Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 11/8/19

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BIG NEWS!!!!!

6'5" Amari DeBerry, ESPN' 5th ranked player and No. 1 forward for the class of 2021 has committed to UConn!!! She is the No. 3 player and No. 1 post according to Prospects Nation. And the 4th ranked player on Bluestar.

Here is the ESPN description of her game - Agile interior prospect brings superior size, defensive presence to the key; alters shots, rebounds and initiates the fast break; offensive firepower brings face up game threat in the key and beyond; mobile in transition game; impacts in the paint; a power-5 prospect in the class of 2021.

I love this video. She hits a three pointer, makes two left handed post moves, hits a short jumper, steals the ball, makes a nice pass, blocks a shot and more. She has a complete game!

And if you have 23 minutes, you can get a good look at this wonderful young woman.

Yes, she is a huge get for the Huskies. She is part of the growing 2021 class in addition to 6'2" guard Saylor Poffenbarger, No. 17 on ESPN, No. 10 on Bluestar and No. 7 on ASGR.

Patience Husky fans. There will eventually be an even bigger addition to this terrific class. Here is your clue.

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Image result for underestimate me at your own risk

ESPN has an article predicting the Final Four and Champion for this season. Only one pundit predicted UConn for the Final Four and none had them as champion.

This team is going to surprise a lot of people, but we won't be able to say for sure until March. I'm really looking forward to watching them grow together as a team.

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Some sports writers are so lazy. In an article I linked, the writer was reviewing the UConn vs California game. It wasn't bad article. Somewhat informative.

The writer predicted a close game because California is a tough team. Well, they were last year in UConn's 10 point win in California. However, if the writer took the time to even look at the roster changes for the Golden Bears, he would know that they lost 4 starters including the Wooden Defensive player of the year in their center Anigwe and their starting point guard who hit six three pointers against UConn last year.

You want a good game preview, here is my UConn/Cal Pregame Report. I was waiting until after the California/Harvard game. At least I actually saw the California team before creating a game preview!!

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And to solidify my point on California, here is a post I found made by a Cal fan on a UConn message board, where the predictions are giving the Golden Bears too much credit -

LOL

I'm laughing bc no Cal fan on the Cal board would be as optimistic for the Bears as the replies I'm seeing.

Yes, Cal kept the score pretty close last year but that was a fluke PLUS having Kristine Anigwe (who actually didn't even play well).

Cal is expected to be rebuilding and picked to finish very very low in the conference, the lowest for Cal in maybe 20 years. And the Cal fans are not arguing! We see this as being sort of an exploratory season but still excited for the new HC and long-time assistant Charmin Smith to get her chance, and we are ecstatic about our recruiting class (a top 20, top 40, and top 60, plus a promising Euro guard) but they don't come til next year.

Most Cal fans would maybe expect and be satisfied with a score around 75-50 score, UConn. But Cal has really enjoyed the series with UConn and would love to see it continued if possible.

Recall, Cal lost Kiana Smith who transferred to Louisville (who would have been expected to be the best returnee) and also McD's AA Forbes (transferred to Harvard). 3 starters graduated. Our only real post to replace Anigwe (Celeste West) has battled injuries much of her career and not in the best shape as a result). We will likely have a freshman point guard starting who was a late signee after her original choice Pepperdine had a coaching change, and although she's been promising in early glimpses she was not a ranked recruit out of HS.

Basically what I have in my pregame report!

And after watching them LOSE to Harvard, I believe I will stick with my evaluation of Cal. In fact, I believe they are worse than I thought.

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