Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 10/28/16

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The USA Today coaches preseason poll is now out and in a little surprise, UConn is No. 1, even with the loss of their three best players.

Connecticut is No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports women's basketball preseason poll USA Today

I would guess that happened based on a few different reasons. The first is that some coaches think that until they lose, the defending champion deserves that top spot. Another reason is the great respect (even though he is not loved) from his fellow coaches. The third is that some of the coaches might believe that the rest of the teams are just not good enough to topple the Huskies.

It's mostly just fodder for conversation on the message boards. And another opportunity for fans to try to show everyone how smart they are compared to the coaches that vote in this poll.

It should be very interesting to see how the AP writers poll compares. My gut tells me that UConn will not be No. 1 in that one. In fact, I would bet they are outside the top 3. I certainly would tend to move them off the top spot. I mean, losing your three top players has to bring them down to earth from their incredibly lofty position from last season.

Right now, UConn will be playing an incredibly tough schedule based on Coaches Poll.

They start the season on the road against No. 12 Florida State. They follow that up with a home game against No. 4 Baylor.

Their December schedule is ridiculous. They play the always tough No. 21 DePaul and then No. 6 Texas at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Then on the road to South Bend to play No. 2 Notre Dame. They follow that up at home against No. 6 Ohio State and end the month at No. 6 Maryland.

They finish this unprecedented OOC schedule on February 13th at home against No. 3 South Carolina.

That's No. 2,3,4,5,6,7 (tied for 6th), 12 and 21.

Seven games against top 21 teams. and 6 games against top 7 teams. Whew!

7-0 would be amazing. 6-1 spectacular. I'm guessing more like 5-2. Don't ask me which two yet. You will have to wait!!!!

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Tara Vandervere was inducted in her local Jewish HOF. Here was here comments.

"I was confused, quite honestly, when I got the call — because I’m not Jewish. But I’m really very honored,” said Tara VanDerveer, who as coach of the Stanford women’s basketball team has led the Cardinal to 985 victories and two national titles. “Everyone is saying, ‘I didn’t know you were Jewish,’ and I’m not. But it’s very exciting. I think I must have been invited because I’ve been to more bar mitzvahs then anyone else.”

Wonderful!!!!

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