Monday, April 8, 2019

Doggy's Doghouse 4/8/19













                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
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Yes, they are still cute!!!!!

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 Image result for deja vu all over again


Remember last week when UConn got a dynamic 5'10" point guard that makes the players around them better?

Well, that was Paige Bueckers.  Say hello to Croation Nika Muhl. I have a couple of links in the UConn section about her. I'll add more links as they come in.

She is in the class of 2020 and a wonderful addition to the UConn program! 

UConn women’s basketball lands commitment from Croatian point guard

 Here is a nice interview with her. She will fit right in!

Here are a few highlight videos!!!







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Interest is out there for UB women's basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)

Buffalo coach Legette-Jack is considering other jobs, and that can't be a big surprise. I was really impressed with how well her team is coached, how hard they play and how much the seemed to love and respect her. And Geno couldn't say enough nice things about her. Good luck to Coach Legette-Jack where ever her future is.  

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I'm really sad for Lauren Cox, star forward for Baylor. She injured her knee in the second half of the game against Notre Dame and while no announcement has been made as of yet, it looked like the dreaded ACL injury. This is a HUGE impart to Baylor in 2019-2020. Brianna Turner had what looks like the same injury in the tournament two years ago and had to sit out all of last season. I would expect same for Cox if it is the ACL. Losing both the 6-4 Cox and 6-7 Brown along with Final Four MOP Jackson is a damaging to next years team in a big way. They will still be very good, but I think they will struggle to get to the final four again without her. Baylor does have some talented freshmen that will be sophomores next season, so maybe they will surprise me. 

On the opposite side of the spectrum, winner of multiple player of the year awards, Sabrina Ionescu is coming back for her final year at Final Four participant Oregon. They will be even better next year as they bring back everyone but terrific guard Cazorla. They add 6'4" forward Nyara Sabally, sister of starter Satou and add highly ranked guard Jordyn Oliver (No. 11) to the roster. 

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Image result for karma

Did you hear? Notre Dame lost to Baylor. Really.

Just a couple of thoughts about that game.

Notre Dame lost. That always makes me happy. There is just something about that program and their surly coach that rubs me the wrong way. And to have Ogunbowale miss the decisive free throw was just icing on the cake. Remember this??


Yeah, I hold a grudge. Like Candace Parker, I will probably root against the WNBA team that selects her just like I root against Los Angeles. 

Now I know that Baylor lost their lead of 12 points after Cox was injured but they lost 5 points off their biggest lead before that happened. I just want to point out that Notre Dame is really good at coming back in the second half. They did that against Stanford and Texas A&M and other games during the regular season. So while I'm still upset about losing a 9 point lead in the fourth quarter, give credit to the Irish for making that happen.

Also, I just read that Jackie Young has declared for the WNBA draft, leaving Notre Dame without a returning starter. Good luck to Ms. Young, one of the few ND players I actually liked. I'm sure McGraw is even more upset with her than she was when Jewel Loyd left as this leaves the team really short handed. It could get ugly for Notre Dame next season. I'm heartbroken.     
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By David in Naples!!!!!

Part I


UConn fans are sad. Not so much from the loss to Notre Dame, but at the realization that two of the finest players ever to wear the Huskies’ uniform are graduating. We have watched two true legends. Consider:

Napheesa and Lou will finish with 2,401 and 2,346 points. That places them at #3 and #5 all-time in scoring. Lou’s point total was just 4 points shy of tying Tina Charles in 4th place.

Collier also finished 4th in rebounding with 1,219 boards. That was 40 ahead of Stewie and 49 short of Rebecca Lobo. Truly amazing..!!

Pheesa also reached 7th place on the all-time blocked shots list. Her total of 251 was just 3 below Stef Dolson. 

Congrats to Napheesa and Katie Lou for a great career..!! 

Go Huskies..!!


I made myself watch the ND vs Baylor Championship game. I admit I just didn't want to see ND win. Here are some random thoughts:

1. ND's bench scored 2 points in the Final and 0 points against UConn. Apparently, all this talk of what a problem a weak bench can be is irrelevant. 
2. Baylor went 2-7 from three-point range and 2-7 from the free throw line. Weird...
3. ND took 72 shots and made 39%. Baylor took 73 shots and made 54%. Yet the score was only 1 point apart. (See free throws)
4. Baylor was out rebounded 43-38. 
5. Arike had just 1 assist, but took 27 shots. Try passing the ball...
6. In the two Final Four games, ND took 38 free throws. Opponents took 15. (puke)
7. Baylor has won the NC in 2005, 2012 and 2019. Every 7 years...

ND remains at 999 victories as a program. Isn't that just wonderful... 8-)  Muffet and the Irish won the NC in 2001. Since then, she is 1-5 in Championship games. Geno is 9-0 since 2001. :D

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UConn Links

UConn Women's Basketball: 2020 PG Nika Muhl Commits to Huskies

UConn women's takeaways: Walker and Williams will have to step up


WCBB Links

UB confirms basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack considering other jobs


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I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

doggydaddy.UConn@gmail.com
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Friday, April 5, 2019

Doggy's Doghouse 4/5/19












                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
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 Image result for tears


It was there....and then it was gone. Certainly another heartbreaking loss for UConn, the third in three years. I'm sure that the two seniors Katie Lou and Napheesa will feel the pain of this one for a long time.

I did make the mistake of reading some of the message boards. Wow. Some fans are so mean! Kicking a proverbial "dog" while he is down, I read some calling the team "chokers". I mean really....

Sigh....

I just wish people would have some perspective about the team. It was a wonderful season played by a wonderful team. Period. And we get to start all over again with summer practice. And there certainly will be roster updates as Geno is looking for a few players to give some productive minutes and fill out the roster. He will pull a few rabbits out of his hat. 

I've already read how the Final Four streak is in jeopardy. Can we see who Geno adds? And more perspective. As I posted yesterday,  Notre Dame will struggle next year. Louisville loses Durr and Carter. Mississippi State loses 4 starters in McGowan, Danberry, Holmes and Howard. Oregon loses all world Sabrina Ionescu. Is anyone worried about Maryland? I'm sure other teams will improve. South Carolina and UCLA may break through next season. I still like who we have plus more!  

 And finally. Does it matter? Do we only root for winning? Don't we root for the team and the players on the team that we love to appreciate no matter the outcome?       

I'm going to post links to both games. Maybe David will have some numbers later. I'm sure he is as tired as I am. Late game, lousy outcome.

For me, I'll probably take some time off before closing the blog down until the fall. I want to thank this wonderful group of young women for allowing us to watch their journey all season. It's been a lot of fun to write about. And I want to thank the several hundred UConn fans that read and hopefully enjoy my blog. 

Later

DD

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By David in Naples!!!!!


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Thursday, April 4, 2019

Doggy's Doghouse 4/4/19












                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
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Image result for condo for rent sign

Ok, a little personal plea!!! My daughter is renting out her condo in New Britain. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath townhouse. 2 car attached garage and access to a community pool! It's a really nice place.

If you know anyone looking for a place I've provided the link on Zillow.  

177A Brittany Farms Road

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Here we go! Last blog before the UConn/Notre Dame game. Plenty of links and of course David's wonderful numbers. I so appreciate all he does for my blog.

Not much more to say about the game that hasn't been said already. You kinda knew that UConn and Notre Dame were going to meet again in the tournament from the beginning of the season. And to meet in the semi-finals after doing the same last season is just...well..,fate?

I feel for all you UConn fans, me included, for having to stay up so late Friday night. There is a good chance that most of the UConn fans will fall asleep, wake up at 2:00 AM with a start and then get on the computer to see who won!

The Semi Final losses the past two seasons had a real different feel to them for me. Losing three terrific players in Nurse, Williams and Stevens had me thinking that this years team would really struggle to get to the final four. Yeah, I predicted a win in every game but hey, that's what I do! But they did play inconsistently this year and at times, some pretty lousy basketball. Only Nelson-Ododa played well enough off the bench to get any minutes in the regular rotation so the team was foul trouble or an injury away from real issues.

But then Katie Lou went down with her bad back and it was time to see what the rest of the team was made of. Well, we sure found out that this team was a lot tougher than we thought. And after a stumble in the Buffalo game late and the tough game against UCLA with Katie Lou looking like she was in a straight jacket with her lack of mobility, Louisville was going to be a true test.

Well, that was a test they passed with flying colors. A great team effort and an incredible bounce back game for Katie Lou, who somehow found all the stuff she had been missing since getting injured.

So now it's on to Notre Dame and I'm unusually relaxed. Maybe it's watching and reading Geno the past few days. He is so loose. Smiling and confident. He is really liking his team and that always portends good things for UConn. The players seem loose too. Geno says they are playing to win and not to not lose. That is great!

I'm really looking forward to see how this team does against a really talented and well coached Notre Dame team. Win or Lose, I'm going to feel really good about the season.

GO HUSKIES!!!!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Part I

During the first 35 games of the UConn season, Megan Walker averaged 6 rebounds per game. Her 210 rebounds were #2 on the team to Napheesa's 375 total boards. In the last two games against UCLA and L'Ville, Walker grabbed 11, then 12 rebounds. Those 23 rebounds average out to 11.5 per game. Someone stepped up their game..!! ;)

Over the first 35 games of  the season, Megan made 43 of 112 three-point shots or 38.4%. For the games against UCLA and Louisville, she sank 5 of 8 or 62.5%. Hmmmm....I see a pattern.

For the season, Megan has scored 421 points or 12.0 per game. She leads the Huskies with 40% success on her three attempts. Her 233 rebounds are 2nd on the team behind Pheesa. When healthy, she started all 35 games she played in and averaged 31.3 minutes per game. She and Christyn have provided a steady 4th and 5th option for the Huskies' offensive. Defensively, her 180 defensive rebounds has nearly replaced Gabby's 215 from last season. 

The best is yet to come for Walker..!!
Part II

Four Fun Facts:

Did you know there is a UConn player who shot 55% from three-point range? Yes, Molly Bent went 11-20 of 55% over the season. Best average on the team by 15%...

Did you know Olivia Nelson-Ododa scored 56 baskets, blocked 53 shots, shot 52% from the field, made 50 free throws and played 518 minutes...?

Olivia also played in all 37 games and averaged 14 minutes of action per game.

The 3rd best free throw shooter on the Huskies is Mikayla Coombs at 75% (9-12).

Tampa Bay Final Four
National Semi-Final
Friday, April 5th

1 seed Baylor vs 2 seed Oregon 7:00 PM ESPN2

1 seed Notre Dame vs 2 seed UConn 9:30 PM ESPN2

NCAA Links
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