Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 1/11/18

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Here is my UConn/Houston Pregame Report.

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OK, I've calmed down about the game. After watching the game again and listening to Geno and the players, the Huskies should have reacted better in the first half to all the physical play and the way the refs were calling the game. Sometimes that is just the way it is and UConn had to learn to play better in that environment. They did in the second half!

So, here is just a few videos, some highlights and interviews. Enjoy!!!

Game Recap

Game Highlights

Geno Post Game Inteview

UConn players post game interviews

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Only four top 25 games Wednesday night, but there were two upsets.

No. 7 Texas was upset by TCU 79-77 on two free throws by Kianna Ray with 6 seconds left in the game. TCU used a HUGE second quarter (26-9) to help them build a lead that Texas wasn't able to overcome. Not a good loss for Texas. They now play Kansas at home on Saturday before the Huskies come a calling on Monday. The Longhorns are really struggling with their bigs this season. Jatari White has been up and down, and really struggled in this game going 2-12. Joyner Holmes had another weak game with 2 points in 10 minutes. She hasn't been able to find her footing since coming back in the winter session. It's the three guards, McCarty, Atkins and Higgs are carrying this team. Should be an interesting game with UConn.

No. 21 Rutgers, freshly into the top 25, embarrassed themselves against unranked Purdue, losing

47-33. Yes, these two teams combined for the same amount of points UConn scored against UCF in an off offensive game for the Huskies...lol. Amazing. Rutgers only scores 10 points in the first half. No, that is not a misprint. TEN! Neither team scored more than 15 points in any quarter.

It's not often that a top 25 teams wins an UGGY award but Rutgers worked hard for this one!!

33 points on 15-56 shooting (26.8%), 1-20 on threes, 20 turnovers and 8 assists.

Congrats Scarlett Knights!!!!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

UConn only scored 80 points against UCF last night. In addition, the final margin of victory was only 36, so they had a bad game, right? Some fair weather fans may think so, but the stats give a different picture. Let's start with the point total. Worst output of the year? No, the Huskies only scored 78 against Stanford, 78 versus UCLA and 80 against Notre Dame. Yes, but those are good teams and UCF isn't. Maybe...

What fans saw last night was a bad first half of basketball, followed by a very good half. Shooting % in the first half = 36%. In the second half = 64%. Put together, you get 50% for the game. Against USF on Saturday, it was 54%. Make two more shots and last night would have been 53%. Big deal. Here is a comparison to the South Florida game.

1. Shots = 66 vs 69
2. Made baskets = 33 vs 37
3. Fouls by opponent = 13 vs 13 (no way..!!)
3. Free throws = 7-11 vs 13-18 (notice 7 less)
4. Threes = 7-21 vs 13-30 (notice 9 less tries)
5. Points in the 2nd half = 48 vs 49

We found the difference. Fewer fouls called last night, fewer fouls shots & 6 less made threes. There is no way UCF only fouled the Huskies 13 times last night. It was noticeable and obvious their game plan was to rough up Katie Lou & crew and get away with physical play. I'm not complaining, I'm explaining. It took UConn out of their game for a half, then they adjusted, scoring 48 points in the 2nd half 64% shooting.

One other stat is relevant. UConn gave up 44 points to UCF. That is the 2nd fewest point total all season. (East Carolina had 35) The Knights shot 32% from the field, were outrebounded by 13, had 19 turnovers and only 19 baskets. How is that a bad game? It isn't....

UCF had 19 points in the first half and 44 for the game. They made 26% of their threes and took only 3 free throws. UConn's defense showed up and played well. The offense took 20 minutes to adjust but played well after that. Bad game? No way...

Go Huskies..!!