Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 11/25/18

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I hope to watch the Purdue replay sometime soon. Maybe tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing how well they played. No surprise that they bounced back after a tough game against St. John's.

David wrote an excellent "Numbers" for this blog. I so appreciate all he does for me. Sometimes I struggle to put something together every night but David always comes through for you guys. He has such a great take on this team.

I have a crazy week coming up watching both grandsons on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and just the baby on Tuesday. My wife is just watching the baby on Thursday. My son-in-law usually does Monday and Friday but work is crazy for him so we help out.

I'm telling you this because my plan is to write the DePaul Pregame Report when they nap or are playing nicely. We shall see how that works out, so if I can't get to it you will understand...!!!

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David talked about myths and he hit most of them that were squashed by most recent stats after the Purdue win.

One myth is the possible reason that certain top HS players have not chosen UConn. I have seen more than one person say that Geno's possible retirement is a big reason. Someone added that Chris Daily will leave with him. To that I say BALDERDASH!!!

Geno is only 65 and loves what he's doing no matter what you read about his frustration with today's kids. He is also honest and would never recruit a player that he didn't play on coaching for all four years. He also has a contract that I'm sure he will honor which he signed in October 2016 that was a five-year agreement for at least $13 million. That will take him thru the 2020-21 season when he turns 67. I just can't see him leaving at that point without some kind of succession plan in place that he would share with recruits when he is ready to announce a date. I mean, the new 50 is 70. At least I hope so!!!!

The 2020 class is full of players that Geno would love to coach 4 years. I believe he will do just that.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Fresh off a tournament sweep in the Virgin Islands, UConn is 5-0 and playing really good, early season basketball. Without knowing it, the Huskies have put to bed most of the negative storylines favored by the doom & gloom crowd on certain message boards. For example, Christyn Williams doesn't shoot enough. Well, Squeaks took 9 shots, buried 5 of 6 threes, on her way to 17 points against Purdue. She has 32 shots in five games. On a team with All-Americans Katie Lou and Napheesa, exactly how many shots do want the freshman to take..??

Other myths...

1. Geno won't play the bench in close games. How do fans know what Geno is thinking, planning or teaching. He let 4 of his his starters go 40 minutes against St. Johns. Maybe he needs them to understand they can play a whole game and still play well at the end. The subs have played 231 minutes in five games. That is an average of 46 minutes total per game. That is 23% of the total minutes.

2. Napheesa's free throw shooting is way off. Last night, she was 5-6 or 83.3%. For the season, she is at 66.6%. Relax, it will get back to her normal soon enough.

3. Katie Lou's shoulder is hurt and that is impacting her shooting. Last night she went 5-8 (63%) from inside the 3 point arc and 4-5 (80%) from deep. Yeah, that shoulder must be killing her.

4. Olivia Nelson-Ododa is not playing well. Then why is she averaging 11 minutes per game as a freshman? (Crickets...)

5. UConn's team defense is weak this year. Bullsh-t..! Opponents are only scoring 48 points per game. Last year, the average was 53.4 per game. Opponents are shooting 30% from the field, including 25% from 3 pt range. Even the free throw defense has been brilliant, holding the other guys to 55% from the charity stripe. 8-)

6. Geno can't recruit any more. The two best players in high school, the last two years, are staring for Geno, and playing great basketball. Megan and Christyn love Geno and have both said they came to UConn to play and learn from Geno.

The season is young and already the nay-sayers are preaching UConn's doom. How about just enjoying the games and noticing the positives from a talented & hardworking team...

Go Huskies..!!

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UCONN LINKS

Takeaways from the UConn women's basketball team's stay at the Paradise Jam

Collier helps No. 2 UConn rout Vanderbilt 80-42

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

Purdue falls to No. 2 UConn 86-40

WCBB LINKS