****************************************************
Even my daughter Elizabeth (mother to Logan and Barrett) is looking for my Blog!!!
GO UCONN!!!!!
***********************************************
****************************************************************
I've been annoyed by the slow starts UConn has had in several games over the years, but the Huskies jumped out to an early double digit lead behind a surprise scorer, Ice Brady. She hit the first basket of the game and had 6 points early.
UConn let USF get back into the game, as the Bulls closed the 10 point deficit to 4 points in the first quarter. UConn dominated the second and third quarters to build a 34 point lead going into the fourth quarter before settling behind the end of the bench with a 37 point win.
It ended up a laugher, not unusual in the series between these two teams that shared a conference for several seasons. There was the occasional close game, but this wasn't one of them.
Paige led the way with 22 points, going 9-10 from the field and 2-3 on threes. Her shooting percentage after 2 games is an over the top 73%. In this game, all she did was take good shots. She is always under control. She scored from deep, pull up jumpers, driving to the basket and post up moves. She has a complete offensive game. She also added 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
Ashlynn Shade was just outstanding in this game. She looks to be quicker and stronger than last season and was super-aggressive on defense. Just what Geno has been asking her to do. She was 7-10 from the field and 1-2 on threes for her 15 points. She added 2 steals. Seemed like more.
Sarah Strong had another solid games. She was 5-8 from the field and 1-4 on threes for her 13 points, the only other Husky in double digit scoring. Stron on the boards, she had 7 rebounds and she also had 2 steal. She had 4 assists. She has a great feel for the game.
Kaitly Chen did a really nice job running the offense, handing out a team leading 7 assists. She was 4-7 from the field for her 8 points. She did a great job when Paige was on the bench. I just love her pull up jumper. So deadly.
Ice baby!! Like I mentioned she started the scoring with a right handed finish at the basket. She ended up 4-5 for her 8 points. She even his a nice mid-range jumper. She had 2 nice assits and a steal. Brady is looking so much more confident. And her improved game gives UConn a solid 1-2 punch in the post.
And speaking of the Post, I'm really enjoying watching El Alfy play. She is really mobil for a big girl. When she gets a head of steam from the foul line, you can bet with will either score or get fouled. In this game she was 3-5 from the field for 6 points. So far she is struggling from the foul line. Hopefully that improves. She tied Strong in rebounding in 7 and that was in only 17 minutes.
KK is so much stronger this season. She grabbed away a few rebounds, snatching the ball from the opponent who had a grip on the ball first. I think she is still working out the kinks of her leg injury that kept her out of the exhibition game, but she will keep improving. She had 6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. More to come.
I'm really starting to appreciate Morgan Cheli. She only played 14 minutes but she always contributes when she is on the court. She hit her only two corner threes for her 6 points. She also added 4 rebounds, and an assists.
As a team, UConn shot 66.7% from the field for the game, 37.5% on threes. Shey had 20 assists and only 13 turners.
Up next is No. 15 North Carolina. I really hope to put together a game preview for this match up. I'm so busy, I'm struggling to find time to blog daily. Doing the best I can!!!
Brady, Bueckers and Shade Post Game
Jose Post Game
Game Highlights
More Game Highlights
Game Relay In One Hour
**************************************************
No. 12 Baylor vs Oregon (Late Game)
**************************************************
Straight from the Dog
Let's just hope that she recovers 100%. I'm sure she will attack the rehab like she does everything else!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------
It's early for an Uggy Award, but the numbers are the numbers and poor Arkansas-Pine Bluff had to take a beating from Ole Miss, who was coming off a tough 68-66 loss to No. 3 USC the game before.
The Golden Lions were held to 24 points, well below my Uggy threshold of 40 points.
They were 9-61 from the field. Yes, 14%. And 2-22 on threes. Their saving grace was their 4-4 from the foul line. Yeah, not much solace in that number. They added 18 turnovers.
Congrats to APB for the first UGGY of the 2024-25 season!!!
*******************************************************
A weird game between Harvard and ranked Indiana.
Harvard was up big early up 21-6 at one time. I was at the UConn game so not watching this game but I was sort of paying attention to score updates on occasion. I saw Harvard up early then they went on a scoreless streak for about three minutes (happens to the best of them) and Indiana took the lead. I figured it was over and stop paying attention. To my surprise they went back and forth then went to overtime and Harvard pulled out the overtime win.
Massey predicted margins are Bailey meaningful at this point in the season but they had Indiana as 20 point favorites. Understandably, Massey doesn't factor in the incoming classes but the top two scores for Harvard were both seniors so that doesn't explain it.
Is Indiana overrated, Harvard underrated or is it just one of those things that happens?
My alma mater, New Hampshire, upset Massachusetts.
Illinois beat ranked Florida State but this is only a mild upset. Yes Florida State was ranked and Illinois is not my recollection is that Illinois had a decent season last year, Winning the WBIT. Okay okay we're talking WBIT not an NCAA run but still.......
Harvard was up big early up 21-6 at one time. I was at the UConn game so not watching this game but I was sort of paying attention to score updates on occasion. I saw Harvard up early then they went on a scoreless streak for about three minutes (happens to the best of them) and Indiana took the lead. I figured it was over and stop paying attention. To my surprise they went back and forth then went to overtime and Harvard pulled out the overtime win.
Massey predicted margins are Bailey meaningful at this point in the season but they had Indiana as 20 point favorites. Understandably, Massey doesn't factor in the incoming classes but the top two scores for Harvard were both seniors so that doesn't explain it.
Is Indiana overrated, Harvard underrated or is it just one of those things that happens?
My alma mater, New Hampshire, upset Massachusetts.
Illinois beat ranked Florida State but this is only a mild upset. Yes Florida State was ranked and Illinois is not my recollection is that Illinois had a decent season last year, Winning the WBIT. Okay okay we're talking WBIT not an NCAA run but still.......
Net positives: UConn 101, USF 19.
Net positives/minutes played: Paige 23/28, Sarah 21/25, Ashlynn 17/29, Jana 10/17, KK 9/23, Ice 7/23, Kaitlyn 7/24, Morgan 6/15, Allie 3/10, Qadence -3/6.
Season: Paige 49/52, Sarah 45/50, Ashlynn 33/59, Jana 29/35, KK 21/44, Kaitlyn 18/44, Ice 10/45, Allie 9/25, Morgan 6/29, Qadence -1/17.
Great crowd, great student section. It sure looked like KK had more than one steal and Ashlynn had more than two. KK looked like Sarah ripping the ball out of people’s hands 3 times. Sarah is so quick with soft hands. She had another Lebronian rumble to the basket. Jana is so intense!! Ashlynn has improved so much (and she was darn good last year). Paige was the best player on the planet in the first half.
Massey has UConn by 11 vs. unc. Win that and Gampel will be insane for geno’s coronation (most wins in WCBB passing Tara) vs fdu. Can’t wait to see what the players will have planned.
********************************************************
By David in Naples
I did get a commitment that David will contribute again this season. Looking forward to his wonderful takes on the Huskies!!
********************************************************
UCONN LINKS
Some links are pay sites. Sorry!
********************************************************
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
I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:
No comments:
Post a Comment