Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 9/22/16

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My daughter complained there were no pictures of her son lately so.............

Cuter than cute!!!!

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Here is another question I posed earlier.

"Can the freshman Dangerfield come in and take over the point guard spot?"

This could actually be the key to this season. You have an all-American point guard to replace. And it won't be easy. I'm not sure Geno will start her from the get-go, but I do expect her to play a lot of minutes early. She played with Collier and future teammate Stevens on the U19 USA team and came off the bench in all seven games. She was terrific though in running the team. She had 19 assists and only 4 turnovers. She didn't shoot well, but she showed she belonged with the likes of A'ja Wilson, Lauren Cox Maria Moore and other terrific teammates. She had the trust of the coaches getting the most minutes off the bench.

She is quick and tough. Strong for a 5'5 player.

It might take a little while but she is certainly capable of running the offense. I expect her to share the point with both Nurse and Chong with the later two playing a more of hybrid guard and not just a playmaking guard. But more on Nurse and Chong later.

Keep an eye on Geno's substitution pattern with Dangerfield. It should be interesting to see how quick a hook Geno has with her early. Teaching moments.

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

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Early last season, UConn critics were calling the Huskies out for their 3 point defense and 3 point shooting. After DePaul, Notre Dame and Colgate hit a combined 35 three pointers in three consecutive games for a 51% average, some were ready to write off the season. Added to the problem was a slow start for Katie Lou Samuelson, the heir apparent to Kaleena behind the 3 pt arc. Skeptics were quick to point out every miss by KLS and every make by opponents. What happened over the whole season? Well, Geno and company adjusted, like they always do.

Opponents finished the season shooting 29.9% from 3 pt range, making 209 baskets on 698 attempts. The 2nd half of the season saw UConn hold opponents under 23% from long range and a combined 8 for 38 or 21% in the Final Four. In the Final, Syracuse actually shot 10.5% from outside the arc. 8-)

UConn, led by Katie Lou, improved their long range accuracy over the course of the campaign, to finish with 295 three point baskets and 38.1% accuracy. KLS caught fire and ended up with 78 of 198 threes for 39.4%. The two best shooters for accuracy, MoJeff and Stewie at 42% and 43%, have graduated. But, Kia Nurse with 51 threes and Saniya Chong with 21 are back to compliment Katie Lou. Look for Napheesa Collier to improve her 3 pt shooting and become more of an outside threat. In addition, all three freshman can and will make 3's as needed.

Over the past four seasons, UConn has made 295, 330, 295 and 325 three point baskets. They shoot 3's often and well to open up the inside game. This season should be no different. Watch for KLS, Kia and company to keep defenses honest with long range shooting. Go Huskies..!!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Elimination Games Wednesday

Phoenix Mercury 89 Indianapolis Fever 78

Seattle Storm 85 Atlanta Dream 94

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

Diana Taurasi Phoenix 20 points 3 rebounds 3 assists
Brittany Griner Phoenix 18 points 9 rebounds 3 blocks
Tamika Catchings Indianapolis 13 points 10 rebounds 3 steals
Briann January Indianapolis 12 points 9 assists
Breanna Stewart Seattle 19 points 7 rebounds 3 assists3 steals
Sue Bird Seattle 12 points 7 assists 3 steals
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Seattle 8 point
Angel McCoughtry Atlanta 37 points 7 assists

Bria Holmes Atlanta 21 points 7 rebounds

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