cferraro04
Sensei
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 2,391
- Reaction Score
- 12,977
GENERAL COMMENTS:
Well, it is finally here! The game that once was the fiercest rivalry in WCBB is now but a shadowy reminder of the most anticipated game by fans season after season. Gone is the venerable Chamique Holdsclaw; Gone is the legendary 2003-2004 recruiting class of Candace Parker, Alexis Hornbuckle, Nicki Anosike, Alex Fuller, Jasmine "Dolly" Wiley-Gatewood, and Sybil Dosty; Gone are the three "meeks", Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings, Sameka Randall. Who could forget Diana Taurasi just wanting to punch something orange? I will never forget UConn capping a 35-0 1995 season by beating Tennessee 70-64. In 2002, a record crowd of 29.619 fans showed up at the Hartford Civic Center to watch UConn defeat Tennessee 86-72. And who can forget the fan frustration when Candace three it down in 2007 on her way to scoring 30 points, as Tennessee beat UConn in Hartford, 70-64. The sweetest moment came in 2003 by way of Diana Taurasi when she tied the game with a three-pointer in overtime. The most bitter moment came when Semeka Randall scored the game-winning shot with 4.4 seconds remaining in 2000. Etched in the minds of the fans are those legendary coaching match-ups between Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt. Finally, the breakup of the rivalry in 2007 occurred when the series was cancelled when Pat Summit accused Geno Auriemma of cheating in the recruitment of Maya Moore...the tension was palpable. Yep, the Tennessee / UConn rivalry will forever be enshrined in history as one of the most memorable in the history of the sport.
The modern-day matchup of these two teams lacks the emotional content of yesteryear and more aptly can be summed up as a mid-season out-of-conference game between two top 15 teams. Tennessee is averaging 79.4 points per game while holding its opponents to 60.2 points per game. UConn is averaging 90.2 points per game while holding its opponents to 50.2 points per game. UConn is averaging an incredible 40-point margin. Despite Allie Ziebell's record-setting 10 three-pointers against Xavier this past week, both teams are averaging approximately 9 three-pointers per game. Tennessee really distinguishes itself in its ability to rebound the basketball. Tennessee is averaging 42.7 rebounds per game. UConn's players will need to box out their assignments if they wish to limit Tennessee's presence on the glass. Tennessee averages 14.7 assists while UConn averages 24.4 assists per game. Tennessee averages 15.1 turnovers while forcing its opponents into 21.6 turnovers per game. UConn averages 13.1 turnovers while forcing its opponents into 25.4 turnovers per game. Tennessee gets 11.9 steals per game, which leads to 25.6 points off turnovers. UConn averages 16.0 steals per game, which leads to 35.3 points off turnovers.
Tennessee has an RPI of 8; Its strength of schedule is also 8. Tennessee's Net Ranking is 16, and its defense is ranked 23.
UConn has an RPI of 1; Its strength of schedule is ranked 7. UConn's Net Ranking is 1, and its defense is ranked 1
In short, UConn is WCBB's juggernaut, sitting at the top of just about every metric there is in the sport. Thus should be a tough, hard-fought game with Kim Caldwell and her staff putting their coaching bonafides up against Geno and his staff's. UConn will need to make shots and limit Tennessee's advantage on the glass. If UConn consistently brings the defensive pressure and doesn't rush their offense, they should win this one by mid-third quarter.
PLAYER MATCH UPS:
Serah Williams, 6'4" - Senior Forward vs Zee Spearman, 6'4" - Senior Forward - If Serah is still out with the ankle injury, then the responsibility for this match-up will fall to Jana El-Alfy, 6'5" - Red Shirt Sophomore - Center. Zee averages 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, .9 assists, .9 steals, 1.5 blocks, and makes 1.1 three-pointers per game. Serah averages 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, .8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Spearman is more prone to turning the ball over than Williams, as Spearman averages 2.7 turnovers while Williams averages 1.9 turnovers per game. ADVANTAGE - TENNESSEE
Sarah Strong, 6'2" - Sophomore Forward vs Janiah Barker, 6'4" - Senior Forward - Janiah averages 14.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers per game. Janiah averages 2.6 turnovers per game. Sarah averages 19.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 three-pointers per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
Azzi Fudd, 5'11" - Graduate Guard vs Talaysia Cooper, 6'0" - Redshirt Junior - Talaysia is averaging 14.4 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.4 steals per game, and .4 blocks per game. Azzi Fudd averages 16.7 points, 2.8 three-pointers, 2.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.3 steals, and .4 blocks per game. SLIGHT ADVANTAGE - TENNESSEE
Ashlynn Shade, 5'10" - Junior Guard vs Nia Robertson, 5'7" - Senior Guard - Nia averages 8.2 points, 1.9 three-pointers, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and .6 steals per game. Ashlynn is averaging 7.5 points, 1.4 three-pointers, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
KK Arnold, 5'9" - Junior Guard vs Mia Pauldo, 5'6" - Freshman Guard - Mia is averaging 12.1 points, 2.1 three-pointers, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. KK is averaging 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.7 steals, and she is hitting .6 three-pointers per game. Pauldo is a spark plug who can shoot the three, defends well, and takes care of the basketball, only committing 1.2 turnovers per game. ADVANTAGE - EVEN
BENCH:
This is difficult, especially in the absence of a pregame injury report. However, assuming our usual bench is intact, I see the advantage as follows.
Tennessee will bring: 22.6 points, 16.6 rebounds, 2.3 three-pointers, 5.8 assists, 5.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks in a collective 93.1 minutes per game
UConn will bring: 36.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, 3.5 three-pointers, 9.2 assists, 5.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks in a collective 86.7 minutes per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
COACHING:
Kim Caldwell is in her second season as the women’s basketball head coach at the University of Tennessee. She was announced on April 7, 2024, as the fourth leader of the Lady Volunteers during the NCAA era.
A rising star in the profession, Caldwell has quickly forged a reputation as an elite head coach at three different stops now after making her debut at the game’s highest level as the skipper of the all-time winningest program in women’s hoops at UT. She previously led NCAA Division II Glenville State and DI Marshall to championship seasons with a high-octane approach on both ends of the floor.
Simply put, Caldwell is a winner. In nine seasons as a head coach, she has compiled an impressive 241-41 (.855) career record. Those numbers include an astounding 157-21 (.882) mark in conference games. Along the way, her teams have earned berths in nine NCAA Tournaments, and she directed those squads to one national championship, two NCAA DII Final Fours, seven conference championships and five conference tournament titles.
Statistically, her teams have excelled in scoring, three-point shooting, offensive rebounding and steals. As a head coach, her squads have led the nation five times in scoring, finishing second twice and never placing below fourth in points per game. Her squads have been the top team on four occasions in three-pointers made per game, never placing lower than fifth. In steals per game, Caldwell’s units have finished below fourth only once (2024-25).
As good a coach as Kim is, she will be taking on the best of the best in Geno, but Geno also has the benefit of an all-star coaching staff in Associate Coach Chris Daily, Jamelle Elliott, Morgan Valley, and Tanya Cardosa. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
INTANGIBLES:
UConn will be essentially playing this game at home at a sure-to-be sold-out People's Bank Arena in Hartford, CT. UConn is averaging over 90 points per game, and they have the number one defense in the country. They are at the top of nearly every metric in WCBB. They have great talent, experience, and will be up for this game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
SCORE:
UCONN - 85
TENNESSEE - 71
MOV - 14
Well, it is finally here! The game that once was the fiercest rivalry in WCBB is now but a shadowy reminder of the most anticipated game by fans season after season. Gone is the venerable Chamique Holdsclaw; Gone is the legendary 2003-2004 recruiting class of Candace Parker, Alexis Hornbuckle, Nicki Anosike, Alex Fuller, Jasmine "Dolly" Wiley-Gatewood, and Sybil Dosty; Gone are the three "meeks", Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings, Sameka Randall. Who could forget Diana Taurasi just wanting to punch something orange? I will never forget UConn capping a 35-0 1995 season by beating Tennessee 70-64. In 2002, a record crowd of 29.619 fans showed up at the Hartford Civic Center to watch UConn defeat Tennessee 86-72. And who can forget the fan frustration when Candace three it down in 2007 on her way to scoring 30 points, as Tennessee beat UConn in Hartford, 70-64. The sweetest moment came in 2003 by way of Diana Taurasi when she tied the game with a three-pointer in overtime. The most bitter moment came when Semeka Randall scored the game-winning shot with 4.4 seconds remaining in 2000. Etched in the minds of the fans are those legendary coaching match-ups between Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt. Finally, the breakup of the rivalry in 2007 occurred when the series was cancelled when Pat Summit accused Geno Auriemma of cheating in the recruitment of Maya Moore...the tension was palpable. Yep, the Tennessee / UConn rivalry will forever be enshrined in history as one of the most memorable in the history of the sport.
The modern-day matchup of these two teams lacks the emotional content of yesteryear and more aptly can be summed up as a mid-season out-of-conference game between two top 15 teams. Tennessee is averaging 79.4 points per game while holding its opponents to 60.2 points per game. UConn is averaging 90.2 points per game while holding its opponents to 50.2 points per game. UConn is averaging an incredible 40-point margin. Despite Allie Ziebell's record-setting 10 three-pointers against Xavier this past week, both teams are averaging approximately 9 three-pointers per game. Tennessee really distinguishes itself in its ability to rebound the basketball. Tennessee is averaging 42.7 rebounds per game. UConn's players will need to box out their assignments if they wish to limit Tennessee's presence on the glass. Tennessee averages 14.7 assists while UConn averages 24.4 assists per game. Tennessee averages 15.1 turnovers while forcing its opponents into 21.6 turnovers per game. UConn averages 13.1 turnovers while forcing its opponents into 25.4 turnovers per game. Tennessee gets 11.9 steals per game, which leads to 25.6 points off turnovers. UConn averages 16.0 steals per game, which leads to 35.3 points off turnovers.
Tennessee has an RPI of 8; Its strength of schedule is also 8. Tennessee's Net Ranking is 16, and its defense is ranked 23.
UConn has an RPI of 1; Its strength of schedule is ranked 7. UConn's Net Ranking is 1, and its defense is ranked 1
In short, UConn is WCBB's juggernaut, sitting at the top of just about every metric there is in the sport. Thus should be a tough, hard-fought game with Kim Caldwell and her staff putting their coaching bonafides up against Geno and his staff's. UConn will need to make shots and limit Tennessee's advantage on the glass. If UConn consistently brings the defensive pressure and doesn't rush their offense, they should win this one by mid-third quarter.
PLAYER MATCH UPS:
Serah Williams, 6'4" - Senior Forward vs Zee Spearman, 6'4" - Senior Forward - If Serah is still out with the ankle injury, then the responsibility for this match-up will fall to Jana El-Alfy, 6'5" - Red Shirt Sophomore - Center. Zee averages 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, .9 assists, .9 steals, 1.5 blocks, and makes 1.1 three-pointers per game. Serah averages 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, .8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Spearman is more prone to turning the ball over than Williams, as Spearman averages 2.7 turnovers while Williams averages 1.9 turnovers per game. ADVANTAGE - TENNESSEE
Sarah Strong, 6'2" - Sophomore Forward vs Janiah Barker, 6'4" - Senior Forward - Janiah averages 14.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers per game. Janiah averages 2.6 turnovers per game. Sarah averages 19.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 three-pointers per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
Azzi Fudd, 5'11" - Graduate Guard vs Talaysia Cooper, 6'0" - Redshirt Junior - Talaysia is averaging 14.4 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.4 steals per game, and .4 blocks per game. Azzi Fudd averages 16.7 points, 2.8 three-pointers, 2.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.3 steals, and .4 blocks per game. SLIGHT ADVANTAGE - TENNESSEE
Ashlynn Shade, 5'10" - Junior Guard vs Nia Robertson, 5'7" - Senior Guard - Nia averages 8.2 points, 1.9 three-pointers, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and .6 steals per game. Ashlynn is averaging 7.5 points, 1.4 three-pointers, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
KK Arnold, 5'9" - Junior Guard vs Mia Pauldo, 5'6" - Freshman Guard - Mia is averaging 12.1 points, 2.1 three-pointers, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. KK is averaging 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.7 steals, and she is hitting .6 three-pointers per game. Pauldo is a spark plug who can shoot the three, defends well, and takes care of the basketball, only committing 1.2 turnovers per game. ADVANTAGE - EVEN
BENCH:
This is difficult, especially in the absence of a pregame injury report. However, assuming our usual bench is intact, I see the advantage as follows.
Tennessee will bring: 22.6 points, 16.6 rebounds, 2.3 three-pointers, 5.8 assists, 5.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks in a collective 93.1 minutes per game
UConn will bring: 36.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, 3.5 three-pointers, 9.2 assists, 5.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks in a collective 86.7 minutes per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
COACHING:
Kim Caldwell is in her second season as the women’s basketball head coach at the University of Tennessee. She was announced on April 7, 2024, as the fourth leader of the Lady Volunteers during the NCAA era.
A rising star in the profession, Caldwell has quickly forged a reputation as an elite head coach at three different stops now after making her debut at the game’s highest level as the skipper of the all-time winningest program in women’s hoops at UT. She previously led NCAA Division II Glenville State and DI Marshall to championship seasons with a high-octane approach on both ends of the floor.
Simply put, Caldwell is a winner. In nine seasons as a head coach, she has compiled an impressive 241-41 (.855) career record. Those numbers include an astounding 157-21 (.882) mark in conference games. Along the way, her teams have earned berths in nine NCAA Tournaments, and she directed those squads to one national championship, two NCAA DII Final Fours, seven conference championships and five conference tournament titles.
Statistically, her teams have excelled in scoring, three-point shooting, offensive rebounding and steals. As a head coach, her squads have led the nation five times in scoring, finishing second twice and never placing below fourth in points per game. Her squads have been the top team on four occasions in three-pointers made per game, never placing lower than fifth. In steals per game, Caldwell’s units have finished below fourth only once (2024-25).
As good a coach as Kim is, she will be taking on the best of the best in Geno, but Geno also has the benefit of an all-star coaching staff in Associate Coach Chris Daily, Jamelle Elliott, Morgan Valley, and Tanya Cardosa. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
INTANGIBLES:
UConn will be essentially playing this game at home at a sure-to-be sold-out People's Bank Arena in Hartford, CT. UConn is averaging over 90 points per game, and they have the number one defense in the country. They are at the top of nearly every metric in WCBB. They have great talent, experience, and will be up for this game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
SCORE:
UCONN - 85
TENNESSEE - 71
MOV - 14
