Doggydaddy's UConn vs Duke game preview

[HuskyNan]

The formatting needs to be adjusted for the stats - I'll fix it this afternoon. Enjoy doggydaddy's article!

 

[msf22b]

Agree DD, Fine work.

 

[Tonyc]

As always doggy great job.

I keep repeating myself. This UConn team is one of the very best in WCBB history. They remind me of TASS with Diana only bigger and stronger. Way to many scorers, shooters(there is a difference in shooters and scorers) who have so many qualities that make them what they are as a team. UConns explosiveness is unmatched this season. Duke is very good but imo don't have the ability to run over UConn. UConn has the ability to run over anybody. IMO Duke and ND are number 2&3 and maybe not in that order we will see. The question is going to be can Duke keep it close and for how long. Rust from the time off and especially for KML and Tuck will be a factor. I cant see Duke coming within 20pts of UConn barring injuries and foul trouble. With a full roster and with Stokes, BB and Saniya getting a lot of minutes the past few weeks UConn is even tuffer. They are experienced in big games and under pressure situations. There is no longer any question marks for UConn as to how the non starters will perform we now know that. If UConn comes out with their knock out punch early its going to be a very boring game. UConn this season is a steam roller in high gear. Nothing can get in their way. I know some of you are thinking what about ND? UConn dosnt commit many fouls this season so ND will not go to the line all night and either will any other team. Nothing can get in their way this season if they stay healthy. It doesn't matter who UConn plays either. They have relentless execution on both sides of the ball. IMO I don't see this game any different then any other game UConn has played. Duke has to find a way to slow down UConn and defend them. I don't think they have players to do that. It comes down to Dukes defense and for them to defend UConn is almost impossible as it is for any team. With KML and Tuck back I don't think we see to many zone defenses anymore either. When all the hype settles the end result will be the same. I posted this in another thread but the biggest difference between UConn and everybody else is...there are 2 types of people in this world...those who think they can...and those who think they can't...and their both right.

 

[msf22b]

Tony: I really like this team and I think you are spot on: It's hard to imagine how they can be beat.
But I'm sure that's what 'Bama thought last week as well.

I started fantasizing what might go wrong and I really had a hard time coming up with anything that made much sense.
So I'm not going to make a hypothetical list and incur the wrath of the board.

The thing is: we still haven't seen complete games from Bria, Stewie, or Morgan.

In the last game for example, Bria hit a ton of threes but was quiet at the beginning and was not as agressive in going to the hoop as in some of the previous games. Suppose we get a game on Tuesday in which she is relentless to the hoop and is hitting most of her 3's.
Turn out the lights.

Stewie seems like she is developing the bad habit of from time to time playing to the level of the competition, something that makes Geno crazy.
But in her recent interview she sure showed a lot of enthusiasm for this game. Watch out opponents!

And Morgan can beat you in so many ways; I loved her D on McBride last final 4.

And that's not even mentioning Kaleena, Stef, Mo (who has been a revelation as I predicted) Chong, Banks and Stokes.

Any five of which alone might beat Duke or anyone else.

Scary.

i can't wait.

 

[rvwsleep]

Thank You DD. Pithy and accurate. A rare combination. Formulating my final score prediction already. Can't wait until the 17th

 

[doggydaddy]

I hope Dolson will forgive me. I had her stats wrong.

14.5 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 apg.

Nan, please fix when you can.

 

[Icebear]

The greatest danger to greatness is always hubris.

 

[EricLA]

Loved seeing this...

Starting lineup - Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.

Woohoo!!

Nice write up DD!

 

[Kibitzer]

I keep repeating myself.

Tony, I find this admission to be impossible to believe!

 

[Tonyc]

msf I have thought of a way UConn could lose....if they forget to show up they will forfeit. Other then that I cant think of anyway they lose.

 

[Wonkster]

The greatest danger to greatness is always hubris.

Don't let Hugh do the bris

He's very dangerous ...

 

[JoePgh]

I was not aware that UConn was 50th or so in 3-point percentage (at 35%) and Duke was #4 at 43%. Of course, that is with KML playing only about 20 minutes of the entire season to date, and making (as I recall) only one 3-point shot at the end of the first half of the Stanford game. I don't think she will rain down 3's on Tuesday against Duke (due to rust), but still the UConn 3-point percentage should pick up substantially when she gets a few games under her belt. She should take the majority of the entire team's 3's.

Even so, UConn should win by about 15.

 

[Geno-ista]

Wow- DD- How lucky are we to have people like you and some of the others that put together some phenomenal pieces- It is really appreciated. It's hard to imagine us losing- especially because of our size underneath, and super athleticism and especially our aggressive defense which always carries us thru thick and thin. I am just getting back in the swing- and was thinking if KML and Morgan were iffy, then foul trouble with the new foul calling could be our achilles in a tough road game with thin bench- but if either or both are able to give us some quality minutes, then I am really confident about a win. Funny, I would bet it will be 15-17 pts. But I wouldn't be surprised to see a closer game for some reason, and then again, I wouldn't be shocked if it's 30. I watched Chelsea Gray struggling against OK physically at times, that won't help Duke- she is terrific. And Alexis Jones is terrific. And Liston is terrific. But it is hard to see Peters and Williams dominating Steph, Stewie and Stokes and hopefully Morgan! I really think as deep as they are, some of the other teams may be more of a threat this year than Duke.

 

[winlots]

DOG: of great interest as always. Appreciated - obviously by many. Keep em comin

 

[winlots]

Tony, I find this admission to be impossible to believe!

KIB: I am astonished that you would find Tony's admission that he keeps repeating himself impossible to believe.
I am astonished that you would find Tony's admission that he keeps repeating himself impossible to believe.

 

[winlots]

Don't let Hugh do the bris
View attachment 4503
He's very dangerous ...

WONK: one of your all-time great posts. In fact, right up there with the all-time great posts on the Yard.
OY! And I'm not even Jewish.

 

[HGN]

Thanks DD.....A great post.

 

[nan linds]

Excellent! Thanks. Only correction would be the date.

 

[doggydaddy]

Excellent! Thanks. Only correction would be the date.

My mind is a terrible think to waste......

November? What the hell was I thinking?

 

[FairView]

Thanks for taking the time and the great analysis.

 

[msf22b]

Speaking of minds DD:

I woke up at 4 AM in the middle of a dream about the game and we lost!!!
An extensive multi-scene caper; the kind one seldom remembers.
Surely it's not an omen.

 

[doggydaddy]

Speaking of minds DD:

I woke up at 4 AM in the middle of a dream about the game and we lost!!!
An extensive multi-scene caper; the kind one seldom remembers.
Surely it's not an omen.

We are DOOMED!!!!!!!!!

 

[FollowerCT]

Related article from the Duke site: http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.d...846&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209340224&DB_OEM_ID=4200

 

[alexrgct]

Nothing to disagree with in terms of DD's analysis. This game still makes me nervous for a few reasons:

-Duke has to win against UConn at some point, don't they? The law of averages is pretty nuts
-We don't know about KML's status. Or Morgan's for that matter, but KML is an AA-caliber player.
-Without Kelly Faris, does UConn have the ability to make Chelsea Gray as ineffective as she was with Kelly around?
-With UConn on the road, you have to worry about foul calls.
-This is clearly the best opponent UConn has faced this year. Sure, Duke hasn't enjoyed the level of competition UConn has, so this game could be a real measuring stick for the Devils. Still, we need to respect Duke. I hope Geno has the girls prepared with the extra time they've enjoyed.

 

[doggydaddy]

Nothing to disagree with in terms of DD's analysis. This game still makes me nervous for a few reasons:

-Duke has to win against UConn at some point, don't they? The law of averages is pretty nuts
-We don't know about KML's status. Or Morgan's for that matter, but KML is an AA-caliber player.
-Without Kelly Faris, does UConn have the ability to make Chelsea Gray as ineffective as she was with Kelly around?
-With UConn on the road, you have to worry about foul calls.
-This is clearly the best opponent UConn has faced this year. Sure, Duke hasn't enjoyed the level of competition UConn has, so this game could be a real measuring stick for the Devils. Still, we need to respect Duke. I hope Geno has the girls prepared with the extra time they've enjoyed.

Gray is not the player she was last year physically. I'm looking forward to watching Hartley defend her.

Some great matchups. Stewart and Peters, Dolson and Williams, Jefferson and Jones. If playing, KML and Liston.