Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 1/19/2021

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My wife and I got our first Covid-19 vaccine shots!!! Our arms are pretty sore but so far no other symptoms!

I still have my golfer's tan!!!!

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UConn 103 Butler 35

After an expected slow start with 10 days between games, UConn looked really good against an over-matched Butler team. Even though it was against a truly inferior opponent, you could see UConn playing better and better.

I loved the ball movement in this game. It doesn't matter how good or bad the opponent is, ball movement is ball movement. 26 assists and only 11 turnovers is a great ratio.

Defensively they looked as good as they have all season. Again, against a weaker opponent, but the switches were perfect and the double teams were quick and the recoveries from the doubles to cover were spot on.

A few things happened that bode well for UConn going into the Tennessee game:

- I love starting Griffin. I think Geno did that partially because he needs her defense from the beginning of the game in covering one of the big three for Tennessee. That would be Davis, Burrell and Horston. More on that in my Pre Game Report, coming out sometime on Wednesday. Griffin seemed inspired with a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds.

- Williams looked like Williams again in this game. She was hot early on threes and she changes the offense when she is doing that. Just a solid game for her with 17 points.

- Westbrook had a nice game in preparation for the emotional insanity that awaits her in Knoxville. 6-7 from the field for 14 points and 3 assists. Three blocks too.

- ONO had another good game with 18 points and 2 blocks. The match up with the Tennessee bigs will go a long way in determining the winner. She looks up to the task.

- Interesting game for Paige. She had 6 assists and only 3 points in the first half. But 2 assists and 10 points in the second half. Going 3-4 on threes, she is over 50% for the season.

- Makarat was scoreless. And didn't take a shot. Either Geno said don't shoot and show me what else you can do or she took it on herself to do that. I thought she played a very good game. She ended up with 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Something tells you it will be the last game this year she doesn't take a shot.

- Another solid game for Edward, and Geno will need her to help counter the Tennessee size. 8 points and 3 rebounds. I love the 2-2 from the line. Shows great concentration.

- Nice job by McLean too. She was really active, didn't look as lost and played really hard. I think she earned a few minutes against Tennessee. Her great athleticism will help. She had 6 points, 3 rebounds, an assists and a steal.

- Gabriel and Chassion are a breath of fresh air compared to players coming off the bench to finish off blowouts. They really look like they belong. So great to see Chassion hit that three.

- So, Nika Muhl finally scored her first points in a UConn uniform. But it didn't come without a price. Geno was not happy with her, got in her face and then sat her down and did what Geno does best. He teaches. I wish he didn't have his mask on so I could read his lips. But through the tears in her eye, Mulh just listened most of the time looking Geno in the eyes, soaking it up. And when she got back in the game, she play a solid and effective game. She will be just fine and better off because of it. Here is a screen shot I took.

Overall great game for UConn and a big stats builder.

They shot 61.5% from the field, more than likely increasing their nation leading field goal percentage and 10-22 on threes for 45.5%. That will improve that mediocre 34% they were shooting before this game.

There were a lot of minutes in this game for all the freshmen. And they did UConn proud!!

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Rutgers women’s basketball has postponed home games on Thursday against Penn State and Sunday against Iowa. The Scarlet Knights (5-3) have not played since an outbreak of COVID-19 hit the team on Jan. 3. By the end of this week, they will have postposed six games with only 10 left on the schedule. Rutgers has not announced any recent positive tests, but it cannot play because of protocols outlining a return to competition after positive COVID-19 tests among Tier 1 individuals.

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By David in Naples

Many UConn fans think Christyn Williams had a bad year playing for the Huskies last season. Some even think she is worst this season and should be benched in favor of Aubrey or Aaliyah. Just about the only one who believes in her is Geno. I say Geno believes in Squeeks because he has started her in 77 out of 78 games she dressed for. The one exception is Senior Night last year. Last year she was on the court for more minutes than any other player. Her 1,140 minutes were more than Megan's 1,086 and even more than Crystal's 1,061 minutes. This year, she is 2nd in minutes to Paige, 229 vs 245. So what does Geno know that many are not seeing?

Well, in two seasons plus 7 games, Christyn has scored 1,012 points or about 13 points every time she suits up. While her shooting % went down from 49% to 46% last season, it is back up to 47% this year. Her career assist vs turnovers is 182-118 to the positive. Her rebound total went from 122 to 158 to 39 this year. Geno trusts her to play up to her talent and potential. He sees improvement, even if fans don't. Her benching during the last game was to motivate her. Watch tonight, and see how well she plays...

Christyn's 1,012 points are 47th all-time at UConn. She has the rest of this season and all of next year to add to that total. Reaching 1,500 points would put her in Moriah Jefferson (1,532 points) and Crystal Dangerfield (1,480) territory. I think most UConn fans would be very happy with that kind of production.

Prediction - Christyn starts tonight and plays very well. Same for the game vs Tennessee on Thursday.

Go Huskies..!!

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By Phil

The Uconn Butler game was statistically odd.

Two UConn players, Nika and Autumn both scored their first points in a Uconn uniform. That's probably a common event in the first game or two of the season but how often does that happen in January? I don't even know how to look it up but I bet it's quite rare.

Butler came within a whisker of having only two players score. A late basket by Tenley Dowell was the only basket other than those by Adika and Parker.

Adika sank seven baskets. That's one more than the rest of the team combined. How often does that happen?

Adika was seven for 11, or 64%. The rest of the team was 6 to 33 or 18%.

Aubrey earned player of the game honors in her first ever start. How often does that happen? (Again it's probably not terribly unusual in the first game of the season, so how often does that happen January or later?)

UConn scored 33 points in the third quarter but that's not the only time they've put up 30, they had 38 in the first quarter against Xavier.

No UConn player missed free throw except for Liv and she was four for six.

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No. 23 Syracuse 88 North Carolina 76 - It took a big fourth quarter, but Syracuse was able to come back from a 6 point deficit by outscoring North Carolina 27-9 to finish the game for a 12 point win. Kiara Lewis was the big scorer for the Orange with 23 points. Tiana Mangakahia add 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kamilla Cardoso added another double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds. All 10 points were scored in the second half.

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