Duke vs UConn an Important Game for Both Teams

[Buzzyboy]

I think that's my issue.
We're fixated on the past.
In the past Duke folds.
Maybe this year they don't.
Then what?
Perhaps a competitive game.

So I guess you're saying "never say never"! Well, I'm inclined to think that it definitely won't happen this year (if people here on the Boneyard are right about this team) because you did see that pitiful performance they had earlier this year against a South Carolina team that struggled mightily themselves. I do know that we had a lousy performance ourselves with Stanford but it wasn't nearly as bad as what I witnessed a couple of weeks back. Then too, there have been a bunch of people who have questioned Duke's star, Ms. Williams, so why should I or others expect an appreciably better Duke outcome this year?

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Dems fightin' woyds!!!


Mob guys have had "sit-downs" for less.

I'm a Joisey boy; badabingbadaboom.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Confidence in the Huskies (which I share) to get the job done is one thing. An almost dismissive lack of respect for a quality opponent (reflected in all the predicted blowouts) is mindful of the Palo Alto pre-game hubris and subsequent disaster. The team has learned a lot from that game. We should ,too.

I think, to a great extent, UConn plays the same against everyone. Geno gives them a checklist of things to accomplish and even in blowouts, they typically stick to the script and perform extremely well. They have a tendency to play an opponent one possession at a time and they strive to win every one of them. Obviously it doesn't happen but that's what they work to accomplish and that's what makes them a 9 time National champion (and counting). Once in a great while, they need to get a kick in the teeth and they've already had that kick (against Stanford) and they aren't likely to forget it anytime soon. I'm quite confident!

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

If THEY are lucky ? You mean if we are lucky

Awww, poor TDF.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Zone? Yikes! UConn passes the ball rather well to four, and sometimes five three-point shooters who move about the arc. Duke will zone only if they try everything else...and it does not work.

They went to a zone against both Nebraska and South Carolina and it was extremely effective. UConn's outside shooting is questionable. Nurse has been better than advertised but Stewart and Chong have both struggled and Tuck is 4-21. Jefferson, of course, was really cold from the outside before yesterday.

So I think UConn will see plenty of zone, especially if they have success early against man-to-man.

 

[Bestiarius]

Confidence in the Huskies (which I share) to get the job done is one thing. An almost dismissive lack of respect for a quality opponent (reflected in all the predicted blowouts) is mindful of the Palo Alto pre-game hubris and subsequent disaster. The team has learned a lot from that game. We should ,too.

I thought, "Past performance is no guarantee of future success" only pertains to the Stock Market. You mean I have something else to worry about??!!

 

[Geno-ista]

UConn by maybe 10. I just don't think this one can be as easy as some on the board believe. The team has the potential to be great, but it is still sorting things out. Against SMU -- not a juggernaut, by any means -- they had their share of problems. What's certain is that Stewart and KML need to play up to potential. If they do, things should fall into place, with Kiah getting her fair share of time against Williams (can't wait to watch those two) and Gabby being the wild card. It wouldn't hurt for Moriah to continue the positive trend in this game. If she provides a three-point alternative, it makes UConn that much more difficult to defend against.

We have been waiting for Duke to give us a good game for a long time. They don't have the guard play. I wasn't one of the kook aide drinkers re the Stanford game. Vs SMU we were up 40-5. They had a little let down and Stewie was 1 for 10. Geno mixed up the line up most of the game with regularity. SMU was a great looking post Christmas tune up. Kiah will play as needed. She could find her playing time diminished by Gabby pretty soon. One of the main reason we have been great since Stanford is more Morgan Tuck, and less Stokes. Our offense runs with and thru Morgan like Stef. 5 players can beat you on offense at any time in so many different ways. Even Gabby has been making great interior passes and passes into the post.
Don't be nervous about this game. We are at home alo!!!

 

[Geno-ista]

I think that's my issue.
We're fixated on the past.
In the past Duke folds.
Maybe this year they don't.
Then what?
Perhaps a competitive game.

No - we'll kind of dominate them by 2nd half! No fear. Not great guards. Young great talent. We are becoming dominant- again!

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

UCONN rising, Duke setting, UCONN too many weapons, Duke no bullets in gun, Duke young backcourt, UCONN experienced backcourt, UCONN Stewie/Stokes/Tuck/Williams/KML vs EW, Geno vs Coach P, game at XL Center, UCONN's speed vs Duke slowness, Stewie had her down game vs SMU burns Blue Devils for 25+, KML gets at least 5 3pointers closer to DT, =
84-48!

 

[hoophuskee]

Too much is made of height. Better BASKETBALL PLAYERS defeat height. I didn't realize Duke was so young. And they are playing at UCONN? UCONN wins easily.

I can recall a long time ago Cliff Robinson was drafted 2nd round in NBA. He went on to have a terrific NBA career. Jim Calhoun said after the draft the scouts focused way too much on what he couldn't do and not what he does very well which is why he went 2nd round and not as initially projected in the 1st round. I get the same feeling whenever I read anyone stating "concern." However "concern" could mean many things to many posters just as eric mentioned to the OP what does "blowout" mean. I just don't see a major concern here. I think some here see "the Cliff Robinson flaws" way too much. No team even last year is perfect even if the record indicates as such. These are kids and as kids they will always have weaknesses. They still win many games by a lot despite their weaknesses because overall they are terrific basketball players.

Yellowstone erupted in Stanford. I hardly expect another cataclysmic eruption but this time at home vs such a young team like Duke which has known nothing but misery from UCONN these last several years.

 

[connboy77]

UCONN rising, Duke setting, UCONN too many weapons, Duke no bullets in gun, Duke young backcourt, UCONN experienced backcourt, UCONN Stewie/Stokes/Tuck/Williams/KML vs EW, Geno vs Coach P, game at XL Center, UCONN's speed vs Duke slowness, Stewie had her down game vs SMU burns Blue Devils for 25+, KML gets at least 5 3pointers closer to DT, =
84-48!

Even Tony wouldn't predict a win by 36 points!

 

[Sonny44]

Even Tony wouldn't predict a win by 36 points!

I say close for the first 10 minutes or so, then we pull away for the usual 20 or so point win.

 

[triaddukefan]

True story.... my doctor wanted to schedule an appointment for Dec 30......... wanted me to come in early.... at 8-9am. She wanted me to fast 12 hours before the appointment. ( Anyone who knows me knows how hard it would be to go 12 hours without food) I looked at the calender.... and said..... how about 11am. The way I figure.... the game tonight will end around 11pm..... and if this game is like the past Duke-UCONN games..... I wont have an appetite for at least a half a day anyway.

 

[Buzzyboy]

They went to a zone against both Nebraska and South Carolina and it was extremely effective. UConn's outside shooting is questionable. Nurse has been better than advertised but Stewart and Chong have both struggled and Tuck is 4-21. Jefferson, of course, was really cold from the outside before yesterday.

So I think UConn will see plenty of zone, especially if they have success early against man-to-man.

I just want to say that Tuck is a better shooter than 4 of 21 and tonight might be the night you see her show it. Stewie is also someone who is a bit of a streak 3 point shooter so that actually could be a bad omen for the Dukies. We shall see but I'm inclined to think we'll see a 74-53 type game in favor of our Huskies. Our scoring will be a little down but I'm sure not expecting a lot of production from the Blue Devils. I'm inclined to think our defense is finally gelling and they'll have major issues putting the ball in the basket.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I say close for the first 10 minutes or so, then we pull away for the usual 20 or so point win.

I'm not predicting it but I wouldn't be stunned if that score was pretty darn close. I think it'll be somewhere around 76-53 but a few more stops, a few fast break baskets off of turnovers, who knows????

 

[uconnfan68]

We have been waiting for Duke to give us a good game for a long time. They don't have the guard play. I wasn't one of the kook aide drinkers re the Stanford game. Vs SMU we were up 40-5. They had a little let down and Stewie was 1 for 10. Geno mixed up the line up most of the game with regularity. SMU was a great looking post Christmas tune up. Kiah will play as needed. She could find her playing time diminished by Gabby pretty soon. One of the main reason we have been great since Stanford is more Morgan Tuck, and less Stokes. Our offense runs with and thru Morgan like Stef. 5 players can beat you on offense at any time in so many different ways. Even Gabby has been making great interior passes and passes into the post.
Don't be nervous about this game. We are at home alo!!!

When we play a big team, or when the other team starts scoring inside, or controlling the boards, you won't be putting Gabby in before Kiah. Kiah changes all those things in our favor immediately.

 

[huskeynut]

More likely a front line of Stewie (6' 4"), Kiah (6' 3") and Morgan (6' 2') to negate Duke's height. It will be interesting to see how skilled Duke's tall players really are. We know about Williams, the rest should be interesting.

Gabby will see minutes and create havoc when she is in there.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Too much is made of height. Better BASKETBALL PLAYERS defeat height. I didn't realize Duke was so young. And they are playing at UCONN? UCONN wins easily.

Sure, height can be defeated, but it can also be a pain in the you-know-what too. Duke is on pace to destroy the all-time rebounding margin record and their opponents shoot just 33% against them. They are an unusual matchup. A very tough game would not shock me at all.

 

[mrmojack]

The thing is Stokes does not start so for all the Stokes vs. Williams matchup excitement, it will be Tuck or Stewie guarding Williams to start the game. I hope Kiah gets a lot of PT and this seems like a game custom made for her skill set...

If the game starts with Uconn getting beat up on the boards, you will see plenty of her tonight, just like the Notre Dame game. She will play when needed to help put the
game away. I think we come ready to play some basketball tonight.

 

[mrmojack]

More likely a front line of Stewie (6' 4"), Kiah (6' 3") and Morgan (6' 2') to negate Duke's height. It will be interesting to see how skilled Duke's tall players really are. We know about Williams, the rest should be interesting.

Gabby will see minutes and create havoc when she is in there.

I like the way Gabby calls for the ball when she posts up, got to like this kid.
She is going to be something when she really gets going.

 

[easttexastrash]

Duke is hard for me to gauge at this point. Their losses were without Williams and that obviously had a big impacted on all aspects of their games. She requires attention on the offensive end, is a good rebounder and defensive presence. She also takes a lot of pressure off of Stevens. I am just not sure how good or not good they are. I guess we will know tonight.

 

[meyers7]

Mojo, mojo, mojo.

Duke 61-59. Foley with at winner at the buzzer.

 

[VAMike23]

When we play a big team, or when the other team starts scoring inside, or controlling the boards, you won't be putting Gabby in before Kiah. Kiah changes all those things in our favor immediately.

Thank you !!!!!!!

 

[rvwsleep]

Mojo, mojo, mojo.

Duke 61-59. Foley with at winner at the buzzer.

That may have been a touch too much mojo.
Massey has them a 20.5 pt favorite. I can't wait to see who scores the half point.

 

[Shenandoah]

Apparently Elizabeth Williams plays very well against everyone BUT UConn. We've never really seen her at her best. It would not shock me to see her amp up her game tonight. Kiah has had her way the last 3 years, but if EW manages to get Kiah into foul trouble...
UConn 78 Duke 72

 

[hoophuskee]

Sure, height can be defeated, but it can also be a pain in the you-know-what too. Duke is on pace to destroy the all-time rebounding margin record and their opponents shoot just 33% against them. They are an unusual matchup. A very tough game would not shock me at all.

Sure it can. Our amateurs beat the Russian pros a long time ago in Hockey. So anything extreme like us losing to Stanford can happen. But height is not much of a pain when you have decent height yourself along with more experience and playing at home. A very tough game would shock me very much.

If we want to talk about their rebounding margin we can also talk about our annihilation of opponents since Stanford. thus the BASKETBALL PLAYER comment imo stands and will be evident tonight.

 

[RadyLady]

They went to a zone against both Nebraska and South Carolina and it was extremely effective. UConn's outside shooting is questionable. Nurse has been better than advertised but Stewart and Chong have both struggled and Tuck is 4-21. Jefferson, of course, was really cold from the outside before yesterday.

So I think UConn will see plenty of zone, especially if they have success early against man-to-man.

well, ok. But, as far as I know, KML is shooting .531, Nurse .421, Jefferson .387 and Stewart .371 from 3.

So....I wouldn't call it questionable....some have good days, some have bad days. But UConn definitely has power beyond the arc.

 

[triaddukefan]

Apparently Elizabeth Williams plays very well against everyone BUT UConn. We've never really seen her at her best. It would not shock me to see her amp up her game tonight. Kiah had her way their freshman year, but if EW manages to get Kiah into foul trouble...
UConn 78 Duke 72

Fixed that. As I said in another post... it was more Dolson the last two times than Stokes, in my opinion. Nevertheless... it will be good to watch this game without any expectations. Just going to eat some pizza....watch how our youngsters handle themselves....... and hopefully no one from either side gets injured.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If we want to talk about their rebounding margin we can also talk about our annihilation of opponents since Stanford. thus the BASKETBALL PLAYER comment imo stands and will be evident tonight.

No doubt the Huskies have gotten better since Stanford with a corrected lineup, but they've also only played one legit team in Notre Dame. In that game UConn controlled the boards against a Turner-less Irish. This is a much different beast tonight.

 

[easttexastrash]

I'm just happy that Alexis Jones is not playing tonight.