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Long day at work. We catered a nice Friday night dinner and the people didn't want to leave!!! Finally cleared out so we could finish cleaning up.

So excuse the short dailies.

Time for some sleep!

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Ok, I'm sure most UConn fans would have put three players on the first team all-American team. But I must confess, I didn't think that any of the several AA teams would actually do it. I know that there is one awards team that UConn could only nominate two players.

But wow....seeing it in writing is just amazing!!!

Trio of Huskies headline espnW All-America first team

From the article -

Napheesa Collier*, UConn, F, 6-foot-1, sophomore

2016-17: 20.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 68.9 FG percentage

She could have been a freshman star elsewhere, but was playing behind the likes of Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck last season. There were signs even then that Collier would step into the limelight this season. She plays with a smooth, calm, almost surgical efficiency, and has been able to defend many different types of players.

Katie Lou Samuelson*, UConn, G/F, 6-foot-3, sophomore

2016-17: 21.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 43.7 percent from 3-point range

She didn't get to play in the 2016 national championship game because of a broken bone in her foot, and it's as though she has been making up for that ever since. Samuelson came to UConn as a great 3-point shooter; her 10-for-10 performance from behind the arc in the American Athletic Conference tournament final showcased that. But her overall game also has flourished this season.

Gabby Williams, UConn, F, 5-foot-11, junior

2016-17: 13.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 5.25 assists

An outstanding overall athlete, she is in the process of fully blossoming as an elite basketball player. Williams has done whatever UConn has needed, and seems equally good at everything: scoring, rebounding, passing and defending. Like teammate Napheesa Collier, she's adept at shutting down players bigger than she is. Williams is also a thoughtful, respected vocal leader, which the Huskies needed.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

You don't have to look very far to see improvement on UConn's team this year versus last season. In fact, every player has better statistics than last year. One of the most dramatic improvements has been with Napheesa Collier. Pheesa played in all 38 games for the Huskies in 2015-16 and started 9 of them. Her 6.8 point per game average and 5.2 rebounds per game average were very respectable for a freshman playing with superstars. She was a valuable piece in a UConn machine that rolled through the season undefeated and captured their 11th National Championship.

With the superstars gone, Napheesa has stepped up big time. She has already scored 647 points vs 258 all of last season. That is a 151% improvement. Her 266 baskets leads the team and are over 160 hoops better than last year's 106. From a 6.8 point average, Pheesa now pours in 20.2 points per game. Her other stats show similar growth. Rebounds are up from 197 to 285, with the average now 8.9 per game. With Stewie gone, Collier has become the best shot blocker with 63 blocks vs 47 last year. Assists are improved too, going from 34 to 70. Turnovers are up as well, but only from 39 to 47.

By far the most noticeable improvement has been in Napheesa's 3 point shooting. Last season she tried 13 threes and made only 2. Geno even asked why she practiced them if she couldn't make them in games. This year, she is hitting threes at a 41.5% clip, going 17-41. In your face, Geno... 8-)

What makes Collier's stats even more amazing is the fact that she does her work down in the lane, where the taller players live. Most nights, Pheesa gives away a few inches in height and a few pounds in weight. It truly doesn't matter. Her quickness and ability to get great shots more than makes up for her being slightly undersized. She too fast for bigger players and too strong for anyone her size.

Now it is time for Collier to shine in the Big Dance..!!

Go Huskies..!!

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