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Usually I would post a picture or two of a grandchild, but the UConn/Texas game deserves top billing.
The whiners and complainers, the worriers and the agonizers can have their day and make their comments. Blah Blah Blah. But from my perspective, this kind of game is what basketball is all about. Sure, I love the blowouts where it's easy for UConn to run their superior offense again inferior defenses. However, this is the kind of game where you find out what the team you root for is made of. And for sure, we found out. Lots of guts and gumption.
Texas, right from the get go, was playing inspired ball. I believe they hit 4 of their first 7 three pointers. They outhustled UConn for 50/50 balls, they crashed the offensive board and fed off of the spectacular record breaking crowd of over 11,000 rabid fans. They are a really big and athletic team. I watched them against Tennessee and if they played 80% as well as they did in this game when they played the Lady Vols and they win that game. Texas just played some inspired ball. Kudos to them.
But UConn battled back several times as they were down 10 points a few times in the first quarter. As usual ended both quarters with big runs. I believe that the previous two games, where they won easily but had to deal with physical play, prepared them for this physical Texas team.
Both teams missed a ton of opportunities but it seemed to me that UConn missed more shots they usually made. A lot of that has to do with the tough Texas defense. I don't want to take anything away from the Longhorns. They played a great game.
At the end, UConn just made more plays than Texas did. Texas, after starting 4-7 on threes, only hit 1 of their last 14. If they didn't have 14 more shots than UConn, the game is not close. As my friend Dan predicted as we watched the game, this could go down to free throws. Texas went 1-4 in the last 2 minutes and the Huskies were 15-17 for the game. Dangerfield iced the game with two free throws to give UConn the final four point margin. After she made the two free throws, I turned to my friend Dan and reminded him of the game last year where Crystal had a chance to ice a game and missed her free throw. Geno recalled that same game in his post game interview. Actually, there were two games that she missed key free throws. The first game against Florida State and then later in the year against Maryland. You could see in the look on her face that she was going to make these two shots.
Geno was clear that he was going to focus on the bench over the next few games against Tulsa, Temple, Memphis and Tulane. He certainly showed his concern that the players could wear down. I'm happy to hear him say that. But it's up to the players to show they can contribute in the time that it looks like Geno is willing to give them. I hope they rise to the challenge.
I'll put together a final Post Game report with videos, stats, quotes and player evaluations, but what I posted here sums it up for me. A great game and a great win!!!
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I'm just too exhausted from the stress of the tight game to write much more. I can barely look for links for you...but I muddled through.
You're welcome!
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I guess I'm not too tired to post pictures of Logan!!!!
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By David in Naples!!!!!
Tonight’s win over Texas was all about fouls & foul shots. Specifically, fouls called, fouls not called, free throws made & missed.
1. Texas went 8-14 from the charity stripe and left 6 free points out of their score. They lost by 4 points.
2. Collier fouled out w/ 7 points and 5 rebounds on some very strange fouls.
3. UConn went 15-15 from the foul line, until Katie Lou missed two w/ under a minute to go.
4. Texas mugged Samuelson off the ball and not one foul was called on her defender all night.
5. Katie Lou had 0 personal fouls. The rest of the Huskies had 17 fouls.
6. The game was iced by Crystal’s two perfect free throws. Last season Crystal couldn’t buy a free throw make.
7. Kia (6-6), Z (4-4), Pheesa (2-2), Gabby (1-1) all joined Dangerfield w/ 100% at the charity stripe.
UConn went 17-19 at the line, 89.5%.... tonight, that was the difference.
Go Huskies..!!
1. Texas went 8-14 from the charity stripe and left 6 free points out of their score. They lost by 4 points.
2. Collier fouled out w/ 7 points and 5 rebounds on some very strange fouls.
3. UConn went 15-15 from the foul line, until Katie Lou missed two w/ under a minute to go.
4. Texas mugged Samuelson off the ball and not one foul was called on her defender all night.
5. Katie Lou had 0 personal fouls. The rest of the Huskies had 17 fouls.
6. The game was iced by Crystal’s two perfect free throws. Last season Crystal couldn’t buy a free throw make.
7. Kia (6-6), Z (4-4), Pheesa (2-2), Gabby (1-1) all joined Dangerfield w/ 100% at the charity stripe.
UConn went 17-19 at the line, 89.5%.... tonight, that was the difference.
Go Huskies..!!
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UCONN LINKS
Final: No. 1 UConn Women’s Basketball Battles Past No. 9 Texas, 75-71 SB Nation
Top-ranked UConn survives upset scare from No. 9 Texas 75-71 Fox Sports
UConn Outlasts Texas In Wild Game Courant
Top-Ranked UConn survives upset scare from No. 9 Texas 75-71 UConn Team Site
No. 1 UConn survives to beat No. 9 Texas, 75-71 Carl Adamec
No.9 Texas Falls Late to No.1 UCONN In Front Of Record-Setting Crowd Texas Team Site
UConn women pass road test, top No. 7 Texas Jim Fuller
Top-ranked UConn survives upset scare from No. 9 Texas 75-71 Fox Sports
UConn Outlasts Texas In Wild Game Courant
Top-Ranked UConn survives upset scare from No. 9 Texas 75-71 UConn Team Site
No. 1 UConn survives to beat No. 9 Texas, 75-71 Carl Adamec
No.9 Texas Falls Late to No.1 UCONN In Front Of Record-Setting Crowd Texas Team Site
UConn women pass road test, top No. 7 Texas Jim Fuller
WCBB Top 25 Results
Upsets in RED
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Thanks for the post game report, doggy,
ReplyDeleteSamuelson is as tough as they come. She has proven it over and over. She took an elbow to the eye with no call, official is right there. She played the rest of the game with 1/2 an eye, definitely affected the free throws at the end.
ReplyDeleteJust watched the game again.Uconn gave up too many offensive rebounds, second chance points and turnovers. They played tentatively most of the game and not with their usual confidence. Most surprised with Williams and Collier play being upper classmen
ReplyDelete