Doggydaddy's Den: Doggy's Doghouse 4/7/2024

GO UCONN!!!!!

The Boys and their Dogs -

Under the UConn blanket!!

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She couldn't have committed a few months ago??? Just kidding. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision. She seems like a deliberate person on and off the court. I believe UConn had the third oer fourth ranked recruiting class in 2024. You can bet Sarah sends them right to the top. She brings to table something UConn hasn't had before that I can remember. A 6'2" forward that plays big and has a great outside game and passes like a point guard. I can see her starting or at least first off the bench.

I can't wait to see how Geno and the coaching staff molds her into the best player in the country. Count on it!!

TIme for some videos. Enjoy and just think of her on the court with Paige. Wow!!

Really good analysis of Strong's impact

and UConn in general

More analysis from "Just Listen"

Sarah Commits!!

Sarah Strong goes off while Geno watches!!

Geno and Dawn in attendance

Full Junior Season Highlights

From ESPN Article

SARAH STRONG'S PARENTS tell a story about when she was young and the family was on the way home from a professional game that her mother, Allison Feaster, had just played for Spanish EuroLeague team CB Alcobendas.

Late in the game, with her team down by three and little time on the clock, Feaster decided to take an open 3 in transition instead of going for what looked like an uncontested layup. She missed and Alcobendas went on to lose.

"You should have just taken the layup," the young Sarah said defiantly.

Her father, Danny Strong, and mother gave each other that look -- both astonished but slightly impressed. Sarah remembers her mom saying something to the effect of, "It's time to be quiet," but she proudly smiles retelling the memory.

"I always remind her that three is more than two," Allison said while laughing as she shared memories of Sarah's childhood and development far from their current home in North Carolina.

That young basketball mind grew up to be the No. 1 player in the class of 2024 and the last recruit in the 2024 ESPN Top 100 to commit. Most know her as the two-time 3X3 U18 World Cup gold medalist, the McDonald's All American Game co-MVP, Naismith High School Player of the Year, adidas Eurocamp MVP, Jordan Brand All-American, Nike Hoop Summit participant, two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina and two-time North Carolina Miss Basketball.

"Geno kind of scares me sometimes. He's really serious, but I also know that he cares about his players," Strong said, smiling. "Early on I thought it was going to just be basketball, but as we talked more and got to know each other better, I feel like he genuinely cares about his players. His sense of humor is different. Sometimes he's mad serious when he texts, no emojis or anything. And then sometimes he'll send a text 'heyyyyy' with a bunch of Y's and a smiley face."

Despite their dominance over the sport this century, Auriemma and UConn have not won a national championship since 2016. They have knocked on the door by returning to Final Fours, but have not brought home the title -- a standard that they created for themselves over the past 20-plus years.

Now, with star Paige Bueckers returning and Strong entering the program as a likely difference-maker, expectations are high for the world-traveled, soon-to-be freshman and her new program.

Read the article. It's worth it!

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Gotta love the full roster for 2024-25. There are three No. 1 recruits, two No. 4 recruits, two No. 5 recruits, and one No. 6 recruits. That's EIGHT Top 6 recruits on the roster. I don't believe UCOnn has had that in any season before this one.You can probably make a case that Jana El Alfy is a Top 10 recruit as is Morgan Cheli when the new 2024 rankings come out. She is sure to rise up in the rankings from her No. 18th spot.

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So, did you notice that Sarah Strong wore No. 21 in High School? And that the photoshopped picture of her in a UConn uniform has her wearing No. 21?

Well, we already have a No. 21 in Ines Bettencourt. A fan favorite, she didn't see a lot of minutes this season and I would bet even more next year. I'm sure you can see where I'm heading with this. I believe she already talked to Geno and Ines has decided to head to the portal and find a school where she can get minutes. A delightful young lady, I will wish her the best if that is what happens.

While I'm on the portal, will there be others? Maybe.

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Women's basketball recruiting class rankings

1. South Carolina - 3 five-stars
2. USC - 3 five-stars, 3 four-stars
3. UCLA - 3 five-stars
4. Duke - 2 five-stars, 1 four-star
5. Texas - 2 five-stars (both top-10 overall), 1 four-star
6. UConn - 2 five-stars
7. Michigan - 2 five-stars
8. Iowa - 4 four-stars
9. Maryland - 3 four-stars
10. Stanford - 3 four-stars

These rankings are prior to Strong committing to UConn. UConn will also have 3 five-star recruits. The question will be who's are better to get bragging rights for the best recruiting class of 2024.

South Carolina - No. 2 Joyce Edwards, No. 12 Madisen McDaniel, No. 26 Adhel Tac

USC - No. 6 Kennedy Smith, No. 23 Avery Howell, No. 28 Kayleigh Heckel, No. 47, No. 53, No. 89

UConn - No. 1 Sarah Strong, No. 4 Allie Ziebell, No. 18 Morgan Cheli

Pretty clear to me who has the No. 1 class. Unless you really like volume over quality.

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By PHIL

Milestone Watch

• Aaliyah Edwards had 24 points in the USC game! which brings her to a career total of 1833 points. She is in 16th place all time, and needs 17 points to tie Christyn Williams.

• Aaliyah Edwards now has 1012 rebounds with 6 against USC. She passed Gabby Williams to take over 7th place.

• Nika Mühl has 679 assists after her 8 assists in the USC game. She extends her record as the all-time leader in career assists

• Mühl is now the holder of:

o Single game assists record 15 (against NC State 20 November 2022) surpassing Paige Bueckers

o Single season assists record 284 (2022–23) surpassing Sue Bird’s 231

o Career assists record surpassing Moriah Jefferson

Paige Bueckers now has 837 points this season. She is now in 2nd place, behind only Maya Moore who had 868 in 2010–11.

• Geno now has 1213 wins.

• UConn now has 136 NCAA wins, more than any other school.

• UConn now starting a new Final Four streak

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SPIDER STATS

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.

Net positives: UConn 68, Iowa 67 (it happens about once a year in close games).

Net positives/minutes played: Aaliyah 21/33, KK 14/35, Nika 14/40, Paige 8/40, Ashlynn 6/37, Ice 4/15.

Stuelke 18/38, Clark 21/40.

The difference? UConn called for 18 fouls, Iowa for 9.

I thought UConn would lose if Q didn’t play due to exhaustion, but Iowa starters played more minutes than UConn starters!

What a great season despite insane injuries.

I know DoggyDaddy would have found a way to predict UConn over South Carolina, but I am afraid it would have been a beat down like some of our championship wins (Louisville, Syracuse).

I was wrong on the games but right on Sarah! And Kelli’s looks really good!

I hope Qadence stays, but I wonder after the way Geno didn’t use her.

Aaliyah and Nika went out strong, good luck and thanks!

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