Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 2/12/18

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Days until Florida!!!!

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Here is my UConn/Louisville Pre Game Report

And my UConn/Wichita State Post Game Report

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It wasn't bad enough that Wichita State lost to UConn by 81 points, but on the way to home after flying back to Kansas their bus got in an accident in the icy conditions. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but talk about insult to injury!

http://ksn.com/2018/02/10/wsu-womens-basketball-team-in-accident/

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Asia Durr has had some incredible games this season and UConn has to hope that she isn't in that zone where no matter how good a defense you play on her, she finds her shot and hits most of them. She did that in scoring 47 points against Ohio State but after watching the Buckeyes lose to South Florida Sunday and seeing Laksa put 41 on them, maybe it was more Ohio State's lack of defense than the greatness of the player? Durr going crazy is really the only chance for Louisville to compete and even win against UConn. They don't have enough other offensive weapons to put enough points up on UConn. I'm sure Geno knows that and will have Nurse and Williams, his two best defenders, take turns trying to hold Durr down to being a mere mortal.

No. 7 South Carolina handled Florida Sunday, winning 64-57. It was a game that was much closer than you would expect. Florida is not a very good team. SC found out Sunday that Grad Senior Lindsey Spann will miss the rest of the season with the knee injury that she has been battling all season. This is not a good situation for the South Carolina team. They will really miss her three point shooting ability and the length she gives to the rotation. As if to show that off, Staley rested A'ja Wilson to start the second quarter and Florida went on a 15-0 run. Crazy. Once Wilson reentered the game, the Gamecocks were able to come back and retake the lead for the rest of the game. But a 7 point win over Florida at home? Weak performance. One game with foul trouble for Wilson in the tournament and SC would be done.

Three upsets in the top 25. In the Big 10 and state rivalry game, unranked Michigan State be No. 21 Michigan 66-61. Michigan has been up and down all season. They should stay in the top 25 with a few teams below them losing as well.

No. 14 Texas A&M lost to unranked LSU 80-78 in a terrific game. LSU revenges a loss to the Aggies in January. Since that loss LSU has now beaten three top 25 teams in the last five game, Tennessee, Georgia and now A&M. Will this move the Tigers into the top 25? It's possible!

In the last upset, AAC partner South Florida dismantled No. 12 Ohio State 84-65 behind 41 points from Kitija Laksa. Yes, the same Laksa that UConn held to ZERO points when they played. She was 15-27 from the field and 8-13 on threes. Quite the game for the shartshooter. This was a big game for South Florida's NCAA seeding.

No. 12 Tennessee was able to beat No. Georgia 62-46 behind Mercedes Russell, who had 13 points and 15 rebounds. So, how does a team that scores only 62 points, shoots 39% from the field, 33% on threes, 60% (18-30) on free throws and.......get this.....27 turnovers win? Well, their opponents shoot 29% from the field, 8% on threes and 20 turnovers. I watched some of this game and had to turn away. It was hurting my eyes. In fact? They get an UGGY Award!!!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Three of UConn's Core Four have started all 24 games this season. They are Kia, Gabby and Napheesa. The 4th member, Katie Lou, has started 19 games. Joining the Core Four and turning it into the Fabulous Five is Crystal with 22 starts. Azura rounds out the list of players who have started with 7 starts, but has playing time in all 24 games. Together, these six players have scored 1,913 points this season. That is 87.5% of the Huskies total.

There is only a difference of 44 points between the leading scorer, Pheesa (378), and the 4th place player, KLS (334). Even more amazing is the grouping when you consider the career scoring efforts of these four. Consider:

1. Kia Nurse     1,538points
2. Katie Lou     1,489 points
3. Gabby         1,434 points 4. Napheesa     1,390 points

That is a Core Four with 5,851 career points, scored from all over the court. On UConn's all-time scoring list, they are #21 (Kia), #25 (Lou), #27 (Gabby) and #31 (Napheesa). Pretty impressive..!!

Go Huskies..!!

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