Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 1/14/18

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I'm not going to post a Post Game Report for the UConn/Houston team. Only so many hours in the day and I want to work on the UConn/Texas Pre Game Report. So, here is my take on the game.

UConn killed them. The End.

Seriously, UConn just dismantled a decent Houston team winning 95-35. The Cougars tried to play physical with the Huskies just like Central Florida did with some success. I guess UConn learned something from that game. It didn't work.

UConn was pretty physical right back and it created the best defensive effort of the season.

Sure, Azura Stevens had another double-double off the bench with 19 points and 10 rebounds. And Katie Lou Samuelson and Kia Nurse had 17 points each. And they scored 95 points. But this game was all about the defense.

UConn held Houston to 35 points on 20% shooting. The Cougars were only 4-26 on threes. UConn forced 28 turnovers and outrebounded Houston 48-39. Collier had 4 blocks including an early one on the three point attempt and Stevens had 3 blocks and countless intimidation plays. And last, UConn had 21 steals, a season high. There were several other tipped passes that didn't turn into a steal. UConn was just all over the passing lanes.

I'll post the highlight video and any interview videos as well if they come out. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this game. It's the stuff champions are made of.

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Texas, UConn's next opponent, played against unranked Kansas and it was not exactly a game that a team ranked in the top ten should play. They were down at the half before using a big run in the 3rd quarter to put it out of reach.

Here is my UConn/Texas Pre Game Report.

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Three upsets in the top 25 and all of them are in the Big 12. Looks to me like that conference has a bunch of teams that can win or lose on any night. Well, maybe except Baylor....again. They are the cream of the conference.

No. 15 West Virginia lost to TCU 76-74 in overtime. TCU had just come off a big win against No. 8 Texas in their last out. Beating two top 25 teams in two game is quite the accomplishment. Purdue beat No. 18 Iowa 76-70 and No. 20 Oklahoma State lost to Kansas State.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

There are only 200 minutes in a basketball game to be divided among 5 players. In other words, the game is 40 minutes long and you have 5 players on the court at any one time. (40 x 5 = 200) Every minute the coach plays a sub is one less minute a starter plays. If you wonder why Geno plays his subs only 4 minutes in 40+ point blowout, you don't understand what goal Geno is coaching toward.

Everything Geno does from August to March is designed toward one goal. That goal is to win two games at the Final Four. He needs the best five players to be in condition to run 40 minutes, without subs if necessary, and be so good at passing, shooting and defending that no other team can possibly win. If one or two players can come off the bench and play at the same level, so much the better.

Games are to get the starters ready for the Final Four, not "develop" the bench. Practice is for development. Fans who don't understand this are frustrated with Geno. Fans who see his goal and method are happy to watch the maestro at work. Last year's overtime semi-final game is illustrative. Katie Lou played 45 minutes, Gabby played 44, Saniya was in for 42, Pheesa logged 36 and Kia 35. In overtime, the team shot 1-7, including 0-2 from three range. They also missed 2 of 4 free throws. When you lose by 2 in overtime, all that matters.

It wasn't just conditioning. UConn scored 13 points in the 1st period against MSU. They were down 9 points. In the 4th period, they scored 12 points. The game went to overtime. Everything Geno does this year from a coaching point of view, is to see that does not happen again. He will be unhappy with 95% effort, because he wants 100%. Every play. Subs will sit until the starters are perfect, regardless of the score. Since that never happens, subs will come in when Geno finally relents.

That is Geno's formula. That is why he is has won 11 National Championships.

Go Huskies..!!

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