Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 10/8/16

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On to another question I posed in regards to the upcoming UConn women's season.

"Word is Williams had made a another big jump in her skill level this off season. How will that translate in game production?"

Last season worked on the most obvious issue in her game from her freshman season. Her horrible FT shooting. She was at 46.2%. With hard work she was able to bring that up to a more than respectable 74.1%. A fantastic improvement that just show was you can do when you practice practice practice!!!

So, where do we think she improved with the same attention to her weaknesses as she did with her FT shooting? My guess is she worked on her perimeter game. She did take more outside shots than her freshman year and showed more confidence when taking them. I don't know her percentage on those shots, but it was much improved. I would guess she took the next step and worked hard on taking her game beyond the three point arc. She didn't take ONE three pointer last year. I would expect that to change. UConn needs to replace the outside threats that graduated and both Williams and Collier will have to help in that regard.

How will that translate into game production? Well, just increasing her minutes from the 18.8 she played last year to 22-25 MPG will get her PPG to double digits. With the big three gone, she will be expected to take and make more shots. Her 63% FG shooting was outstanding and it was not fluke as it duplicated her percentage from her freshman year. If she can continue to keep up that high percentage and take her game outside, it will open up driving lanes for her as well. All that means is more points for her. I'm guessing 13-15 ppg.

Her jumping jack ability to rebound will also allow her to have more double-doubles as the season progresses. Look for her rebounding productions to increase by a couple per game and that would get her close to 8 per game.

Gabby should make that big jump in leadership and more accountability to help replace the big three. I can see an AA type breakout season for her. And UConn will need it!!!

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It's not over till it's over!!!! But it's looking bad!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Saniya Chong returns this season for her Senior year with the Huskies. Perhaps because expectations were so high, her results from last year have been labeled "disappointing." Keeping in mind her painful injury, her career low in games (33), minutes (410), made threes (21), assists (34) and points (123) are explainable. Still, her three year numbers show how talented this point guard really can be. Consider:

1. Games - Saniya has played in 110 games for UConn, starting 9. Prior to missing 5 games last year, Chong had played in every game except 2.

2. Minutes - Last year's 410 minutes was dramatically lower than sophomore's 723 and freshman's 665. Still, Saniya brings 1,800 minutes of experience to the Huskies.

3. Three point shots - Chong's career average for 3 pt shots is 35% or 85-243. Overall, her shooting average is 44.1% or 177-401.

4. Assists vs turnovers - Saniya has always had a great assist to turnover ratio. Prior to last year it was 1.97, but her injury kept Saniya down to only 34 assists and 22 to's. For all three years, she has 168 assists and 102 turnovers. That is a 1.65 ratio.

5. Free throws - Always a great free throw shooter, Chong's career average is 80.8% on 80-99 shooting.

6. Points - Once again, last year's 123 points were lower than the previous two seasons at 183 and 213 points. Her career total of 519 should improve this year.

When healthy, Saniya is a great ball handler and good three point shot. Whether she can start for Geno and stay in the starting lineup remains to be seen. Worse case, she can be a reliable sub giving Geno senior leadership off the bench, averaging 15-17 minutes per game. Watch for Saniya to surprise this season and have her best season at UConn.