Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Doggy's Doghouse 11/30/2021

 







 








                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
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GO UCONN!!!!!

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Happy third night of Chanukah!! 

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Latest commit KK Arnold Highlights!! 

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UPSETS IN RED 
MOST SCORES HAVE CLICKABLE LINKS TO A GAME STORY

No. 5 Baylor 37 Morehead State 17 at the half

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By Phil
 
Vol fans are right

In DoggyDaddy's recent blog post he said, "I just love how they believe that Tennessee gets treated differently than any other team."
Actually, Vol fans are correct. Let's look at the evidence.

First, a little background. 
There are fundamentally two types of ratings. One type is a pure mathematical algorithm, such as RPI, NET or Massey ratings. The other type is human polls, such as the AP and coaches poll. A lot can be said about the differences, but I'll emphasize only three points:
1. Mathematical algorithms are typically terrible with too little data, so the early-season ratings can often sometimes absurd. They tend to get better over the course of the season and are reasonably good at the end of the season.
2. Human based polls have the advantage of incorporating a lot of information, such as injuries and recovery from injuries, that would be very difficult to quantify with an algorithm. They typically outperform pure mathematical algorithms early in the season.
3. The advantages of human polls are often offset by psychology factors, such as crowd behavior, sometimes called contagion theory. Another psychological flaw is the penchant for humans to overweight reputation. (This will be the main point of this post)

I hope DD won't yell at me too much for pointing out the Tennessee used to be really, really good, especially in years which were mostly before players on the current teams were born. This reputation still manifests itself in the rankings.

But don't just take my word for it, let's look at some evidence. Algorithms don't give a hoot about reputation, so let's look at the end of the year Massey rankings and see how they stack up against Tennessee's ratings in recent years.

In 2020–21, Tennessee ended the year ranked number 13 in the AP poll and number 16 in the Coaches Poll. Massey had them at number 20, so seven and four points respectively lower. If this was all I had, it would not mean very much as any single data point can be affected by a number of issues, and it would be statistically inappropriate to draw too much inference from one observation.

In 2019–20, Massey ranked Tennessee at number 30. The human polls had Tennessee ranked as high as number 17 during the season but typically in the 20s. It wasn't until February when the human voters finally threw in the towel and drop them from the ratings. This is a clear example showing how the humans gave more weight to the reputation of Tennessee than the computer algorithm that simply looked at the performance.

In 2018–19, Massey ranked Tennessee at number 34. The human polls had Tennessee ranked as highly as eighth, before finally dropping them from the rankings in late January. Another clear example that humans were giving too much weight to reputation from years past.
When we get back to 2017–18, we are getting to a year in which Tennessee was deservedly a top 25 team. They ended the year ranked number 15 by Massey but look at the human polls.  The polls had them as high as seventh during the season, although results or lack thereof caught up to them and the posters had Tennessee at 12th and 17th for the AP and coaches respectively. The average of the final human polls is remarkably close to Massey but note that the human effect of over-weighting reputation had Tennessee well above their final rank most of the season.

In 2017–18, Massey had Tennessee at number 21 at the end of the season, one of the few examples where the Massey algorithm rated Tennessee more highly than the posters at the end of the season. However, note that the posters had Tennessee as high as 13 early in the season, again overweighting reputation, and it was only when the losses mounted that the posters finally gave up the ghost.

I haven't worked at other years, but I won't be surprised if a similar pattern occurs. If we go far enough back, will get into years where Tennessee was pretty good, so I would guess there would be a closer match between the pollsters results and Massey results.
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By David in Naples

The latest AP poll ranking WBB teams has UConn tied for 2nd place with North Carolina State (6-1), just behind #1 South Carolina. There are no fewer than 10 undefeated teams in the top 25 list. South Carolina is 7-0, #7 Arizona is also 7-0. The remaining undefeated teams include Iowa, Tennessee, Michigan, Iowa State, Texas A&M and Florida Gulf Coast. Many of these teams will play each other during the regular season, guaranteeing someone a loss. For example, the SEC has 4 of the 10 teams without a loss. They all play each other in their conference schedule.

The same is true for the PAC 12, which has 4 teams in the top 25, although only 1, Arizona (7-0), is undefeated. The Big Ten conference has five teams in the top 25 and three remain undefeated. They are #9 Iowa, #12 Michigan and #18 Ohio State. Those teams with "cupcake" opening schedules will soon face tougher games in conference. 

Thursday should start the thinning process as #2 NC State faces #6 Indiana and undefeated #9 Iowa plays against undefeated, but unranked, Duke (6-0). Thursday also has #12 Michigan (7-0) facing #10 Louisville (5-1). Let the losses begin...  8-)

Go Huskies..!!

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Message Boards

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UCONN Information



I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

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Monday, November 29, 2021

Doggy's Doghouse 11/29/2021

  







 








                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
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GO UCONN!!!!!

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From my cousin Ellie's house.

Happy second night of Chanukah!! 

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My daughter only looks at my blog to see the pictures of her sons Logan and Barrett and gets upset when they are not there. So in this blog I'm posting a picture of her.  Happy???? 

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I have a few links with more the details in the UConn Link section, but wow, Paige signed a contract with Gatorade!!

The Wall Street Journal is reporting she could be making an estimated $1-million a year in endorsements between Gatorade and another deal with Stock X. I'll say it now. Paige just love to play basketball and with that kind of money in her bank account, don't be surprised if she uses that extra Covid season to play 4 years with her best friend Azzi Fudd. 

There are plenty of great college players, including the men, but there is something very special about this young lady. Her basketball skills are one thing but her personality is special and unique. 

Congrats to Paige. More endorsments coming in her future.


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After a week of upsets, there is no surprise that the Top 25 is all shook up!!! 

South Carolina was undefeated and held on to the No. 1 slot.

Maryland is now No. 8 dropping a big 6 spots. No surprise there. Even though they had injuries and played other top teams, two losses is two losses. 

UConn moved into the No. 2 spot, up one even though they didn't play a game.  But by not playing they couldn't influence any of the voters so formerly No. 5 North Caorlina State was tied with UConn at 704 points. 

Maryland's big move down was not the biggest. Oregon State dropped 7 places to No. 23 and Florida State dropped 8 spots to No. 25. 

But the biggest hit, and deservedly so, was UCLA who dropped from No. 19 to clear out of the Top 25 and to the 29th spot. 

Two other teams dropped out of the Top 25. West Virginia moved from 22 to 26 and Virginia Tech went from 24 to 27.

Teams entering the Top 25 were Notre Dame at 25 and BYU at No. 21.       

On the plus side South Florida is as high as I can remember, rising 5 places to No. 23. And Texas A&M made a big jump, up 7 spots to No. 17. And fellow SEC team Georgia rose 6 spots to No. 20 entering the Top 25. 

I long ago stopped trying to figure out the voters. I'm sure they really don't look deeply into the strength of schedule our margin of victory.    

What a crazy week!!!!   And Phil has his take on the poll. He makes some great points even though he was nice to Tennessee. BLECH!!!

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UPSETS IN RED 
MOST SCORES HAVE CLICKABLE LINKS TO A GAME STORY

No. 1 South Carolina 79 North Caolina A&T 42

Boy oh Boy.....after a slow start South Carolina's Boston has really turned it on. Against a small North Carolina A&T team with only two players over 6' tall, she had 29 points and 14 rebounds in the first 3 quarters. 13-13 from the field, 1-1 on threes and 2-2 from the foul line. A perfect shooting night. 

She really is a great player. She is no Bueckers (just ask Gatorade), but still darn good. 

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By Phil
 
I think the voters were very generous to Maryland. The first five opponents were a cupcake fest; a combined record of 10 and 18 and only Villanova weighing in at Massey ranked 99 were not triple digit ranked opponents.

That means there season today consisted of five warm-up games, not a single one of which presented a serious challenge to a team that deserves to be ranked in the top 25. The very best whin of those five opponents was the win by James Madison over number 146 Virginia.

That means the serious part of their season consist of three games, one of which qualifies as a win (by a scant three points) and the other two are not just losses but blowout losses. That's what passes for the eighth best team in the country? Massey ranks them at 13 which itself seems a little generous but is a little more reasonable than 8.

I almost (emphasis on almost) feel sorry for Tennessee who scheduled today is right sixth best in the country and they are 6 - 0.

Even with those last three teams Maryland strength of schedule is number 51. Why have they been rewarded?

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Funny Quotes from Vol Nation

After I read these posts in Volnation.com I knew there would be some great posts complaining about the AP Top 25 poll. 

"I think we could come in as high as 7th in the polls this week. Certainly expect to break into the top ten."

"Based on Voepel’s article it looks like we will be #7 in the AP poll."

Yep......

"Looks like we didn't move in the AP poll totally ridiculous but whatever."

"Total BS!"

"They don’t believe in us smh"

"Yeah I’m annoyed. We’re the only team that totally took care of business and we didn’t move at all. Stanford had two quality wins but also a loss and moved up 2 spots. Riddle me that?"

"Its the disrespect factor. The grade tennessee much harder than other teams and refuse to put them in the Top 10 until they prove more than others have to prove smh sad."

I just love how they believe that Tennessee gets treated differently than any other team. 

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By David in Naples

Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 5 blocked shots in the Huskies' loss to South Carolina last week. That brought her career total to 217, good enough for 8th place all time. 

Next up for Liv is #7 Naphessa Collier at 251 blocks and #6 Stef Dolson with 254. Both are in reach for Liv, but 5th place all time is a stretch with Tina Charles at 304. 

At the top of the blocked shot list is Breanna Stewart at 414 total blocks.

Go Huskies..!!

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UCONN LINKS
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It you want to see what a big deal this is just count all the articles out there. There were over 20. 
Too many for me to list.


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Message Boards

UConn Territory - The best UConn women's message board ever!!! 
College Fans Only - WCBB board where no holds are barred
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Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else

UCONN Information



I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

doggydaddy.UConn@gmail.com 
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Sunday, November 28, 2021

Doggy's Doghouse 11/28/2021

 







 








                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
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GO UCONN!!!!!

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Logan was so happy with his new tablet

I made the Latkes! I
'll be making 250+ for my catering friend this week.

Ready for lighting!!

My wife made a cupcake menorah 
with chocolate covered pretzels as candles 
and gummies as flames. 

Logan ducking down!!  

Me and my buddie Barrett!!

And my granddaughters in Florida!!!


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CONGRATS NAPHEESA!!!!!
 

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By Phil

Current winning streaks

Here is a question to ask your friends who consider themselves knowledgeable about women's basketball — which Division I team has the nation's longest current winning streak?

If they don't read this blog my guess is none of them will know.

As I write this, the answer is University of Massachusetts.

If you plan to ask, ask quickly, as they are playing 13th -ranked Iowa State Sunday evening, so this might be moot even before it's published.

UMass is 7–0 this year, opening with a win over Central Connecticut, and their most recent win over Kent State, the team that just took down UCLA.
Massey has them ranked at number 54, which is 42 spots higher than his previous ranking. Massey has Iowa State as 12 point favorites so the streak is in jeopardy.

Their overall streak is nine games, seven this year and two last year. They were invited to the WNIT, promptly lost their first game, then went into the consolation round and won the next two games.

There are 10 teams:

  • Arizona
  • BYU
  • Cleveland State
  • Michigan
  • Nebraska
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Texas A & M
  • Wake Forest
  • FGCU

All tied for second place with seven consecutive wins. All of those teams except for Cleveland State have all their wins this current season. Cleveland State was invited to the WBI last year, and won that tournament giving them three consecutive wins at the end of last season.

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UPSETS IN RED 
MOST SCORES HAVE CLICKABLE LINKS TO A GAME STORY

No 10. Louisville 71 Colorado State 56

No. 13 Iowa State 76 UMass 71

No. 19 UCLA 73 St. John's 65 

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UCONN LINKS
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It's quiet out there. I hate the holiday lulls!!! 

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Message Boards

UConn Territory - The best UConn women's message board ever!!! 
College Fans Only - WCBB board where no holds are barred
Vol Nation - Tennessee women's basketball board
ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board
Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else

UCONN Information



I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

doggydaddy.UConn@gmail.com 
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