Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 11/24/18

*********************************************************************************

I decided to post this blog at half time of the UConn game in case I fall asleep again!!!

The Huskies, behind their two seniors took a big 47-18 lead at the half against Purdue. I didn't get a chance to post my thoughts on this game, but I was pretty sure it wouldn't be close. UConn rarely follows up one stinker with another. Collier and Samuelson both had 15 at the half and Geno went to his bench early playing 8 players. UConn's free throw defense was perfect as Purdue went 0-4 from the line.

The second half was all UConn as well. Samuelson and Collier played some in the third quarter but it was a great shooting effort by the freshman Williams that continued UConn's dominance in this game. She was 5-6 on threes in scoring 17 points. And the much maligned bench contributed 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.

Overall, UConn shot 57% from the field, 62% on threes and 24 assists on 34 baskets. They also outrebounded Purdue 44-34. Just an excellent game from top to bottom.

Up next is DePaul on Wednesday in Hartford.

*********************************************************************************

The top 14 and 20 of the top 25 were in action Saturday night. I'll fill you in on some of the highlights!!! Look for updates on the late games later on.

At the half, Oregon State is leading 50-41. The Beavers were led by Maryland transfer Destiny Slocum who had 14 points. Notre Dame has fallen behind a few times this season but has always come back strong to win. We will see if that happens again. Mabrey is back and Shepard as well after missing one game. It's the first time the Irish is playing with a full starting team.

As I figured, Notre Dame came back and won this game 91-81, outscoring the Oregon State 50-31 in the second half, including 23-11 in the fourth quarter. And getting back to my "bench" theme, Notre Dame got all of their scoring from their starting five. They only played two players off the bench and they were scoreless with 2 rebounds and 3 assists between them.

In other games, there were three OT games but only one was expected.

In a late game that I'm just adding to this blog, Drake defeated No. 13 South Carolina 90-85 in overtime behind Sara Rhine's 25 points, 13 of those in the fourth quarter and OT. The Gamecocks were led by Tennessee transfer T'ea Cooper with 31 points. Cooper has stepped in to the South Carolina starting lineup replacing A'ja Wilson so the Gamecocks have gone small ball with forward Herbert-Harrison going to the bench. It's not working. They are now 3-3 after losing two in a row and 3 of 4. Will these two losses push them out of the top 25 along with fellow SEC team Missouri? It should but I would bet the voters give Staley respect and keep them in the low 20's. This is just not a very good team.

Two evenly matched teams in No. 14 Syracuse and No. 16 DePaul met in the Cancun Challenge and had a great game. Tiana Mangakahia finished the game with a reverse layup at the buzzer to give Syracuse the 83-81 win. Some interesting stats in this one. There was a combines 77 three pointers hoisted in the 45 minutes. Crazy. Sadly, only 20 of them were made. DePaul, UConn's opponent next week took 47 of them. 10 of the 11 players that had minutes for DePaul took a three pointer. I think Coach Bruno took a few himself.

The unexpected OT game was No. 11 Tennessee against UAB. The Lady Vols came back from 10 down in the fourth quarter to tie the game before pulling it out in OT 73-69. I always say a win is a win and I do believe that. Tennessee just looks like the same team as last season only not as good. They went to OT with Marquette early in the season last year in a similar type game as this one. The Lady Vols are still a really poor shooting team. They were 6-18 on threes and only 9-22 from the free throw line. These are two problems that Coach Warlick said needed to improve this year. Good luck with that! They dominated the boards and that is still their method for winning games. Rebounding and defense. I have to give credit to UAB. They are a scrappy team and did beat Oklahoma this season.

*********************************************************************************

By David in Naples!!!!!

The victory over St. John's on Friday night was exactly what UConn needed at this point in the season. Consider:

1. The Huskies were down 51-47 in the 4th period and won by 10 points. No panic..!

2. Four UConn players (Katie Lou, Crystal, Christyn and Pheesa) were in for the whole game. Later in the season, they will not have to wonder if they can play 40 minutes. They already did..!!

3. In the last 7 minutes of the game, UConn outscored St. Johns 15-4 on baskets by KLS, Collier, Walker and Williams.

4. UConn shot 58% in the 4th period, when they were supposed to be tired. St. Johns shot 28%.

5. Freshman Christyn Williams played the whole game, hit a clutch 3 in the 4th period, grabbed 4 rebounds and had an assist and a steal.

6. Napheesa had 6 assists with the offense running through her in the high post. And, she had 9 rebounds and 17 points. Complete game.

7. The Huskies took 22 foul shots. St. John's took 9. In close games, fouling the shooter will lose you the game. They played good defense without fouling the shooter.

Don't kid your self, St. John's is a good team and played up for UConn. This was a gutsy, come from behind victory. Just what Geno ordered early in the season. Great win..!

*********************************************************************************

UCONN LINKS

UConn women roll past Purdue 86-40 in Paradise Jam finale

UConn women balanced work, fun in St. Thomas

No. 2 Connecticut women's basketball seemingly can't miss in rout of Purdue

UConn Women’s Basketball Rebounds to Dominate Purdue, 86-40

WCBB LINKS