DoggyDaddy's Dailies 10/10/16

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Logan - Nice and Clean after his bath!!! 

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UConn women have another nationally dominant team. The field hockey team is ranked No. 1 in the country.

They are 13-0, outscoring their opponents 63-11. They have also beaten  3 top-20 teams.

10 Virginia 8-0
15 BU 5-1
18 Stanford 2-1

Great performances and a good chance of bringing another national championship back to Storrs.

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It's not over till it's over!!!! But it's looking bad!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Looks like David took the day off!!!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)


Los Angeles Sparks 78 Minnesota Lynx 76

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

Nneka Ogwumike Los Angeles 19 points 9 rebounds
Kristi Toliver  Los Angeles 19 points
Maya Moore Minnesota 18 points 6 rebounds 3 assists
Sylvia Fowles Minnesota 18 points 13 rebounds
Lindsay Whalen  Minnesota 18 points 6 assists
Renee Montgomery Minnesota 3 assists 

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UCONN LINKS

WCBB LINKS

Monica Burich comeback nearly complete for CU women's basketball  Buff Zone
Kaela Webb Commits To Marquette Women’s Basketball SB Nation
Gonzaga Hoops Season Starts with Kraziness in the Kennel KFBB
Stanford gets verbal commitment from point guard Kiana Williams  ESPN
With Holmes gone, Martin is foes’ focus  The DPost

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

WNBA Finals: 4 Takeaways from Game 1  SB Nation
Alana Beard wasn't first option, but best one for Sparks  USA Today
Lynx Lose By Three Point to LA Sparks in Game 1 of the Finals AM 1240
Photos: Lynx lose to Sparks 78-76 in Game 1 of WNBA Finals Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Sparks edge Lynx in WNBA Finals opener Yahoo Sports
Beard's Jumper Lifts Sparks Over Lynx in Game 1 NY Times
Lynx lose Game 1 of WNBA finals on shot at the buzzer  Star Tribune

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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    
CockyTalk - The upstart South Carolina women's basketball board

ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board

                     Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 10/9/16

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Just a few links tonight. To make up for it, here is a new picture of Logan.

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One of my favorite former Husky had a terrific summer. Briana Pulido's mom gave me an update of the goings on with Polly. She gave me permission to share this info!

"Briana spent this past Summer traveling to Europe on a graduation trip. She recently visited Spain with some of our family. She's been working at a doctor's office and also shadowing at a physical therapy facility where she has been learning and assisting everyone. She will be taking classes in the Spring so that she can apply to either graduate school for physical therapy, or medical school. She's still trying to decide what route to take. She will be at UConn this coming week to attend First Night - as a spectator this time!"  

Remember this???

 

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It's not over till it's over!!!! But it's looking bad!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

A'ja Wilson, from South Carolina, was recently touted as a possible WCBB Player of the Year. She and South Carolina should be very good this season. You know who else might be great this season? Napheesa Collier. I'm not calling for Collier to be POY. But, I would like to remind fans that just a year ago last summer, Napheesa played on the same team as Wilson, against the same opponents, and outplayed her. Remember Russia in July of 2015...?

Points - Wilson over Collier, 128 to 89
Rebounds - Collier over Wilson, 65 to 59
Shooting % - Collier over Wilson, 54% to 49%
Free throw % - Collier over Wilson, 80% to 56%
Turnovers - Collier over Wilson, 8 to 22
Blocks - Wilson slightly, 8 to 5
3 point shots made - Collier over Wilson 3 to 0

As a freshman, Napheesa Collier played a role on the Huskies last season, while sophomore A'ja Wilson was the leading scorer for South Carolina. With Tiffany Mitchell graduated, Wilson with be the #1 target of every defense. She took 162 free throws last year. Look for that to double this season. In order for A'ja to be "Stewie level great", she will have to carry her team despite the pressure, the double teams and the fouling. With Stewie, Mo and Morgan gone, Napheesa can expand her game while the spotlight is on Katie Lou, Kia, Gabby and the rookie sensation, Crystal. Watch and see...

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)


Los Angeles Sparks @ Minnesota Lynx
Sunday, October 9th @ 3:00

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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UCONN LINKS

UConn schedules homecoming game for Nurse Carl Adamec

WCBB LINKS

Chamique Holdsclaw’s film continues to inspire Knoxville News Sentinel
FGCU Women Picked to Finish 1st in A-Sun by Media, 2nd by Coaches  Naples Herald
Restore Lady Vols to honor Summitt Knoxville News Sentinel
Marquette Madness 2016 Happened, And It Was Fine  SB Nation

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

Lynx have sights on consecutive WNBA championships Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Candace Parker’s Journey To The Finals  WNBA
Previewing the WNBA Finals: No shortage of stars here  Excelle Sports

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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    
CockyTalk - The upstart South Carolina women's basketball board

ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board

                     Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 10/8/16

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On to another question I posed in regards to the upcoming UConn women's season.

"Word is Williams had made a another big jump in her skill level this off season. How will that translate in game production?" 

Last season worked on the most obvious issue in her game from her freshman season. Her horrible FT shooting. She was at 46.2%. With hard work she was able to bring that up to a more than respectable 74.1%. A fantastic improvement that just show was you can do when you practice practice practice!!!

So, where do we think she improved with the same attention to her weaknesses as she did with her FT shooting? My guess is she worked on her perimeter game. She did take more outside shots than her freshman year and showed more confidence when taking them. I don't know her percentage on those shots, but it was much improved. I would guess she took the next step and worked hard on taking her game beyond the three point arc. She didn't take ONE three pointer last year. I would expect that to change. UConn needs to replace the outside threats that graduated and both Williams and Collier will have to help in that regard.

How will that translate into game production? Well, just increasing her minutes from the 18.8 she played last year to 22-25 MPG will get her PPG to double digits. With the big three gone, she will be expected to take and make more shots. Her 63% FG shooting was outstanding and it was not  fluke as it duplicated her percentage from her freshman year. If she can continue to keep up that high percentage and take her game outside, it will open up driving lanes for her as well. All that means is more points for her. I'm guessing 13-15 ppg.

Her jumping jack ability to rebound will also allow her to have more double-doubles as the season progresses. Look for her rebounding productions to increase by a couple per game and that would get her close to 8 per game.

Gabby should make that big jump in leadership and more accountability to help replace the big three. I can see an AA type breakout season for her. And UConn will need it!!!               

    

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It's not over till it's over!!!! But it's looking bad!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Saniya Chong returns this season for her Senior year with the Huskies. Perhaps because expectations were so high, her results from last year have been labeled "disappointing." Keeping in mind her painful injury, her career low in games (33), minutes (410), made threes (21), assists (34) and points (123) are explainable. Still, her three year numbers show how talented this point guard really can be. Consider:

1. Games - Saniya has played in 110 games for UConn, starting 9. Prior to missing 5 games last year, Chong had played in every game except 2.

2. Minutes - Last year's 410 minutes was dramatically lower than sophomore's 723 and freshman's 665. Still, Saniya brings 1,800 minutes of experience to the Huskies.

3. Three point shots - Chong's career average for 3 pt shots is 35% or 85-243. Overall, her shooting average is 44.1% or 177-401.

4. Assists vs turnovers - Saniya has always had a great assist to turnover ratio. Prior to last year it was 1.97, but her injury kept Saniya down to only 34 assists and 22 to's. For all three years, she has 168 assists and 102 turnovers. That is a 1.65 ratio.

5. Free throws - Always a great free throw shooter, Chong's career average is 80.8% on 80-99 shooting.

6. Points - Once again, last year's 123 points were lower than the previous two seasons at 183 and 213 points. Her career total of 519 should improve this year.

When healthy, Saniya is a great ball handler and good three point shot. Whether she can start for Geno and stay in the starting lineup remains to be seen. Worse case, she can be a reliable sub giving Geno senior leadership off the bench, averaging 15-17 minutes per game. Watch for Saniya to surprise this season and have her best season at UConn.  

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)


Los Angeles Sparks @ Minnesota Lynx
Sunday, October 9th @ 3:00

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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UCONN LINKS

Rita Williams Inducted Into Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame UConnHuskies
Auriemma To Voters: Get In The Game Hartford Courant
Swin Cash On The Possibility of Hosting Good Morning America The Source
In her own words: Swin Cash talks about retirement and Black Lives Matter Excelle Sports

WCBB LINKS

NCAA announces penalties for Ole Miss women’s basketball  Hoop Feed
Rutgers women's basketball loses Scaife for season Asbury Park Press
Gophers men's and women's hoops open scrimmage set for Oct. 22 Minnesota Star Tribune
WVU women facing injury issues yet again Times West Virginia
Women's Basketball: Notebook — Iowa State to go point guard by committee Aimes Tribune
Women's Basketball: Johnson motivated, excited for senior season Aimes Tribune

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

Bench Spark or Missing Lynx: An Under The Radar Matchup That Could Decide The WNBA Finals WNBA
WNBA finals: What you need to know American Republic
New WNBA Playoff Format Pays Off KSTP
The Emergence of Natasha Howard Canis Hoopus
For Sue Bird, ‘Good to be Myself Again’ After Resurgent Season WNBA
Sparks take some tips from Magic Johnson going into the WNBA Finals LA Times
Lynx take aim at history, fourth WNBA title ESPN
WNBA Finals preview: Can a founding stalwart dethrone the defending champs? MSN
Millennials Making A Difference- Alysha Clark Wilson Post
Lynx prepare for WNBA Finals against Los Angeles The Dixon Press
WNBA Playoff Glance Gillette News Record

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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    
CockyTalk - The upstart South Carolina women's basketball board

ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board

                     Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else

DoggyDaddy's Dailies 10/7/16

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Would you believe that someone complained about me posting pictures of Logan? That I should give a warning that I have family photos in the blog. 

Come on.....he is so cute, I can't believe anyone would complain.

    

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It's not over till it's over!!!! But it's looking bad!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

UConn always plays good, tight defense and makes opponents work hard to get shots. Last season, opponents had 784 turnovers versus 728 made shots from the field. The Huskies defense was so smothering that the bad guys only shot 33.2% for the season. UConn, on the other hand, made 53% of their field goals. Clearly opponents don't play defense as well as UConn.

But what about free throws, when there is no defense? The shooter can take her time, relax and shoot without a defender in her face. Opponents still only shot 67.5% from the charity stripe. They made 172 of 255 tries. In sharp contrast, the Huskies made 80% of their free throws last season. Given that free throws can be practiced endlessly every day, how can UConn be so much better? Two simple answers. First, UConn emphasizes making free throws. Look at the improvement in Gabby Williams from her freshman year to this past season. She went from 46% to 75%.  The second part of the difference is fatigue. The Huskies are in better shape and don't tire as much in games. Tired players lose their legs, their form and their concentration. All three are key in free throw and field goal shooting. 

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)


Los Angeles Sparks @ Minnesota Lynx
Sunday, October 9th @ 3:00

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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UCONN LINKS

Nada.....Nothin.....Zippo....Zilch

WCBB LINKS

Texas A&M women's basketball team gets commitment from Georgia forward The Eagle
New London's Pagan picks Stony Brook The Day
Kentucky’s Matthew Mitchell explains what he’s telling recruits Kentucky.com
Tulane's Stockton signs contract extension Daily Herald
OU's Kaylee Jensen, OU duo receives All-Big 12 honorable mentions Tulsa World
4 Lady Bears Garner Preseason Big 12 Recognition Baylor Bears
 Brookwood’s N’dea Jones commits to Texas A&M women’s basketball  Gwinneth

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

WNBA Finals: Candace Parker Close to Making a Nine Year Quest into Glory Road womhoops
Sparks Are In WNBA Finals Culver City Observer
Maya Moore vs. Candace Parker: Who is truly the best?  SB Nation
Lynx Begin Preparations for Finals Matchup with Los Angeles KSTP
Lynx-Sparks WNBA Finals matchup exactly what we hoped for ABC News
The Finals | Minnesota vs. Los Angeles | Series Preview WNBA
Is This the Best Lynx Team Ever? WNBA
WNBA Finals: Minnesota Lynx, vs LA Sparks, The Long Awaited Matchup Sir Charles
WNBA Finals primer: How do Lynx, Sparks match up?  WNBA

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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    
CockyTalk - The upstart South Carolina women's basketball board

ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board

                     Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else

DoggyDaddy Dailies 10/6/16

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Wednesday Nite Bowling has Started!!!

I had a good night....179, 189, 223.

But I get home late, so only David's numbers and some links!

     

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It's not over till it's over!!!! But it's looking bad!

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By David in Naples!!!!!

Geno and his staff teach smart basketball to their players. One of the areas Geno wants players to be smart with, is fouls. For example, smart fouls often happen with aggressive defense, shoot blocking and trying to take a charge in the lane. Last season, UConn had 421 personal fouls or 11 per game. While some were dumb fouls, often by defenders not moving their feet or in the wrong position, far more were smart fouls. The proof is in two parts. First, not a single player fouled out of any game last season. Zero, zip, nada.  Secondly, despite 421 fouls, opponents took only 255 free throws. That is a free throw every 1.65 fouls. 

In sharp contrast, the Huskies took 566 free throws when fouled 580 times..!  That is almost a free throw every time they were fouled. Geno always preaches, don't foul the shooter. UConn shoots almost 15 free throws per game vs opponents under 7. And they make more of those extra shots, 80% vs 67.5%. The results was the Huskies scored 7.4 points more than opponents at the free throw line, every game. Not a good idea to spot UConn extra points from the charity stripe.

In summary, UConn fouls less (421 vs 580), shoots more free throws (566 vs 255) and makes a higher percentage from the line (80% vs 67.5%). Sounds like part of winning formula. Smart..!

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Scores (links in the WNBA link section)

Top Performers/UConn Performers (bold)

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UCONN LINKS

Nada.....Nothin.....Zippo....Zilch

WCBB LINKS

4 Lady Bears Garner Preseason Big 12 Recognition Baylor Bears
Husker's Miles, Williams optimistic heading into basketball season NBC Nebraska
Terps Host Maryland Basketball Tip-Off Dinner University of Maryland
Amy Williams tries to get Huskers 'comfortable being uncomfortable' Omaha.Com
Ohio State Women’s Basketball: Day One The Buckeye Battle Cry
Utah Sports Hall of Fame class of 2016 announced Salt Lake Tribune
King Tabbed Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year West Virginia Team Site
Injured KU women's basketball forward Tyler Johnson 'definitely' expects 2016-17 return Capital Journal
Coast duo expected to help Mississippi State women make championship run Sun Herald
Women’s Basketball Holds Spirited First Practice of 2016-17 Louisville Team Site
Knee surgery to sideline Blackburn for 2016-17 season Freemont Tribune
Nash And Taylor Tabbed To C-USA Preseason Team UTEP
Aggie women's basketball team has plenty to replace Bryan College
Schaefer hopes older equals better for MSU women  The Dispatch
Maryland women’s basketball is back, and the Terps are ahead of the curve Testudo Times
How Lady Vols will manage practice with limited roster The Tennessean

WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS

WNBA: Lynx to host Los Angeles in Game One Branerd Dispatch
Before the Finals, a bit of everything Hoop ISM
'Around the Rim' podcast: WNBA Finals preview ESPN
Candace Parker leads Los Angeles Sparks to WNBA Finals to face Lynx The Inscriber
Takeaways from Game 4 of Sky-Sparks Excelle Sports
WNBA players should be applauded for taking a stand on issues ABC News
Inside The W with Michelle Smith WNBA
Lynx to Host Skyway Breakfast for WNBA Finals; Twins Purchase Tickets for Fans KSTP

      *******************************************  

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    
CockyTalk - The upstart South Carolina women's basketball board

ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board

                     Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else