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Another full schedule Saturday for so many top 25 teams, and there were a few upsets so far.
The big one, and I do mean BIG ONE was No. 8 Louisville taking down No. 1 Oregon 72-62 in a game that was dominated by the Louisville defense. I would bet you don't see another shooting night for the Ducks for the rest of the season.
The Cards held Oregon to 34.2% shooting and the Ducks couldn't find the range from deep shooting 6-35 from long range. It's clear that with 35 attempts, Oregon had a game plan. It didn't work. They do average 30+ three point attempts per game so it was nothing unusual, other than they shot so poorly.
Louisville also did a great job holding Oregon's AA center Ruth Ebard to only 10 points. Individually, Louisville was just too quick and strong getting out to the shooters for force that low percentage. Ionescu was 1-9 on threes, Sabally was 2-11. Louisville Senior Kylee Shook was just outstanding in this game on both ends of the floor. She scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds along with two blocks. She even guarded Ionescu at times.
There was so much talk about the great Oregon Ducks, some fans comparing them to great Uconn teams of the past. Some said it was Oregon at the top and everyone else below them. But when a team relies on the three point shot so much, there will be games they don't fall and you have to find other ways to score enough points. Great teams do that.
The second biggest upset was No. 5 South Carolina taking down No. 2 Baylor, 74-59. It was a great game for the Gamecocks. They were just better in the clutch than the Bears and continued to score while Baylor struggled from the field and with handling the ball.
I think everyone needs to remember that Baylor is without Lauren Cox, a pre-season AA and a fantastic player. She is a difference maker. I've love to see these teams meet again in the NCAA tournament with everyone healthy.
The another upset Notre Dame beat No. 21 South Florida 67-51. The game was actually close until the Irish pulled away in the third quarter. South Florida took 41 threes in this game, something that is a big part of their offense. Like Oregon, they were really off in this game, only making 8 of their 41 attempts. Notre Dame was better than USF but really, not very good.
The Bulls lost all three games in the tournament and Notre Dame was 1-2. Both are now 5-4 on the season. Not exactly a distinguished record. I can't see much good happening for either team the rest of the season. Harsh, huh.
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The big one, and I do mean BIG ONE was No. 8 Louisville taking down No. 1 Oregon 72-62 in a game that was dominated by the Louisville defense. I would bet you don't see another shooting night for the Ducks for the rest of the season.
The Cards held Oregon to 34.2% shooting and the Ducks couldn't find the range from deep shooting 6-35 from long range. It's clear that with 35 attempts, Oregon had a game plan. It didn't work. They do average 30+ three point attempts per game so it was nothing unusual, other than they shot so poorly.
Louisville also did a great job holding Oregon's AA center Ruth Ebard to only 10 points. Individually, Louisville was just too quick and strong getting out to the shooters for force that low percentage. Ionescu was 1-9 on threes, Sabally was 2-11. Louisville Senior Kylee Shook was just outstanding in this game on both ends of the floor. She scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds along with two blocks. She even guarded Ionescu at times.
There was so much talk about the great Oregon Ducks, some fans comparing them to great Uconn teams of the past. Some said it was Oregon at the top and everyone else below them. But when a team relies on the three point shot so much, there will be games they don't fall and you have to find other ways to score enough points. Great teams do that.
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The second biggest upset was No. 5 South Carolina taking down No. 2 Baylor, 74-59. It was a great game for the Gamecocks. They were just better in the clutch than the Bears and continued to score while Baylor struggled from the field and with handling the ball.
I think everyone needs to remember that Baylor is without Lauren Cox, a pre-season AA and a fantastic player. She is a difference maker. I've love to see these teams meet again in the NCAA tournament with everyone healthy.
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The another upset Notre Dame beat No. 21 South Florida 67-51. The game was actually close until the Irish pulled away in the third quarter. South Florida took 41 threes in this game, something that is a big part of their offense. Like Oregon, they were really off in this game, only making 8 of their 41 attempts. Notre Dame was better than USF but really, not very good.
The Bulls lost all three games in the tournament and Notre Dame was 1-2. Both are now 5-4 on the season. Not exactly a distinguished record. I can't see much good happening for either team the rest of the season. Harsh, huh.
In maybe one of the craziest finishes I've ever heard of, Green Bay was able to tie No. 18 Syracuse in the fourth quarter to take the Orange into overtime before winning 79-73. Just check out the play by play.
Syracuse was up 55-50 from the 4:36 mark until the :52 mark. That is almost four minutes of no scoring. I'm sure you would not believe what happened the next 52 seconds.
Syracuse makes a free throw. 56-50. 52 seconds left.
Green Bay makes a three point shot. 56-53. 43 seconds left.
Syracuse make a free throw. 57-53. 33 seconds left.
Green Bay makes a three point shot. 57-56. 31 seconds left.
Syracuse makes two free throws. 59-56. 23 seconds left.
Green Bay makes two free throws. 59-58. 22 seconds left.
Syracuse makes two free throws. 61-58. 21 seconds left.
Green Bay makes a free throw. 61-59. 10 seconds left
Syracuse makes two free throws. 63-59. 10 seconds left.
Green Bay makes a layup. 63-61. 3 seconds left.
Green Bay makes a free throw. 63-62. 3 seconds left.
Syracuse makes two free throws. 65-62. 2 seconds left.
Green Bay makes a hail mary three pointer with no time left. The officials reviewed and basket was good. 65-65 at the buzzer!!!!
I can't wait to see the video on this finish.
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I just wanted to point out the minutes disbursement for both Louisville and Oregon in their game Saturday night.
As has been talked about so many times this season for UConn, most teams only go so deep into the bench in games that are against the better teams or are close or both.
Louisville, who won the game, really went only 6 deep with players logging 40, 40, 35, 34, 23, and 17 minutes.
Oregon only went 6 deep with players logging 38,37, 37, 32, 30 and 19 minutes.
Baylor, in their loss to South Carolina only went 6 deep as well with players logging 39, 38, 35, 34, 25, 14. Three other players split 15 minutes.
As has been talked about so many times this season for UConn, most teams only go so deep into the bench in games that are against the better teams or are close or both.
Louisville, who won the game, really went only 6 deep with players logging 40, 40, 35, 34, 23, and 17 minutes.
Oregon only went 6 deep with players logging 38,37, 37, 32, 30 and 19 minutes.
Baylor, in their loss to South Carolina only went 6 deep as well with players logging 39, 38, 35, 34, 25, 14. Three other players split 15 minutes.
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?????????????????????????
So, with No. 1 Oregon losing to No. 8 Louisville, No. 2 Baylor losing to No. 5 South Carolina and No. 3 Stanford playing a tough No. 10 Mississippi State it's possible that every team ahead of UConn in the poll could lose and UConn might move up to No. 1?? Crazy???
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By David in Naples!!!!!
Even with a record of 6-0, the Huskies can improve in a number of ways. For example, UConn already has 75 turnovers versus just 109 assists. Other areas needing improvement are:
1. Christyn is hitting only 32% of her three-Point shots. (9-28) Last year she was over 35%.
2. Megan has 15 turnovers to match her 15 assists.
3. Crystal has only taken 7 free throws. She has made 6, which is good, but Megan has 21 tries and Christyn, Liv and Aubrey all have 14.
4. Speaking of Aubrey, her free throw % is just 43%.
5. Megan is 2nd on the team in total rebounds, but only 2 are offensive boards. That is fewer than Crystal..!
6. Finally, as a team, UConn is only making 69% of their free throws. They are free, take advantage.
Go Huskies..!!
UCONN LINKS1. Christyn is hitting only 32% of her three-Point shots. (9-28) Last year she was over 35%.
2. Megan has 15 turnovers to match her 15 assists.
3. Crystal has only taken 7 free throws. She has made 6, which is good, but Megan has 21 tries and Christyn, Liv and Aubrey all have 14.
4. Speaking of Aubrey, her free throw % is just 43%.
5. Megan is 2nd on the team in total rebounds, but only 2 are offensive boards. That is fewer than Crystal..!
6. Finally, as a team, UConn is only making 69% of their free throws. They are free, take advantage.
Go Huskies..!!
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Top Twenty-Five Scores and Links
Upsets in Red
Upsets in Red
No. 1 Oregon 62 No 8 Louisville 72
No. 2 Baylor 59 No. 5 South Carolina 75
No. 3 Stanford vs No. 10 Mississippi State
No. 7 Oregon State 68 Liberty 55
No. 9 Maryland 90 Belmont 26
No. 11 UCLA 61 UCF 56
No. 12 NC State 68 Hawaii 59
No. 15 Michigan State 65 Kansas State 60
No. 17 Indiana 78 Washington State 44
No. 18 Syracuse 73 Green Bay 79
No. 19 Miami 80 Miami (Ohio) 62
No. 21 South Florida 51 Notre Dame 67
No. 22 Gonzaga 62 Middle Tennessee State 50
No. 25 Arkansas 68 Wisconsin 64
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