Doggydaddy's Den: DoggyDaddy's Dailies 3/10/17

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Logan is so happy!!!! He is wearing his cowboy boots getting ready for when UConn is in the final four in Dallas!

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Congrats to Geno for winning the ESPN Coach of the Year award. I'm sure it's just the first of several that he will win this year.

What an amazing job by Auriemma. Losing who he lost and still being undefeated is something else. It just shows everyone that his system, both teaching and strategy, is so far ahead of everyone else. He has great players, but he makes them greater.

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With the announcement of Dawn Staley as the new head coach of the USA National Team, the great run of Geno as the head coach is over. Much of this info is from Wikipedia.

Auriemma was named head coach of the USA women's team that competed in the Junior World Championship July 2001. The team won its first five games but lost in the medal round when they faced the host team, the Czech Republic. The USA team beat Australia 77–72 to win the bronze medal.

Geno was named head coach of the USA Women's National team prior to the 2010 World Championships and 2012 Olympics.

Auriemma was again named head coach of the US Women's Basketball team for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women and the 2016 Summer Olympics. In the 2014 World Championship, his team went 6–0 and won the gold medal, outscoring their opponents 553–380 over the six games – an average margin of victory of almost 30 points per game.

Yes, Geno favored his UConn players. It really pissed off some fans of other teams, especially when Parker was not picked. I won't miss all the controversy when the final rosters were announced. Now it's all on Dawn. Will she still pick UConn players? Will she pick more South Carolina players?

Yeah, I know the coach makes the final roster selections. Uh huh...lol.

My guess is that if they are still playing and want to play, Bird and Taurasi are still no brainers. So is Moore. And Charles. Oh yeah...so is Stewart. Yep, still 5 UConn players, no matter how you look at it.

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Make sure you read David's numbers in this blog. I think people too many people compare Crystal Dangerfield to the final version of Moriah Jefferson. But his great write-up really hits the nail on the head.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

About two seconds after Crystal Dangerfield signed with UConn, the comparisons with Moriah Jefferson started. After all, Jefferson was a role model for Dangerfield and their physical size & style were very similar. Since MoJeff was graduating, it was assumed Crystal would have a brief "settling in" period and then take over at the point. After the Baylor game, people assumed the "settling in" was over and the Dangerfield era had begun. Then, some erratic play and injuries delayed Crystal's becoming one of the starting five. The comparison's to MoJeff seemed to stop and Saniya's improved play brought the "should Crystal start" debate to an end.

Then, Kia Nurse went out with a stress reaction in her foot. A walking boot, civilian clothes and a spot on the bench next to Shea Ralph were all UConn fans saw of Kia. Dangerfield was now starting, ready or not. So how is the comparison to Moriah playing out at this point? Consider:

1. Games played - Moriah played all 39 games her freshman year and started 2. Crystal has played only 26 of the 32 so far, but started 6.
2. Points - MoJeff scored 182 points for an average of 4.7 per game. Crystal is at 165 points, but the average is 6.3.
3. Assists - Moriah had 69 assists and 49 turnovers vs Crystal's 97 assists and 46 turnovers. Crystal has also had some fancy, "did I just see that" assists. 8-)

4. Steals - Jefferson came up with 52 steals her first year. Dangerfield has 28, but is improving as a threat on defense.
5. Rebounds - Totals are almost even with Mo finishing at 64 and Crystal already at 60.
6. Three point shooting - Many forget that Moriah only went 17-64 or 26.6% from 3 range as a frosh. Crystal is now 22-70 or 31.4%.
7. Free throws - MoJeff went 19-25 or 76%. Crystal is 15-24 or 62.5%.
8. Shooting % - Mo made 73 or 172 shots from the field, or 42.4%. Crystal is at 64-159 or 40.3%.

Overall, both Moriah and Crystal have had freshman jitters and at the same time, given sneak peaks at what is to come. Stats are fairly even except assists for Crystal and steals for Mo. Crystal has been thrown into the fire a bit more, due to the thin roster and injuries. UConn fans are probably right to expect the final product will rival Jefferson and possibly match Mo's brilliant career. It is going to be fun to watch..!!

Go Huskies..!!

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UCONN LINKS

Auriemma, Ollie Under Contract At UConn Through 2021 For Close To $31M Courant

Why Would UConn Keep Silent On Contracts For Ollie, Auriemma? Jeff Jacobs

Alysa Auriemma On Feminism, Learning From Geno, And How Women’s Sports Have Evolved UPROXX

Former UConn Walk-On Lawlor Enjoying The Ride CBS Connecticut

UConn's former walk-on Lawlor shooting for her fourth title USA Today

Recapping the second episode of HBO's The March to Madness NCAA

What's Greater ... The Number of Pringles in a Can or the UConn Win Streak Total? Patch

AAC is making progress but UConn women's basketball still in a league of its own Central Ct