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UConn 87 Providence 50
UConn struggled from the start (See David's section for details) but after the first 5 minutes, the Huskies found their rhythm and ran away from the Friars.
Providence ran out to a 7-1 lead as UConn just couldn't get out of their own way. In fact UConn didn't score the first 4 minutes of the game. It's a good thing there were no fans there, as they would have been exhausted standing that long! It sure did look like what happens after a long layoff, but that didn't stop me from worrying when this crappy showing would stop. Well, after Providence then went ahead 12-5, I stopped worrying.
The Huskies, behind the subs Makurat (first game not starting), and Griffin, went on a 12-2 run to take a 17-14 lead and a 19-18 lead after one quarter.
The second quarter was just UConn dominance. They held the Friars to 11 points while picking up their scoring with 27 points for the 46-29 lead.
UConn really turned on the defense as Geno subbed liberally. They held Providence to 8 points and had 26 points to go to the fourth quarter with a 72-37 lead.
The last quarter was just UConn running out the clock. Scoring is tougher to come by when the end of the bench is in.
Just a solid effort by UConn. They shot 52.4% from the field, 40% on threes, and 15-17 from the foul line. 6 early turnovers, but they only ended up with 14 to go along with their 20 assists.
Paige was just amazing as usual. She led the team with 23 points on 8-10 shooting, 5 assists and 3 steals. And as Geno has been saying, she still needs to shoot more.
Aubrey was a real sparkplug off the bench. She had 18 points and 9 rebounds. And incredibly, she had 8 offensive rebounds. Just a real pogo stick out there.
I wouldn't be honest if I didn't mention the disappearing act by Christyn Williams. She looked so lost in this game and that should never happen to a Junior with her credentials. In 14 minutes, she didn't take a shot. Didn't get fouled. She did grab three rebounds, but they probably fell into her lap. I hope she is ok. That was just a weird performance.
Congrats to Geno on tying Pat Summitt in wins. Will he ever catch Tara? Maybe not.
He will pass Pat in Wednesday when UConn takes on Seton Hall.
How was my prediction??
"So, what will happen in this game? Well, it's a pretty easy call. UConn will rebound and run like crazy the first three quarters before Geno slows it down. If UConn hits over 35% on threes, they will reach 100 points. Not much more to say. UConn by 50."
Eh...not too bad. I didn't take into account the rusty start. I was wrong about the threes too. Oh well.
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Game Highlights
Just Paige Game Highlights
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POST GAME INTERVIEWS
GENO
Paige
Aubrey
Anna
Paige asks Geno a question
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Post Game Quotes
Head Coach Geno Auriemma
On Aubrey Griffin:
"It's a game where you try to take advantage of the talents that you have. Certainly Aubrey showed that today. She
got more offensive rebounds than the rest of our team combined. She works really hard, and there are some things
that she's still learning. She impacted the game in so many ways."
On Paige Bueckers:
"She knows where she wants to shoot, and she knows how to get there. She's very good at reading the game,
whether the ball is in her hands or not. She knows she has the green light to shoot wherever and whenever she
wants."
On Evina Westbrook
"I thought she showed real assertiveness today. She was very aggressive in her approach. She instigated a lot of
stuff instead of waiting for it to happen. These last couple of games, I've seen a lot more from her, and I'm really
proud of her."
On Nika Muhl and Mir McLean coming off the bench:
"We need their energy. That's the one thing that I know I'm going to get from the two of them. For now, that's
good and what we need."
Sophomore Forward Aubrey Griffin
On how she has improved:
"I have been staying consistent. Practice has been good so far, and I'm just carrying that through to the game.
Being more confident and staying consistent has allowed me to perform better during practices."
Freshman Guard Paige Bueckers
On the slow start to the game:
"It was all on us. We started off the game slow. they got off to a really good start and we didn't. when the new
group came in, we tried to pick up the energy."
On Aubrey Griffin:
"Aubrey played amazing. She had a really great practice the other day, and this was a continuation of that."
On Evina Westbrook
"She's a fighter and one of the strongest people I know. If Evina brings it, everyone else brings it. We lean on her a
lot for energy and leadership."
Sophomore Guard Anna Makurat
On coming off the bench:
"I have the same mindset every time I step on the floor. I want to contribute and help the team win."
On her shooting performances:
"I had a lot of open shots in past games and missed a lot of them. I had a lot of time to work on my shot for this game. I feel more confident now."
Coach wants to see me taking great shots. Being confident is a big part of making great shots."
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Loyola Chicago at Missouri State - Postponed.
The Memphis Tigers Women’s Basketball game against Wichita State is postponed due to COVID-19 cases with the shockers. The game was set for Jan. 13 at Wichita. The AAC is working on a makeup date.
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By David in Naples
So, in my last blog David posted - "UConn fans are all worried about Anna Makurat's shooting woes so far this season. After 6 games last year Makurat was 7-28 (25%) from the field and 4-21 (19%) on threes. This year after 6 games she is 14-35 (40%) from the field and 7-26 (27%) on shots beyond the arc. Everyone RELAX!!"
Well, in the game against Providence, she was 3-5 on threes. Now her shooting percentages are 42.5% and 32.5%. Yes, relax!!!
Ok...here is today's contribution from David.
UConn started the Providence game as expected after an 11 day lay-off. Consider:
1. The Huskies made 1 basket in the first 5 minutes of the game.
2. They had 6 turnovers.
3. UConn missed 3 of their first 4 shots.
4. They were losing 7-1 at the 5 minute mark.
Starting at the 3:30 mark in the first period, the Huskies played the next 36 and a half minutes like UConn of old:
1. Outscored Providence 82-38.
2. Had just 8 turnovers the rest of the game.
3. Shot 40% from 3 range, with 3 by Anna Makurat.
4. Blocked 8 shots & forced 19 turnovers.
5. Went 14-15 from the free throw line in the last 36 minutes.
Nice turnaround for the Huskies.
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No. 17 Texas 58 West Virginia 92 - When your best player fouls out with only 5 points and 3 rebounds, you know it was a tough game and boy, was it for No. 17 Texas in a Big 12 battle with West Virginia. Collier was just terrible in this game. She had 3 fouls in the first quarter and that was it for Texas. They battled for the first quarter and the 24-18 deficit didn't seem out of reach. But the Mountaineers just ran away from the Longhorns with a 22-11 second quarter. It just got worse for Texas with West Virginia piling on with a 28-9 third quarter and the game was just over at that point. The Longhorns will probably still stay in the Top 25. It's just the way rankings work. But you can be sure Vic is going to be running them until they drop. That was an embarrassing loss. And a great win for West Virginia.
No. 18 South Florida vs Houston - I watched this game early on and I thought Houston would give South Florida a tough time. It was 21-20 Houston after 1 quarter and it was still close at the half, with the Bulls up 44-38. And then it was over. South Florida ran away with it in the 3rd quarter outscoring the Cougars 19-5. The Bulls coasted in from there for an easy 80-51 win. Looks like South Florida has slid into UConn's former spot on top of the AAC.
No. 21 Gonzaga 75 Portland 43 - The Zags beat Portland behind a double-double by Jenn Wirth. This was a typical WCC conference game for Gonzaga where they led from beginning to end. The Zags have only lost to South Carolina and South Dakota State. Interesting enough they beat South Dakota in a game that was sandwiched by the two losses. Yes, they went from South to South to South.
No. 22 Northwestern 77 Iowa 67 - Well, I've been tough on Northwestern, but they played a great game in handing Iowa their second loss of the season. Veronica Burton had 18 points and 7 assists for the Wildcats. Iowa was led by Monika Czinano with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
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