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Even my daughter (mother to Logan and Barrett) is looking for my Blog!!!
GO UCONN!!!!!
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Yes, this poor boy looks like I feel. Probably most of the UConn fans feel this way too.
It was a shock to the system. I predicted a big win. And based on everything I've seen from both teams (only one game each) and past history I was very confident coming in. And when they pulled out to a nine point lead at the end of the first quarter I was looking for the typical UConn team extending the lead.
Boy, was I wrong. Credit to NC State. They played great. They played to their strengths and they outplayed UConn. Period. Saniya Rivers played out of her...well....scoring 33 points. Wow. However.....
I can't remember a UConn team playing such poor defense. 92 points?? Crazy. To an unranked team (soon to be ranked), Insane.
Players you expected to contribute just didn't. Azzi Fudd was a preseason this and that. And she just looked out of it. She played 35 minutes, so Geno still wanted her in there but 1-7 on threes is a killer. And she only had 2 rebounds, 2 assists. The Huskies need a lot more from her.
The limited minutes that Griffin could play didn't help. She played only 13 minutes and while productive while in there, UConn really missed her. Hopefully ready for more minutes on Thursday.
KK oh KK, what the heck happened. That confident young lady just seemed to be overwhelmed by the situation. Geno clearly didn't trust her on the court as she only played 12 minutes. Big Time basketball in a Big Time environment is difficult for freshmen. She was no exception.
Nika had a good first half but there were several passes that didn't turn into baskets. UConn really struggled finishing around the basket.
Caroline really struggled in this game. After a promising preseason and first game, she just wasn't able to do anything against the NC State defense. Geno recognized that and limited her minutes to 14.
Aaliyah did end up scoring 21 points but the Huskies needed more from her on the boards. UConn is a little small until Brady is up to speed and Patterson can come back. She needed to dominate and didn't come close. Her four turnovers were killers.
Q was really good. For a freshmen in this environment, she really came through for most of the game. She did hesitate late to take her shot but in her 23 minutes she scored 14 points on 4-8 three point shooting. She just looked like a player. And looks to have earned Geno's trust.
Thank goodness for Paige. She showed that she is still that player that UConn can count on. But clearly she couldn't do it by herself. She played 30 minutes, was 11-18 from the field, 2-3 on threes, 3-4 from the FT line. Her three turnovers were painful. But where would have UConn been without her?
I'm not one to be too critical, especially in the second game of the season. I'm sure Geno has plenty to say to the team and will reflect on what he could have done better. Will we see lineup changes? He's done it before.
I'm looking forward to the next game.....and.....
Up next is No. 14 Maryland who had an even worse loss Sunday. More on that game later.
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** Designates Upset
Sunday, 11/12
Scores and Links
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Top 2024 recruit Sarah Strong is in the building here at Carmichael as UNC leads Davidson 42-31 in the third quarter.
— Mitchell Northam (@primetimeMitch) November 13, 2023
She’s the daughter of former WNBA player Allie Feaster and former NC State player Danny Strong. #ncaaW pic.twitter.com/sNSgZwxYqO
No word from Strong buts she was at UNC this weekend. Not going to the UConn game when they were in her home state doesn't bode well. I now believe she is not coming to the Huskies. Bummer.
I'm still wondering why Geno hasn't talked about the two signed recruits yet.
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Straight from the Dog
I think it's time I retire from reading UConn message boards. It's way too depressing after a loss. Some fans have actually given up on the season. Some want to bench everyone.
So many Arm Chair Coaches out there thinking they know more than Geno. It's kinda nuts.
My old friend Pinotbear said it best - "Oh, good Lord. Two games into the season, one loss, at a very good team's home court, in front of a national audience and lively home crowd, and we're tossing babies, bath water, and our cookies. Relax. The best minds in the game - far better than ours - and, far more knowledgeable about these players, both collectively and individually, will chart the path forward. It may work, it may not, but, the over-reaction to a game on November 12, with a team loaded with players returning from injury and players new to this level of the game, is kinda disappointing."
The season is young, the team is talented and UConn has the best coaching. Looking forward to Maryland game.
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Speaking of Maryland, I watched South Carolina take them to the wood shed Sunday. It was a close game after one quarter, but after that the Gamecocks just hammered them on the boards and outplayed them in every facet of the game.
The Terps start 5 guards and that will only work for a little while against a big team like South Carolina.
The final of 114-76 doesn't do the dominance of South Carolina over Maryland justice.
The Terps come to Storrs on Thursday and it will be interesing to see which team recovers from a tough loss. My money is on UConn.
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By PHIL
Assessing Duke and Tennessee
Assessing the relative strength of teams is always a challenging task, especially when the two teams have not played each other. This challenge is especially tough early in the season, when there have only been a handful of games.
I've seen fans explain in detail why it's problematic to compare team A to team B by looking at how each of them did against team C. I don't disagree with the challenges, but when there isn't much else, it is something to look at.
Tennessee played the USA team on 5 November, and the USA team prevailed 95-59, for a 36 point margin.
Duke played the USA team on 12 November, with the USA team winning 87-58, for a 29 point margin.
I note that Griner only played two minutes today; I haven't looked closely at the overall roster to see if there are important roster differences for the USA team between the two games.
Does the fact that Duke played the USA team seven points closer than Tennessee mean that Duke is seven points better than Tennessee? Nope I'm not going to suggest that the math can be done that finely.
Milestone watch
• Aaliyah Edwards had 1232 career points after the Dayton game. She scored 21 in the NC State game. Her 1254 passes Kris Lamb and Megan Walker. She is now 41st.
• Nika Mühl had 438 assists after the Dayton game. She recorded 6 in the NC State game. She passed Kia Nurse for 20th place.
• Nika Mühl had 438 assists after the Dayton game. She recorded 6 in the NC State game. She passed Kia Nurse for 20th place.
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Plus one for every assist block point rebound and steal. I don’t add extra for offensive rebounds as it already seems to favor the bigs. Minus one for every missed shot (2, 3 or foul), turnover or foul committed.
Yikes! The numbers tell the story. NC State 99, UConn 57.
Totals: Paige 19, Aaliyah 14, Qadence 11, Nika 8, Aubrey 5, KK 1, Azzi -1, Caroline -3, Ice -3. Saniya Rivers 40.
Per minute: Paige .63, Qadence .48, Aaliyah .42, Aubrey .38, Nika .24, KK .08, Azzi -.03, Caroline -.21, Ice -.43.
Season totals: Aaliyah 40, Paige 31, Nika 25, Aubrey 21, Qadence 21, KK 18, Azzi 9, Ashlynn 6, Caroline 6, Amari 0, Ines -1, Ice -4.
Season per minute: Aubrey .75, Aaliyah .69, Paige .61, KK .58, Qadence .54, Nika .46, Ashlynn .38, Caroline .18, Azzi .15, Amari 0, Ines -.17, Ice -.24.
Paige was great. Qadence is fearless. I wonder if Geno and Paige can get Azzi on track?
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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!!!
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Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else
UCONN Information
UConn 2023-2024 Statistics (updated after 1st game)
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