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GO UCONN!!!!!
Ok......exhale.....breath....breath.......
I hate these games. No other games gets my juices flowing and my nerves fraying like UConn/Tennessee. And this game didn't disappoint.
The Huskies looked like the best team in the country in the first quarter. They just didn't miss ran out to a 33-17 lead. Then, if you saw Geno's halftime interview, the refs turned the tide for the Lady Vols. UConn could only manage 7 points while Tennessee scored 19 to close the gap to 40-36. As Rebecca Lobo said just before the third quarter started, Geno never looked so angry and he never blames the refs during the game. He was livid and based on some of the calls, he had every right to be. Especially that third foul on Lou. Check out his interview.
Ya think Geno got the team fired up to start the second half???
Tennessee started the third quarter well and closed the game to 43-41 2 minutes in on a nice little tear drop layup by Jackson. But a big three pointer by Lou and a couple of baskets by Edwards expanted the lead to 9 points 50-41. After a Puckett three, it was the Lou show again with a nice drive and then another three pointer for an 11 point lead. UConn was back in control.
Harper called a time out and demanded her players play some defense specifically she said "11 gets nothing" referreing to Lou. They pressed and almost caused a turnover but before you can say "the French assassin" Lou hits a jumper. A three by Griffin gave the Huskies a 15 point lead and after a Darby return three pointer, Edwards his an amazing spin move to get the lead back to 14.
The Huskies ended the quarter on a 6-5 advantage for a 68-55 lead after three quarters of play. In what I would say was a dirty play, while both Edwards and Jackson were on the floor, Jackson intentionally pulled on Edwards leg for the foul call. Edwards was fortunate that she wasn't hurt. Oddly they called a double intentional. I have no idea what Edwards did on that play. Did she kick Jackson? To me it looked like a natural motion with her leg coming down and UNintentionally hitting Jackson. More refere bullshit trying to not play favorites.
Here is the video, you decide.
Sigh...did I mention I hate these games?
The fourth quarter was UConn trying to just hold on to the ball. Tennessee put a ton of pressure and did a great job making life difficult for the Huskies. But as a team that does a great job sharing the ball, every player on the floor scored with Lou hitting two baskets and Dorka hitting a big three. The Huskies but away the Lady Vols 84-67.
A great game for the UConn. Offensively they scored over their average points with 84 over their FG percentage shooting 55% and over their three point percentage shooting 8-14 for 57%. They also had 24 assists on 33 baskets. They showed the country how an offense should run. No one in college basketball this year does it better. Only the refs kept them from scoring 100 points in this game with their bad calls in the second quarter.
The Huskies only played 6 players with the starters playing with Nike leading the way with all 40 minutes. Edwards and Juhasz played 38 each, Griffin played 36 and Lou played 37. Patterson gave some good minutes in her short time on the court with 10 minutes.
UConn is always known for their conditioning and no game showed it more thatn this one.
The defense played pretty well too. They held Tennessee to under their averages in points per game with 67 and FG percentage with 39.4%.
The Huskies were led by a great game for Lou Lopez Senechal with 26 points. She went 11-16 from the field and 4-6 on threes. And every three seemed timely. Great game with the Tennessee defense focused on her.
Edwards showed her All-American skills, scoring 25 points on 9-17 shooting and 7-8 from the free throw line. She added 7 rebounds and 4 assists. She even defended Horston the last 5 minutes and held her to one basket.
I loved the game that Dorka played. She didn't shoot well going 4-11 from the field but she did hit two threes going 2-5 and she grabbed 6 rebounds, handed out 5 assists and her hands were everywhere with 3 steals.
Griffin had a solid game with 13 points going 6-8 from the field and a heartbreakiung three pointer going 1-1. She also had 6 rebounds and 2 steals. And played great 1-1 defense as always.
And Nika...oh Nika. Geno compared her to Jen Rizzoti in fiestyness and it fits. She is just amazing out there. She has so much energy and NEVER gets tired. She hit the opening points of the game with a three pointer and finished with 7 points. But it's never about scoring for her. She had 14 assists and 4 steals. That is so Nika.
Gotta give credit to Horston who scored 27 points for Tennessee. She will be a high draft choice and with her skill set she will be a terrific pro. And Tennessee only players Stricklen 5 minutes as a starter. Hollingshead had a terrific game with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block. I would start her against LSU on Monday. And start Jackson and Horston. That is not a bad team. Just not nearly as good as UConn.
And no rest for the weary. They take on the Big East's second place team, No. 21 Villanova on Sunday. Not much of a break with this quick turnaround. The Huskies went 1-1 against the Wildcats last year so you know they have a ton of confidence and Maddy Siegrist is a candidate for Big East Player of the Year. I think she is the favorite, although Edwards is taking a run at it. This game is at the XL Center. I hope they have a big crowd for this game. Fly home tonight and rest Friday and practice Saturday. But no rest for me. I have to turn out that UConn/Villanova Pregame Report before Sunday.
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Videos
Geno, Edwards and Lopez Senechal
Postgame Interviews
Sideline Intervews
Geno and Lopez Shenchal
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GAMES
UPSETS IN RED
My red highlighter for links isn't working.
Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Illinois were all victims up upsets.
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Straight from the Dog
I think UConn is going to get good news soon about Ducharme. She made the trip to Tennessee and didn't have her usual glasses on. I couldn't tell if she still had the earplugs in. I don't think she did. UConn really needs her. Especially coming up soon against Villanova and South Carolina.
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No. 2 Ohio State lost twice this week and should from to at best No. 7. Maybe lower. No. 6 Indiana should slide up right behing UConn at No. 5. But I wouldn't be surprised if they snuck past the Huskies. It's been hard to predict what the pollsters will come up with.
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Tennessee fans are not taking this loss well. But they are focusing their ire at Geno's halftime intervew, insulting his looks and his breath. You know for sure that when Harper goes balistic against the refs, they applaud and say she is sticking up for her players.
Good job Geno. Annoy those Orange Idiots.
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UCONN LINKS
Several links are pay sites. Sorry!
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Message Boards
UConn Territory - The best UConn women's message board ever!!!
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
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