Doggy's Doghouse 11/4/17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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

I usually post my blog the night before the day listed and then update it when there is relative information during the next day.

I just got tickets to today's game from my neighbor (Thanks Judy!!!) and will be able to see this version of the Huskies in person. 

Can't wait to see them!!!

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

Saturday's before the season starts are always quiet. College football is on the front burner, the NFL is in full swing, the NBA just started along with the NHL.

Now, sadly, I'm a UConn football fan and  NY Giant fan. I'm also a Knick fan and since the Whaler's moved I am no longer a hockey fan.

As you can see, it's a tough row to hoe for me in all these sports, although the Knicks are looking a little better.    

I need a winner in my sports fandom and thank god for UConn women's basketball. With one more exhibition to go, the season is just a week away. Unbelievable how quickly this spring and summer went.

As you all know, UConn matches up with last years Division II national champions who were undefeated last season. It will be a team that UConn will have to play hard against. They will take advantage of any mistakes the Huskies make.

That being said, I don't expect this to be a close game. UConn has way too much talent for even a great Div II team. But that is not what this game is for. Geno will want to see solid team play from his expected regular rotation of Nurse, Dangerfield, Samuelson, Collier, Williams and Stevens.

That's six pretty much known commodities. I think Geno would like to play a 7-8 player rotation so who will fill the one or two last spots? Hopefully that will become clearer as the game plays out.

I thought that Walker played well outside of missing a few chippies around the basket. I think she will clean that up. What Geno must have liked was her terrific defense. She looks to understand that defense will get her minutes.

Will either of the two sophomores off the bench make an impression enough to garner regular minutes when the season starts in earnest? Will any of the other freshman show Geno in this exhibition game that they are ready for the big time?

I think Geno will settle into the 7 player rotation for the Stanford game and the team will grow deeper as the season progresses.

Sunday's game will tell us more. Can't wait to watch it!!!      


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

  

It's great to see Ashland taking in the whole experience!!!

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

By David in Naples!!!!!

David has the night off!

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

UCONN LINKS

Letter from "solid citizen" Napheesa Collier special for National Team Coach Jim Fuller

UConn meets Division II champ Ashland Carl Adamec

Women's Hoops Plays Defending NCAA Division II Champs Sunday UConn Team Site

UConn Junior Katie Lou Samuelson Focused On Her defense Courant

WCBB LINKS

Transfers remain tricky but ever-growing part of women's basketball ESPN
Nebraska coach Amy Williams will coach against her sister Lincoln Journal Star
Bearcats roll in exhibition match Cincinnati News Journal
Oklahoma women's basketball: Sooners defeat Central Oklahoma OU Daily

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





 Statistical Sites

National Statistics

Rankings and RPI Sites

Last years sites (Updates soon)

 Realtime Daily RPI 

Massey Rankings and Matchups

Jeff Sagarin Basketball Ratings 

NCAA D1Women's RPI 

ESPN AP and Coaches Poll

ESPN Conference Standings

Warren Nolan RPI and SOS 

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

Videos

UConn Women replays

UCONN Information

2017-18 Online Media Guide

UConn 2017-2018 Roster

UConn 2017-2018 Statistics

UConn 2017-2018 Schedule 

I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

doggydaddy.UConn@gmail.com 

Doggy's Doghouse 11/3/17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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

In case you forgot how cute Logan is!!!!!!

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

A few thoughts on Ashland University, UConn's opponent for Sunday's second exhibition game.

- Ashland won the Div II national championship.
- Ashland was 37-0 last season,
- Last season they lost to Ohio State in their exhibition matchup 88-79.
- This season they lost to Ohio State in their exhibition matchup 110-80.
- They averaged 93 point per game last year giving up only 63
- They averaged 24.4 assists per game.

They were just a juggernaut last year. Their stats vs their peers were very UConn-esque.

But there is a huge jump from Div II to playing a Div I team. Especially one as talented as UConn.

UConn will look to build on that first exhibition game and prepare for Stanford at the same time. I would expect the rotation to tighten up a little before letting the starters sit for the fourth quarter.  

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

I just checked in on the South Carolina exhibition game against Coker College. The Cobras were 6-22 last season and 5-17 in the powerful South Atlantic conference. Hey, they lost to Carson-Newman by 24.  

You would think that SC would just hammer the Cobras. But the score was only 76-24. AT THE HALF!!!!!

How do you put up 40 shots in a half? That's one every 30 seconds including the time that Coker had the ball. Very Baylor like.

South Carolina slowed things down in the second half. I was happy to see that. I never see the point in running up a score against an overmatched opponent.

Then again, South Carolina played pretty poorly in that second half only outscoring Coker 40-32 the final 20 minutes.

      Score by Period

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
COKE	6	18	16	16	56
SC	42	34	20	18	114

  

I'm sure the fans at Cockytalk are having a ball talking about the two halves.

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

By David in Naples!!!!!

The season continues Sunday at 1pm vs Ashland. Here are some thoughts on possible things to watch for.

1. Much of the debate this pre-season has been who starts - Crystal or Z. Watch for Geno to give both a ton of time on the court TOGETHER. That pick and roll with those two is deadly. Z can sub for Gabby, Pheesa or Lou so plenty of game time available.
2. UConn had 12 blocked shots vs Ft. Hays, 4 each for Gabby, Napheesa and Z. Who gets the most this game?
3. Lou was stone cold from 3 range last game (1-6).  I bet she is mad...
4. Crystal had 7 assists and could have had 10. Watch for double digits this game.
5. Gabby had an "off" game with only 9 points on 4-9 shooting & 0 steals. I bet she is madder than Lou...
6. Plugging Crystal in for Saniya in the starting lineup lets everyone  play the same defensive position as last season. The defense is already in mid-season form. Check out how often they switch both on and off the ball. And, especially watch for them to trap just over mid-court...!!
7. Shot distribution last game for the starters was 11, 10, 10, 9 and 5 for Crystal. Talk about balance...

Enjoy..!!

P.S. - #8 - Katie Lou played 31 minutes last game. Highest of anyone. Watch for her to get 25-27 and then sit....

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

UCONN LINKS

UConn's Auriemma turns talk-show host in new podcast NY Daily News

From Breanna Stewart To Sue Bird, UConn's Female athletes inspire and unity Jeff Jacobs

Women's basketball A-listers weigh in on Breanna Stewart's essay Register

South Carolina will not repeat as national champs, AP preseason poll says The State

Auriemma has plenty to say on ESPN appearance The Record Journal

UConn's Williams glad migraine issues are behind her Jim Fuller 

WCBB LINKS

McGraw’s No. 6 Irish reloading for another Final Four run Fox News

OSU women's basketball: Versatile McWilliams ready to lead Beavers Corvallis Times

Gonzaga women hit the boards ahead of Sunday’s exhibition The Spokesman Review
Gamecocks women’s basketball hosts Coker in exhibition game ABC Columbia

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





 Statistical Sites

National Statistics

Rankings and RPI Sites

Last years sites (Updates soon)

 Realtime Daily RPI 

Massey Rankings and Matchups

Jeff Sagarin Basketball Ratings 

NCAA D1Women's RPI 

ESPN AP and Coaches Poll

ESPN Conference Standings

Warren Nolan RPI and SOS 

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

Videos

UConn Women replays

UCONN Information

2017-18 Online Media Guide

UConn 2017-2018 Roster

UConn 2017-2018 Statistics

UConn 2017-2018 Schedule 

I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

doggydaddy.UConn@gmail.com 

Doggy's Doghouse 11/2/17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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

For those who didn't see the feed of the UConn/Fort Hays State game, enjoy the highlights!!!!

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

Here is Geno's 18 minutes post game presser. Always interesting!!!!

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

Last video - Enjoy the comments from the players!!! 

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

By David in Naples!!!!!

Great game for the start of the season. UConn crushes Ft. Hays in an exhibition match that had many highlights and only a few items that need to be corrected. Here are five positives to give fans their Huskies' fix:

1. Azura lives up to her hype. In only 16 minutes, she scores 15 points, grabs 7 rebounds, blocks 4 shots, deals 3 assists and has 1 steal.
2. Collier played like the she always does, 7-10 from the field, 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 4 assists, 3 steals and only 1 turnover.
3. Crystal started and probably cemented that 5th spot. She had 7 assists vs only 2 turnovers, 8 points on 3-5 shooting, made 2 of 4 three point shots and played good defense.
4. UConn had 27 assists on 36 baskets, including 9 players with at least 1 assist. Nobody is greedy.
5. More blocked shots (12) than turnovers (9).
6. Kia Nurse made 5 of 7 from the three point arc. Some weren't pretty, but they went in. 

A few stats last night that need improvement:

1. Lou 1-6 from three range and Z went 0-4.
2. The puppies (freshman huskies) went 2-12, but at least the shot selection was good.
3. Napheesa missed 2 of her 3 free throws. Overall, the team went 2-5 or 40%.
4. Lou played 31 minutes despite appearing to twist her ankle early in the game. Too many minutes for her. (IMO)
5. Molly and Kyla played 21 minutes, only 2 points and 3 rebounds.

Overall, a great effort for the Huskies. Look for improvement on Sunday.

Go Huskies..!!

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

UCONN LINKS

UConn Women No. 1 in AP Preseason Poll SI

Kia Nurse leads UConn women’s basketball in exhibition win Sportz Edge

UConn Notebook: Collier, Samuelson Reflect On USA Basketball Courant

Women’s Basketball: No. 1 UConn impresses in first exhibition win Daily Campus

Notebook: UConn Women’s Basketball Runs Over Fort Hays State SB Nation

Stevens impresses in Huskies exhibition opener Carl Adamec

Auriemma, former teammates rally behind Stewart Carl  Adamec

UConn unanimous No. 1 in AP preseason poll Carl Adamec

UConn's Williams glad migraine issues are behind him Jim Fuller

Would UConn's Geno Auriemma be OK with one of his players took a knee? Jim Fuller
Tiger women fall in exhibition matchup at UConn Hays Post

WCBB LINKS

 Rhode Island guard prospect picks Ohio State The Columbus Dispatch 

Gamecocks women’s basketball hosts Coker in exhibition game ABC Columbia
Auriemma thinks Pitino should get another chance to coach Fox Sports
'Mega-learning': 4 things Syracuse women's basketball Post-Standard
Stephanie Mavunga hopes to cook up victories for Ohio State The Lantern

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





 Statistical Sites

National Statistics

Rankings and RPI Sites

Last years sites (Updates soon)

 Realtime Daily RPI 

Massey Rankings and Matchups

Jeff Sagarin Basketball Ratings 

NCAA D1Women's RPI 

ESPN AP and Coaches Poll

ESPN Conference Standings

Warren Nolan RPI and SOS 

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

Videos

UConn Women replays

UCONN Information

2017-18 Online Media Guide

UConn 2017-2018 Roster

UConn 2017-2018 Statistics

UConn 2017-2018 Schedule 

I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

doggydaddy.UConn@gmail.com 

Doggy's Doghouse 11/1/17

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

Bowling night so I only saw the first have online. Typical first exhibition game. Most players were off on their outside shots. Plenty of missed plays and poor execution.

If you want to read about what the fans think, go to the UConn site. Plenty of player trashing there. You won't find that here. I don't play that game.

I hope to see the second exhibition game in full and give more of my thoughts on the team coming into the first game.

Geno on Azurà Stevens 

"She played pretty well. It was her first game she didn't shoot great from the perimeter you know? But she's anxious you can tell. She gives us a different presence at both ends of the floor, on defense and offense. We saw a little bit of everything today. I'm happy for her. I think she is going to be really, really good for us."

Geno on Katie Lou and getting those 'easy' baskets 

"Whenever we play, one of their [the other team's] focal point is 'how do we guard Lou.' So its not easy to get a lot of open looks. Lou has to work really hard to get those. The more we can get her out in the open floor the better."

Geno on the new players

"Our next game we play is Sunday and as the games go on they get a little bit better. The only negative of trying to play a lot of players is that your offense suffers. You cant possibly run good offense and get great shots every time down the floor."

Katie Lou Samuelson (Guard/Forward)
On adding new players, especially Azura Stevens:

"We're adding some great players, all the way to Z, all the freshmen, they're really talented. The younger guys definitely have a longer way to go than Z does, but having Z out there has been amazing. She probably couldn't have played better, especially on defense."

Kia Nurse (Guard) On who played well tonight:

"I think we had a lot of contributions from a lot of different people. I think Pheesa [Napheesa Collier] was very good on defense, her ability to get in the lane and block shots and help us out, and then obviously knock down shots on the offensive end. I think Z [Azura Stevens] came alive tonight, I think she did a really good job on both ends of the floor for us, so that was exciting to see."

Azura Stevens (Forward/Guard)
On the difference between playing and practicing:

"I think it just adds another level of pressure, but you kind of force yourself to get it right because it's in a game, you don't have a couple chances to do it over. I'm trying to have that mentality of playing hard on every single possession seems to work out in your favor."

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

Notre Dame transfer from Nebraska Jessica Shepard was granted her waiver request by the NCAA. 

I think all the coaches that accept transfers should put in for waivers now since there is a new line that has been set.

From the NCAA site - Waiver: An action that sets aside an NCAA rule because a specific, extraordinary circumstance prevents you from meeting the rule. An NCAA school may file a waiver on your behalf; you cannot file a waiver for yourself. The school does not administer the waiver, the conference office or NCAA does. 

I wonder what was the extraordinary circumstance here? From her own words - “I had no issue with Nebraska,” Shepard said. “Ultimately it came down to what I wanted to accomplish in college and the next level. Nebraska just wasn’t the place to get me there.”

 

No issue with Nebraska? Then what the hell could the reason be? What a bunch of bullshit.

As my friend Cat says - WAIVERS FOR EVERYONE!!!

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

Great article in the UConn links section about Azura Stevens. And of course, what would a UConn article be without the prerequisite Geno quote.

“Azura should feel a lot better. This is what, our 12th practice? And she just blocked her second shot so she should feel better,”

Love it. That quote made me think about what Geno wants from Stevens this season. He says she is the best shooter on "the team, any team". That is saying something. But clearly he wants and needs her to be a post presence for this team to reach it's potential.

Stevens played primarily the wing at Duke although she played plenty of post defense. But not UConn defense. She has a ways to go to reach that level.

Interestingly enough, her last year at Duke (her sophomore season) statistically was something I'm sure Geno would take in a minute. In her 31.5 minutes per game, she scored 18.9 points and grabbed  9.6 rebounds.        

P.S. - She did have several blocks against Fort Hays State.

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

By David in Naples!!!!!

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

UCONN LINKS

UConn beats Fort Hays State UConn team site 

Geno Auriemma Sets High Bar for Azura Stevens UConn Blog

UConn women’s basketball looks like team to beat once again Sports Edge

UConn Women Pass First Tuneup Test; Defeat Fort Hays Courant

Notebook: UConn Women’s Basketball Runs Over Fort Hays UConnBlog

WCBB LINKS

As seniors McCarty and Atkins have risen, so has Texas Women's Hoops World
Notre Dame women could play up to a dozen ranked opponents ND Insider
Notre Dame women win on court, win with Shepard's addition ND Insider

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





 Statistical Sites

National Statistics

Rankings and RPI Sites

Last years sites (Updates soon)

 Realtime Daily RPI 

Massey Rankings and Matchups

Jeff Sagarin Basketball Ratings 

NCAA D1Women's RPI 

ESPN AP and Coaches Poll

ESPN Conference Standings

Warren Nolan RPI and SOS 

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

Videos

UConn Women replays

UCONN Information

2017-18 Online Media Guide

UConn 2017-2018 Roster

UConn 2017-2018 Statistics

UConn 2017-2018 Schedule 

I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:

doggydaddy.UConn@gmail.com