Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 2/12/19

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Logan saying Cheese for the camera

Big Brother teaching Little Brother how to crawl

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It's hard for me to contain my optimism about this UConn team right now. You can really see that all the hard work in practice is really paying off, especially for the younger players. I'm going to link the post game interviews but make sure you watch the one with Christyn Williams. She is a delight and she has some great lines.

Game Highlights

Full Game Replay No Commercials

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I'm sure you all know that UConn is losing two players to graduation after this season and have only one player coming in. Geno is going to have to look elsewhere to add to a depleted roster.

Recently a new name has come into focus, and it's looking more and more that Anna Makurat will be commit to the Huskies in the spring signing period. Makurat is a 6' combo guard who plays in Poland in the Premier League. She is playing along side and against some professional talent. My good friend Cat (A UConn expert) had this to say about Anna -

I've had a chance to watch a few of Anna's games over the past month. She is currently starting and playing more minutes because of the injury to Rebecca Allen. With more time on the court her production has improved, particularly her 3-point shooting. Her most recent game was mentioned, a 16-point, 8-rebound, 4 assist game against Jordin Canada's team. On Feb 3rd, Anna made 6 three pointers in a loss to a team with Ariel Atkins and Sharnee Zoll. AG plays on Saturdays (10 or 11 EST) and the games are typically shown live on youtube. BTW, AG is a team that has been around for several years. Some alumni include former Huskies Sales, Montgomery and Swanier, as well as notables such as Catchings, Holdsclaw and Beard.

Anna plays guard/wing for AG. She can play the point but I don't think that's her strongest position. She has good size and seems to be a good 3-point shooter. As I mentioned, her accuracy is improving after a slow start. She has great court vision and is an excellent passer, sometimes with some flare. I've seen no evidence of a mid-range game, but she will take the ball to the basket. She's a really smart player, seemingly beyond her years. She's unafraid and wants the ball in big moments. Great demeanor, no pouting and is always about the next play. Her lateral foot speed is not great, but adequate for college ball. She can play.

Nice Highlight Video

This is a video from a few days ago from from her Polish team Arka Gdynia. They play the team that Jordin Canada/UCLA and Mercedes Russell/Tenn are. She is #13 in yellow.
She scores 17 points in this game, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and drew 7 fouls.

She has let Geno know that she wants to play for UConn. So at this point, unless Geno doesn't think she would be a good fit (doubtful), look for a signing over the next few weeks.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Katie Lou Samuelson scored 29 points against South Carolina and cruised past Diana Taurasi into 7th place all-time at UConn. She now stands at 2,176 points and just 3 points vaults her into 4th place. That's right, Lou is just 1 point behind Kerry Bascom for 6th place and 2 points behind both KML and Nykesha. Here is what the list looks like for KLS.

4. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (2,178) tie
5. Nykesha Sales (2,178) tie
6. Kerry Bascom (2,177)

7. Katie Lou (2,176)

Speaking of all-time lists, Napheesa, who is currently 7th in rebounding, is just 1 rebound behind Jamelle Elliott. Two rebounds puts her in 6th place chasing Stef Dolson and Stewie for 5th and 4th place. Here is the current rebound leader board.

4. Breanna Stewart (1,179)
5. Stefanie Dolson (1,101)
6. Jamelle Elliott (1,054)
7. Napheesa Collier (1,053)

Congrats to Lou and Pheesa..!!