EricLA
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Had to DVR it because I had work, and then a party to go to...
First of all, Duke is a really good team. Sure the final margin was 22, but let's not pretend that UCONN wouldn't have walloped Maryland or PSU by 30+ if KML and Morgan were healthy.
Second, Rebecca made a really good point when she said the team that plays a style that is a hard match up for UCONN is Notre Dame. This is one reason I think ND is actually the #2 team in the nation while I think Duke is #3.
Third, None of the other top teams play a style of basketball that really disrupts UCONN. Lousiville is just a horrible match up. Not as athletic or as fit as UCONN and their strengths are completely overwhelmed by UCONN. Kentucky - UCONN showed last year in a 30 point beatdown that it's not just a talent gap - it's a complete team performance gap.
If Stanford had the horses UCONN has, they also play a style that is disruptive, but aside from Chiney and Amber, they just don't have it. Tennessee fans may think they are close to UCONN, but they'd get slaughtered by more than Duke if the teams ever play. They may have athleticism, but poor shot selection, lack of offense, and hitting the offensive boards is not a recipe for success against UCONN.
Fourth, getting back to Duke, there's a reason why Saniya, Morgan, Bria, and Kiah didn't "contribute" much in the stats line - Duke is a really good team. While each player had some nice moments, and did things to build on, those 4 weren't able to get any real traction partly because Duke is really good, and partly because Stef, Moriah, KML and Stewie were just playing so well.
It's hard to tell which of those 4 impressed me the most. Stef did so many great things with the ball, and without it. Scoring, rebounding, dishing assists - she had a 2 minute stretch where she lost her mind and turned the ball over with some poor decisions, but deserves all the accolades she gets because she's terrific.
KML - sheesh. I didn't key into her much on defense and she had 3 boards, no steals, and no assists, but 7-11 after a month layoff scoring 21 points? All I could do is smile watching her.
Stewie - set the tone early scoring in every way imaginable. Inside, outside, spot up, bam. I think early on the score was Stewie, 12, and the entire Duke team 11.
Moriah - she deserved her own thread tonight as several posters pointed out she was just fantastic out there. As a fan, I'm more than comfortable watching her with the ball since I know she's going to make a terrific decision almost every time she sets up the offense. This girl is special.
Bria IMHO had an average game. Usually in important type games, she steps up and is a total demon on both sides of the ball. But tonight she seemed to be forcing things - pressing a bit too much, and it worked to her disadvantage.
Final thoughts - I think ND is the 2nd best team in the nation and Duke #3. The ACC will be a bloodbath and is hands down the best WCBB conference in the nation. I can see them getting a pair of 1 seeds - Duke and ND. After that it's a crapshoot. Really looking forward to watching all the teams grow the rest of this season.
First of all, Duke is a really good team. Sure the final margin was 22, but let's not pretend that UCONN wouldn't have walloped Maryland or PSU by 30+ if KML and Morgan were healthy.
Second, Rebecca made a really good point when she said the team that plays a style that is a hard match up for UCONN is Notre Dame. This is one reason I think ND is actually the #2 team in the nation while I think Duke is #3.
Third, None of the other top teams play a style of basketball that really disrupts UCONN. Lousiville is just a horrible match up. Not as athletic or as fit as UCONN and their strengths are completely overwhelmed by UCONN. Kentucky - UCONN showed last year in a 30 point beatdown that it's not just a talent gap - it's a complete team performance gap.
If Stanford had the horses UCONN has, they also play a style that is disruptive, but aside from Chiney and Amber, they just don't have it. Tennessee fans may think they are close to UCONN, but they'd get slaughtered by more than Duke if the teams ever play. They may have athleticism, but poor shot selection, lack of offense, and hitting the offensive boards is not a recipe for success against UCONN.
Fourth, getting back to Duke, there's a reason why Saniya, Morgan, Bria, and Kiah didn't "contribute" much in the stats line - Duke is a really good team. While each player had some nice moments, and did things to build on, those 4 weren't able to get any real traction partly because Duke is really good, and partly because Stef, Moriah, KML and Stewie were just playing so well.
It's hard to tell which of those 4 impressed me the most. Stef did so many great things with the ball, and without it. Scoring, rebounding, dishing assists - she had a 2 minute stretch where she lost her mind and turned the ball over with some poor decisions, but deserves all the accolades she gets because she's terrific.
KML - sheesh. I didn't key into her much on defense and she had 3 boards, no steals, and no assists, but 7-11 after a month layoff scoring 21 points? All I could do is smile watching her.
Stewie - set the tone early scoring in every way imaginable. Inside, outside, spot up, bam. I think early on the score was Stewie, 12, and the entire Duke team 11.
Moriah - she deserved her own thread tonight as several posters pointed out she was just fantastic out there. As a fan, I'm more than comfortable watching her with the ball since I know she's going to make a terrific decision almost every time she sets up the offense. This girl is special.
Bria IMHO had an average game. Usually in important type games, she steps up and is a total demon on both sides of the ball. But tonight she seemed to be forcing things - pressing a bit too much, and it worked to her disadvantage.
Final thoughts - I think ND is the 2nd best team in the nation and Duke #3. The ACC will be a bloodbath and is hands down the best WCBB conference in the nation. I can see them getting a pair of 1 seeds - Duke and ND. After that it's a crapshoot. Really looking forward to watching all the teams grow the rest of this season.