Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy''s Doghouse 3/2518

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I'm going to keep this here to remind you all to vote for UConn players!!!!!

Lou, Gabby - Women's Citizen Naismith Trophy (vote March 19-30)

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I put together a new format to finish up the Tournament. Hope you like it.

And here is my UConn/South Carolina Pregame Report.

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Congrats to UConn recruit Christyn Williams who had a clean sweep of the post season awards.

Williams won the Gatorade national award which follows the Morgan Wootten player of the year award, which followed a state championship, which followed the Naismith player of the year award, which followed the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's high school player of the year award. All of that came after she was named a McDonald's All American, which came after she signed with Connecticut.

I can't wait to see her play for UConn. She is going to be something special.

South Carolina 79 Buffalo 63

South Carolina's size was just too much for Buffalo. Herbert-Harrigan had to huge blocks to stop Buffalo from closing the gap to under 5 and the Gamecocks pulled away behind A'ja Wilson and Alexa Jennings. They had 20 points each and 13 and 9 rebounds each. Dillard was terrific for Buffalo scoring 29 points and adding 6 assists and 6 steals. The backcourt for SC was a little off. They had 10 turnovers between them and Wilson added 8 turnovers of her own. They had a total of 26 turnovers. It's hard to win a game with that many but Buffalo had no answer for the SC bigs.

Staley: 'Chemistry and cohesion not there' ESPN Video

South Carolina women advance to Elite 8 with 79-63 win over Buffalo ABC News

No. 11 seed Buffalo Falls To Defending National Champion South Carolina 79-63

South Carolina keeps Buffalo at bay, 79-63, to advance to Elite 8 Garnet and Black

South Carolina blasts Buffalo, advances to Elite Eight Post and Courier

UConn 72 Duke 59

UConn had control of this game from the beginning but their off offensive night was enough to keep the Huskies from pulling away like they usually do. I had a 30 point win, but I underestimated Duke's defensive ability. They were 8th in the country on scoring defense. I should have made more of that when predicting. Duke scored the last 6 points of the game for the final margin. Lexi Brown was as I expected in this game. She was all over the court creating 7 steals. Leaona Odom was terrific for Duke and she will be back next year. A star in the making. She had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

UConn did not shoot well, only 45% from the field but they did hit 8-21 threes. The 15 offensive rebounds were huge. The Huskies were able to hold the Blue Devils to 38% shooting and 31% on threes. This was clearly not UConn's "A" game. More like a B-.

Williams guides Huskies into Elite Eight Carl Adamec

UConn routs Duke 72-59, advances to Albany Region final SNY

UConn's Kia Nurse and Gabby Williams on Defense Courant

UConn Women Roll On, Defeat Duke, 72-59, To Reach Elite Eight Courant

UConn women oust Duke from NCAA tournament Charlotte Observer

UConn rolls by Duke to set up regional final showdown against South Carolina ESPN

UConn tops Duke 72-59, advances to Albany Region final ABC News

Collier paces top-seeded UConn in win over Duke Guinnett Daily Post
UConn rolls past Duke to move win away from record 11th straight Final Four Register
UConn’s Nurse up to the challenge in defending fellow WNBA prospect Lexie Brown Register
Jeff Jacobs: Duke plays defense but coach just gets defensive Register
UConn tops Duke to reach Albany Regional final Albany Times Union
Ticket sales have been brisk for Albany Regional Albany Times Union
UConn Women Beat Duke With the Help of a Former Blue Devil NY Times

Notre Dame 90 Texas A&M 84

This was the most fun game of the day. Some wonderful individual performances but Notre Dame just had too much firepower for Texas A&M. While Howard and Carter were outstanding for the Aggies with 26 and 31 points each, Notre Dame had 4 players contributing. The Irish were led by Mabrey who had 7 three pointers leading to 25 points and she added 9 points. Not bad for a player that has always been a 2 guard. Ogunbowale was the high scorer with 27 points. Jackie Young had 15 points and 9 rebounds along with 5 assist and Shepard made several big post plays in scoring 13 points and adding 10 rebounds. Texas A&M was only 11-20 on free throws and making a few more might have made a difference. If Notre Dame has found their outside shot (they were 10-18) it's going to be an amazing game against Oregon.

Notre Dame back in Elite 8 after beating Texas A&M 90-84 ABC News

Notre Dame erases deficit, ousts Texas A&M in Spokane Regional CHRON

Notre Dame, Texas A&M clash again, this time in Sweet 16 Fox Sports

Notre Dame holds off A&M for 90-84 victory The Eagle

Oregon 83 Central Michigan 69

Like Buffalo, Central Michigan was shown how tough it is for a mid-major to beat the better Div I teams in the later rounds. They gave it a good go, they played their heart out, but the Dukes are just too good. And Oregon is a true National Title contender. They have a superstar in the mold of Diana Taurasi in Ionescu who was one rebound short of another triple double with 16 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. But she is not the only star on this team. Their center Hebard had 23 points, 14 rebounds and 6 big blocks. A great offensive team and a decent defensive team, they have a good shot at Notre Dame.

Hebard leads Oregon women to 83-69 win over Central Michigan AP

Oregon shows Final Four DNA in Sweet 16 blowout 247 Sports

NCAA women: Oregon 83, Central Michigan 69 Detroit News

1 Louisville vs 6 Oregon State

Sunday 12:00 ESPN

This is a tough game to pick. Louisville is a terrific team that has been playing well, but Oregon State seems to have found something in the tournament, certainly another gear. Durr is a great player that is playing like it in the tournament. I have to go with the Cardinals. 5+ points.

Louisville to face Oregon State for trip to Final Four 247 Sports

In unfamiliar role, Louisville tries to fend off the tried-and-true offense of Oregon State ESPN

No. 3 Louisville Faces No. 13 Oregon State in Elite 8 on Sunday Louisville Athletics

Oregon State, Louisville seek growth in NCAA regional final NY Daily News

Upset-minded Oregon State takes aim at No. 1 seed Louisville Yahoo Sports

Five things to know about Louisville's Elite Eight opponent: Oregon State Courier Journal

Preview: Oregon State WBB Versus Louisville in Elite Eight Building the Dam

1 Mississippi State 3 UCLA

Sunday 7:30 ESPN

It's really hard to go against Mississippi State. They are a tough team with a great coach. They just have something special with their lineup. UCLA is a good team that played a great game to get to this point. Jordan Canada is a fantastic point guard and Billings is a very good center. If she can contain the 6'7" center for Mississippi State Tierra McGowan the Bruins have a shot. This game could be a close one, but I like MSU by 7+ points.

Bulldogs relish latest chance in Elite Eight The Commercial Dispatch

Mississippi State, UCLA both looking for an NCAA breakthrough Wichita Advocate
First-rate in-state senior stars are cornerstones in UCLA vs. MSU Elite Eight clash ESPN
UCLA to face Mississippi State for spot in Final Four NY Daily News
UCLA breaks through, faces Mississippi State Yahoo Sports
No. 3 UCLA Faces No. 1 Mississippi State in Elite Eight UCLA Team Site

1 UConn 2 South Carolina

Monday 7:00 ESPN

Showdown solidified: It's UConn vs. South Carolina in Elite Eight ESPN

South Carolina, UConn to meet in Albany Region final Columbia Daily Tribune

UConn to face South Carolina in Albany Region final News OK

UConn, South Carolina to meet in Albany Regional final Daily Gazette

1 Notre Dame 2 Oregon

Monday 9:00 ESPN

Notre Dame keeps cool, Oregon stays hot to set up Elite Eight meeting ESPN

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Here is the NISE update from the Duke game. Not the normal efficient UConn shooting night. The final margin of victory was 72-59, but the game never really seemed that close.

UConn NISE = 72 pts - 78 scoring opportunities = -6

Napheesa = 16 pts - 21 scoring chances = -5
Katie Lou = 15 pts - 14 chances = +1
Gabby = 15 pts - 12 chances = +3
Kia = 10 pts - 9 shots = +1

Duke NISE = 59 points - 70 scoring opportunities = -11

Lexie Brown = 10 pts - 11 chances = -1
Greenwell = 6 pts - 6 shots = 0
Odom = 22 pts - 23 chances = -1

From a NISE viewpoint, that was one ugly game. But the only objective is to win & advance.

Go Huskies..!!

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