on this. I hope they review every game in order to evaluate the refs and force the bad ones out and improve the ones that they keep. It's that bad!

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It's not over till it's over!!!!

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UConn's 2016-17 roster is posted and the change from last season is dramatic. Consider the following:
1. 42% of last year's 12 players are gone due to graduation and transfer. Four graduated (Mo, Stewie, Tuck and Polly) and Courtney Ekmark returned to her native Arizona.

2. Five new players are on the roster, but only 3 are eligible to play. Freshmen Crystal Dangerfield, Molly Bent and Kyla Irwin have been on campus all summer and are ready to contribute when called on.

3. The other two new players, Azura Stevens and Batouly Camara, are transfers who can practice with the team, but not play in games.

4. There are only two seniors on this year's squad, Saniya Chong and Tierney Lawlor. Gabby, Kia and Natalie are the elder statesman with Junior eligibility.

5. UConn enters the season with 10 healthy and eligible players on the roster.

Look for Geno and staff to mix and match lineups early in the season to figure out the starting five and substitution patterns. Nothing truly matters until April, so the Huskies have five months to get it right.

Go Huskies..!!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Elimination Games Wednesday

Phoenix Mercury @ Indianapolis Fever

Seattle Storm @ Atlanta Dream

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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