Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 12/24/19

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Image result for not pretty has to be gritty

But it was pretty in this game!!!!

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Merry Christmas to all my friends and loyal blog readers!!!!

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A BLAST FROM THE PAST!!!

So, around ten years ago, 12/23/2009, No. 1 UConn hosted No. 2 Stanford in a Christmas week game. Both teams were undefeated at the time. It was a sellout crowd of 16,000+ at the XL Center. UConn was down at the half 40-38 before roaring back int he second half for an 80-68 win. The Huskies went on to an undefeated season and a National Championship.

Stanford was a really good team that season. They had Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Jeannette Pohlen, Jane Appel, Kayla Pedersen and Rosalyn Gold-Onwude in the starting lineup.

UConn was loaded of course with Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Kalana Greene, Tiffany Hayes, and Carolina Doty in the starting lineup with Kelley Faris off the bench.

This was clearly a 6 player team. Only Faris played off the bench. It might to some fans good to remember that when UConn is actually going deeper off the bench this season than the undefeated National Championship team of 2009-10.

Oh yeah, by the way, they beat Stanford 53-47 in the championship game that year.

Here is a link to the box score. Enjoy the highlight video.

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THE FUTURE

My friend Eric posted recently what an amazing several months of recruiting this team has had. It's really quite remarkable.

Let's take a look at what has happened and when.

It all started with UConn losing three players in the 2019 class that all the fans were going gaga over.

On October 3rd, 2018 Jordan Horston committed to Tennessee.

On November 28th, 2018 both Aliyah Boston committed to South Carolina and Haley Jones committed to Stanford.

Jones was the No. 1 recruit, Horston was the No. 2 recruit and Boston was the No. 3 recruit. And all three had UConn in their final 2 or 3 destinations.

It was a dark day in UConn nation. Some were positive that Boston was heading to Storrs. In fact, most were. I mean, how often does it happen that Geno misses on THREE top recruiting targets in the same season?

If you read the message boards, you would have thought it was the end of UConn women's basketball.

So, what has happened since that dreadful day in November?

Prior to those young ladies committing elsewhere, on September 22nd 2018 - Aubrey Griffin ranked 21st in the class of 2019 committed to the Huskies.

Then -

On April 30th 2019, UConn got it's second 2019 recruit in the late signing period. Anna Makarut, a 6'1" guard from Poland decided to bring her skills to Storrs.

UConn needed bodies so.....

On May 2nd 2019 - Evelyn Adebayo, a 5th year senior transfer

May 13th 2019 - Evina Westbrook RS Junior transfer No. 1/2 in her 2017 class

Ok...four players. Westbrook is a great get as a transfer. Adebayo (at the time) was a good pickup as a post backup, and Griffin was believed to be underrated at 21 due to an injury. Makarut, not rated as she is a European player, is like a Top 25 recruit. It's a good group, but after losing out on those top 3 recruits, it just didn't satisfy many fans.

We all thought that 2020 was a big test for Geno and the program. He HAD to get a solid class with 4 spots to fill.

So what happened?

On April fools day 2019, Paige Bueckers committed to UConn. The No. 1 recruit in the 2020 class, she is thought to be a generational talent. And somewhat of a Pied Piper, drawing in recruits that want to play with her.

Then on April 8th, Nika Muhl, a talented guard out of Croatia commited to the Huskies. While not ranked by ESPN, I believe she is a top 20 talent. Maybe even better.

After that, on June 30th, Mir McClean, a jumping jack of a player at 5'11" committed to UConn. She is ranked 21 by ESPN.

Then, on October 24, UConn got great news when Aayalah Edwards, a 6'2" forward and the best player in Canada for her class, was coming to UConn.

Last to commit from the 2020 class is 6'5" post Piath Gabriel, not ranked as of yet by ESPN but 41 on Prospects Nation.

So, there you go. A great 2020 class after the disappointment of 2019. And a couple of transfers, one a great player. All is good. Right? We can hope about the 2021 and 2022 class.

Not so fast!!!!

Geno wasn't done.

On July 19, 2019 No. 17 recruit Saylor Poffenbarger committed to the Huskies. At 6'2" it's always great to add a big guard to the lineup.

Then on December 13, No. 5 recruit Amari DeBerry said she was heading to Storrs. Size baby!!!!

And four days later, one more and final commitment in this extended period of excellent recruiting was added. No. 3 recruit in the class of 2022, Isuneh Brady, a 6'4" post is bringing her talents to UConn.

That's an addition of 12 players to the roster in 14 months.

I guess we can say Geno still has the touch.

The No. 1 recruit in 2021, Azzi Fudd will be next. I hope!

Geno's recruiting is a great Christmas or Hanukkah present for us all.

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By David in Naples!!!!!

One of the oddest stats from Sunday's victory over Oklahoma was the lack of free throws by UConn. For the entire game, only Olivia went to the charity stripe. She went 1-3 for a total of one point. That is in sharp contrast to the Seton Hall game when the Huskies feasted at the line, going 16-19. The previous low this season was Dayton, where UConn went 3-4 and only Megan and Christyn went to the charity stripe.

It is not like Oklahoma didn't foul anyone. They had 13 total fouls and even had one player foul out with 5 fouls. UConn was averaging 13.8 free throw attempts per game coming into the match with Oklahoma. Now that is down to 12.7 per game. Rather than a lack of fouls on Oklahoma, it appears the refs were content to let the two teams just play hard, without all the extra foul calls.

UCONN LINKS

Takeaways from UConn's win over Oklahoma
Holiday Wish List for best teams (UConn Mention)
Nine best Duos in WCBB this season so far (UConn Mention)

Top Twenty-Five Scores and Links
Upsets in Red

No Games Until Saturday, 12/28

Statistical Sites