Lou & Pheesa: The Greatest Game Yet By Greatest Scoring Tandem in UConn History

[connie]

Sorry. Can't help myself. Just wanted to post a thread with that title.

Yesterday's win over SC was much more than this team's statement game of the year. It figuratively and literally marked the tandem of Collier and Samuelson as among the greatest in UConn history as they became the team's all-time leading scoring duo. They did it by playing perhaps their best combined game as collegians, and they did so against a determined, confident, capable and talented SC team coming off 14 wins in their last 15 games. Phees and Lou played hard, and with poise, determination, and leadership. They filled the stat sheet. But they also did dozens of things that do not appear in the stats: great footwork; anticipating without over-comitting; running the floor; blocking out; setting picks; executing the screen and roll to perfection; hitting outside shots, mid-range shots; leading the fast break; exploiting mismatches; rebounding; passing; everything. For Phees, perhaps the best compliment of the night came (I think) from Kara Lawson, who said that watching her practice on the USA team, you just couldn't tell she was a college player; Phees already looked like a pro. (Actually, the best compliment was Geno's decision to take out Napheesa first, greeting her with a touching embrace of appreciation and respect.) For Lou, it was all phases of everything that makes her, well, Lou. She is better than the 2x 1st team AA and AAC player of the year three-point specialist. She did it all, at both ends of the floor and in between. And she did it with passion, fire and joy.

I've loved watching these two play together since they were freshman year roommates. To see how far they've come is truly remarkable and a joy. It may be a long time before we see the likes of such a pair coming through UConn again. Enjoy every single moment.

 

[bbballfan23]

They are only 410 points away from the all-time record for points by a tandem.

Kelsey Plum & Chantel Osahor hold the record. For those wanting the math, if UConn only makes it to the Elite 8, Lou & Phee would both have to average 17ppg. Number goes down to 13.6 each if we play for the championship. These 2 are INCREDIBLE!

 

[JavaMan]

...I've loved watching these two play together since they were freshman year roommates. To see how far they've come is truly remarkable and a joy. It may be a long time before we see the likes of such a pair coming through UConn again. Enjoy every single moment.

Actually, they started playing together before that. Lou, Phee, De'Janae, and Arike, destroyed their competition on the way to a USA Basketball 3x3 gold medal when they were in high school. I watched every game and was extremely delighted with our three recruits. Lou actually was hobbled for much of that tournament and didn't play as many minutes as she should have ...but she was GOOD when she got in.

On another note, no need for the sorrow, I for one am delighted with your post.

 

[Bronxjeff]

We have been very fortunate to have watched three plus years of these ladies playing their hearts out!

 

[UConnCat]

 

[JonathanXIV]

The best part of Lou and Pheesa becoming the highest scoring tandem in UConn history is that they have been inseparable since they visited UConn together and committed right afterwards.

 

[reno tony]

What about Maya and Tina for scoring tandem? I think they only played 3 years together but if we use Maya's points and Tina's 2,3,4 seasons.... why can't they be a tandem?

 

[MilfordHusky]

What about Maya and Tina for scoring tandem? I think they only played 3 years together but if we use Maya's points and Tina's 2,3,4 seasons.... why can't they be a tandem?

Different classes. That's the restriction on this measurement.

 

[MilfordHusky]

THE TWINS! I love them both!

 

[hoopsfan22]

 

[Bigboote]

The best part of Lou and Pheesa becoming the highest scoring tandem in UConn history is that they have been inseparable since they visited UConn together and committed right afterwards.

And they have SO much fun together. I for one am going to miss those two huge smiles on the court. And it seems that one or the other or both are almost always smiling.

 

[Bigboote]

THE TWINS! I love them both!

I've had that pic as my in-season desktop the past two seasons.

 

[Plebe]

Thanks for this post.

Let us indeed enjoy this tandem that have been a pure joy to have around.

 

[MilfordHusky]

They are only 410 points away from the all-time record for points by a tandem.

Kelsey Plum & Chantel Osahor hold the record. For those wanting the math, if UConn only makes it to the Elite 8, Lou & Phee would both have to average 17ppg. Number goes down to 13.6 each if we play for the championship. These 2 are INCREDIBLE!

I think that matches my math:

Lou and Phee have 4,261. Plum and Osahor had 4,671 (Plum had over 75% of them).

Obviously, playing more games helps. Going to the AAC Finals and NCAA Finals really helps.

They could both pass Tina and finish #3 and #4 in UConn career scoring. That's mind-boggling.

On a different note, Lou needs to average about 3.2 made treys per game to match Kaleena's UConn mark of 398. A hot streak would really help. Maybe, 10-10!

 

[donalddoowop]

It may not be over when they graduate. Williams and ONO may pick up where they leave off.

 

[Carnac]

Sorry. Can't help myself. Just wanted to post a thread with that title.

Yesterday's win over SC was much more than this team's statement game of the year. It figuratively and literally marked the tandem of Collier and Samuelson as among the greatest in UConn history as they became the team's all-time leading scoring duo. They did it by playing perhaps their best combined game as collegians, and they did so against a determined, confident, capable and talented SC team coming off 14 wins in their last 15 games. Phees and Lou played hard, and with poise, determination, and leadership. They filled the stat sheet. But they also did dozens of things that do not appear in the stats: great footwork; anticipating without over-comitting; running the floor; blocking out; setting picks; executing the screen and roll to perfection; hitting outside shots, mid-range shots; leading the fast break; exploiting mismatches; rebounding; passing; everything. For Phees, perhaps the best compliment of the night came (I think) from Kara Lawson, who said that watching her practice on the USA team, you just couldn't tell she was a college player; Phees already looked like a pro. (Actually, the best compliment was Geno's decision to take out Napheesa first, greeting her with a touching embrace of appreciation and respect.) For Lou, it was all phases of everything that makes her, well, Lou. She is better than the 2x 1st team AA anc AAC player of the year three-point specialist. She did it all, at both ends of the floor and in between. And she did it with passion, fire and joy.

I've loved watching these two play together since they were freshman year roommates. To see how far they've come is truly remarkable and a joy. It may be a long time before we see the likes of such a pair coming through UConn again. Enjoy every single moment.

Thanks Connie, an excellent post. We’re glad you couldn’t take it any longer. I wonder when they were freshmen on the 1st day of practice (which had to be a shock, because they had no idea how demanding it would be), if they had any idea that together they would score more points than any duo in the history of the program?

They’ve got at least 11 more games. How far beyond 4261 points (or what ever their total is) can they put their new record before their season and career comes to an end? How long will their new record stand? Stewie & Mo’s record only lasted 2 years. They left in 2016.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Thanks Connie, an excellent post. I wonder when they were freshmen on the 1st day of practice (which had to be a shock, because they had no idea how demanding it would be), if they had any idea that together they would score more points than any duo in the history of the program?

They’ve got at least 11 more games. How far beyond 4203 points (or what ever their total is) can they put their new record before their season and career comes to an end? How long will their new record stand? Stewie & Mo’s record only lasted 2 years. They left in 2016.

Fudd and DeBerry may challenge it.

 

[Carnac]

Fudd and DeBerry may challenge it.

I sure hope so. It would be fun and exciting watching them try. If you think about it, it’s not a record we want to stand very long.

 

[Carnac]

I think that matches my math:

Lou and Phee have 4,261. Plum and Osahor had 4,671 (Plum had over 75% of them).

Obviously, playing more games helps. Going to the AAC Finals and NCAA Finals really helps.

They could both pass Tina and finish #3 and #4 in UConn career scoring. That's mind-boggling.

On a different note, Lou needs to average about 3.2 made treys per game to match Kaleena's UConn mark of 398. A hot streak would really help. Maybe, 10-10!

If KML had not missed those 12 games due to her shoulder injury, she would have had some where in the neighborhood of 434 made 3’s. That would have been a record that may have stood for awhile.

 

[bbfanLA]

If Collier wins conference player of the year this year, I can’t imagine there are a pair of classmates at any school who each have two conference POY trophies. I’m guessing that would be an NCAA record.

 

[Oldbones]

Please allow me to hang some crepe. To rain on the parade. To be the wet blanket.

(1) The parade of points is necessary when the remaining team is not contributing enough.
(2) The parade of points is necessary because the opposition is scoring against UCONN at unaccustomed levels.
(3) The parade of points is happening because Napheesa and KLS are playing high levels of minutes that were unnecessary when KML, Stewie, Stef, Morgan, and Mo were controlling the action.
(4) The points will be missed next year every bits a much as the shutdown defense of Kia and Gabulous were missed this year.

 

[Dokey]

They are only 410 points away from the all-time record for points by a tandem.

Kelsey Plum & Chantel Osahor hold the record. For those wanting the math, if UConn only makes it to the Elite 8, Lou & Phee would both have to average 17ppg. Number goes down to 13.6 each if we play for the championship. These 2 are INCREDIBLE!

Plum scored tons but she frequently played deep into 4th. How many games did Lou sit out 4th after game was out of teach?

 

[MilfordHusky]

If KML had not missed those 12 games due to her shoulder injury, she would have had some where in the neighborhood of 434 made 3’s. That would have been a record that may have stood for awhile.

I think Lou missed at least 6 games and Kaleena missed at least 12 games.

The NCAA record holder as of last year is Kelsey Mitchell. She didn't match either Kaleena's or Lou's accuracy, but she was prolific.

 

[bbballfan23]

Please allow me to hang some crepe. To rain on the parade. To be the wet blanket.

(1) The parade of points is necessary when the remaining team is not contributing enough.
(2) The parade of points is necessary because the opposition is scoring against UCONN at unaccustomed levels.
(3) The parade of points is happening because Napheesa and KLS are playing high levels of minutes that were unnecessary when KML, Stewie, Stef, Morgan, and Mo were controlling the action.
(4) The points will be missed next year every bits a much as the shutdown defense of Kia and Gabulous were missed this year.

Before this year they played with 4 other All-Americans. Stewie, MoJeff, Tuck, Gabby. Not to mention Kia & Azura. So lack of contribution around them is completely false.

They were apart of the greatest team in UConn history their freshman year. It included Six 1st Team All-Americans, 1 NPOY & 2 DPOY. But you’re right, they’re able to stat stuff because of lack of talent around them.

 

[warbler1055]

I just hate to see them graduate and go!!!!