Predictions for Big Sunday (Dec 2)

[DallasBUFan]

I say Notre Dame will win, however part of me thinks UConn can win. I am really split. Based on how well Oregon State played them. I don't see why UConn couldn't. As much as everyone hates to lose, it will be a good loss and a good one to learn from.

Miss State wins especially since Texas is missing Holmes, Prince, and Higgs.

SC home crowd plays a part, but I think Baylor wins by 10 or more. However, they have struggled at more guard heavy line ups so we shall see. They just aren't the Baylor team we are used to seeing and that has to do with the high turn overs due to lack of PG. They should win and better win.

 

[BobbyJ]

IMHO -Miss St just seems mentally tougher than Texas over the last few years. Miss St wins by 8 to 10. If Baylor can't deal with South Carolina then Baylor is not an elite 8 team. SC does not look good. I have seen a few games and there are problems on both ends of the floor. Can they get better? Sure. Losing to Drake proves the current problems. ND has the big edge for this game. IF (a big if) the refs give the calls to ND when they penetrate, then it is an easy ND win. If the refs let ND be aggressive on D with Uconn (without the foul calls) then ND wins going away. If UConn is not hitting their outside shots then it will be a plus 10 loss. We will know in the first 5 minutes. Just my humble opinion.
Fair game from refs and UConn plays their normal competitive game--then its a squeaker.

Good analysis. If the game is called fairly both ways it definitely comes down to UConn's outside shooting. If they choose to, ND is the first and most physically able team to negate Collier inside on offense. If they do, UConn becomes a perimeter team and lives and dies by their 3's because they're getting very little in transition against weaker teams, certainly won't against ND. IMO, this is a check 'em out game for UConn to try and figure out a way to beat ND in the tournament if they meet. Who knows, they might shoot 50% on 3's and pull it off.

 

[Ozimoto]

I don't think the Mississippi State Texas game will be close. At least a 15 point MOV. Baylor should be able to handle South Carolina, but both teams have underwhelmed. Still, I think Baylor wins be around 20.

UConn and Notre Dame. How will MW and CW handle the emotions of this game? Unfortunately, I think Notre Dame is the more experienced team and they will push the issue in the lane resulting in foul trouble for the Huskies. With Mabrey back they will also be able to hit enough from the perimeter to stretch out the zone making help defense in the zone more difficult. Double digit loss for the Huskies. Hope I'm wrong.

With the team Notre Dame is putting on the floor this year, I think anything less that a NC will be looked upon as an under achieving season and ND fans can go through the angst and misery that Husky fans have wallowed in the last two years.

 

[Roundball fan]

If UConn beats ND we are going to have to run the floor and shoot the lights out. I think our biggest problem will be can we rebound and get any fast breaks? I am hoping Christmas comes early this year! Mississippi St. should beat Texas and Baylor will beat South Carolina.

 

[HopJim]

Texas has not impressed, so Miss St wins their first test of the season. Really disappointed that Vic hasn't cranked up the schedule a notch.

Baylor has not looked at dominating as expected, but it's early and they are breaking in a new PG. South Carolina's struggles continue, but they will certainly be the best 4-loss team in the country at that point. I feel for South Carolina. Besides the Maryland loss, they were in each game, and their schedule was difficult.

Notre Dame beats UConn. The Irish are more experienced, and this UConn team needs some time to jell. Geno always has them ready, but I think there are too many factors that favor the Irish (experience, home court, tougher early schedule). If Mabrey and Shepard are not slowed by injuries, ND wins the early, less consequential game. But if they meet in the NCAA's, it will be in the FF or NC and who knows what happens then.

Agree. I get the Texas sports channels here in Dallas area and Longhorns have talent but the on court leadership lacking so far this year. Baylor has makings of Top 5 team but similarly have not demonstrated they can exert their will on Top 10 level teams. While I would normally expect a lot of creativity from Geno, predict he will "keep his power dry" for potential NCAA match up with ND. Vanilla UConn offense and defense still good for close game but ND at home with experience tough to beat (for now).

 

[WiseOne]

ND will not beat UCONN! Y’all kill me with this low energy. The way ND has been playing I would say they’re overrated and don’t care what y’all have to say about it. You’re worried about rebounding...so what! If the shots are made there’s no such thing as a rebound!

 

[Bama fan]

I don't think the Mississippi State Texas game will be close. At least a 15 point MOV. Baylor should be able to handle South Carolina, but both teams have underwhelmed. Still, I think Baylor wins be around 20.

UConn and Notre Dame. How will MW and CW handle the emotions of this game? Unfortunately, I think Notre Dame is the more experienced team and they will push the issue in the lane resulting in foul trouble for the Huskies. With Mabrey back they will also be able to hit enough from the perimeter to stretch out the zone making help defense in the zone more difficult. Double digit loss for the Huskies. Hope I'm wrong.

With the team Notre Dame is putting on the floor this year, I think anything less that a NC will be looked upon as an under achieving season and ND fans can go through the angst and misery that Husky fans have wallowed in the last two years.

Ah , the sweet bliss of Schadenfreude!

 

[bballnut90]

UCONN 83, Notre Dame 74

Mississippi State 75, Texas 61

Ok State 73, Tennessee 67

Baylor 82, South Carolina 63

 

[Reypl21]

ND will not beat UCONN! Y’all kill me with this low energy. The way ND has been playing I would say they’re overrated and don’t care what y’all have to say about it. You’re worried about rebounding...so what! If the shots are made there’s no such thing as a rebound!

ND has played some pretty decent teams so far. I think their 15-20 point wins over ranked teams are more impressive than 30-40 point wins over nobodies

 

[DallasBUFan]

UCONN 83, Notre Dame 74

Mississippi State 75, Texas 61

Ok State 73, Tennessee 67

Baylor 82, South Carolina 63

If you get most of these scores right, then you might want to buy a lottery ticket.

 

[donalddoowop]

ND will not beat UCONN! Y’all kill me with this low energy. The way ND has been playing I would say they’re overrated and don’t care what y’all have to say about it. You’re worried about rebounding...so what! If the shots are made there’s no such thing as a rebound!

What happens if shots are not made? It does not matter whether or not you care but ND is not overrated.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

UCONN by 5 in OT over ND The "kids" rise to the occasion
MissSt over TX by 12 Out-coached & out-played
Baylor over SoCar by 18 Not in same hemisphere with talent

 

[shizam]

It also doesn't help that Kalani is not playing like the Kalani everyone saw last year. I am hoping she gets past it, but we shall see. She is in charge of her own destiny this season. Kim is making it pretty clear if you don't wanna play like the AA that you are then you will sit and the freshmen will play.

Kim is still seeing Gulich in her dreams despite having Cox and Brown to work with. They were no match in crunch time

 

[Kallee]

ND 86 UCONN 78

 

[CMC'72]

Are UConn fans a little worried that Walker and Williams haven't played a game against a ranked opponent yet?

Yes, I am VERY worried because Walker and Williams haven't played a game against a ranked opponent yet.

Worried for their opponent. Very worried for their opponent. 'Cause these two women strike out when challenged. They are predators inside, and when pressed, they will, I predict based on what I know about them and have seen already, will eat their opponents alive.

 

[Carnac]

Scoop, I don't think UConn has the defense to hold Notre Dame to 64 points at home. That would be remarkable.

I'm counting on 4 things in this game,
1. Arike staying true to form and taking a lot of shots, missing most of them, providing UConn with lots of defensive rebound (possessions) opportunities (and cashing them in).

2. ND is not a prolific 3 point shooting team. They are a horrid 11-46 (23%) to date. This fact alone will help. Ogunbowale is their main 3 point shooter. She's only shooting 8/29 behind the arc (27.6%).

3. I'm hoping ND will come out "tight" to begin the game. Because of this being the biggest game on their schedule, and the importance of this game, and it's UConn on the other end of the court, knowing this is the best team they will play all year. They know that UConn can take their mistakes and turn them into points more than any other team they’ll play.

4. UConn will play their best defensive game to date. I know Geno will be stressing defense in every practice leading up to this game. UConn's defense is usually better than most other team's. I realize it's not what it was during the "Breanna Stewart era", but it's still pretty good, and getting better.

Ogunbowale is their leading scorer. If UConn can slow her down and keep her under 15 points, that will help. They've also got to keep Turner and Shepard in check, and minimize giving them easy uncontested buckets (put backs) under the basket. If Arkie goes off, or any of our players get in early foul trouble, and one of them has to sit more than 12 minutes during the 1st half, we're screwed. Pennsylvania held them to 77 points. I think UConn's defense is better than theirs. UConn was up at the half last time 41-34, but couldn't hold the lead.

UConn's players were tired (Lou was gassed, she played the entire game and Crystal was hurting - shin splints) and in foul trouble last time, which opened the door for ND's 91 points. The Irish were like sharks that smelled blood, they kept attacking UConn. I'm hoping fatigue won't be a factor this time, as I look for Geno to use his bench very sparingly. Camara will probably not be available for this game due to her recent injury.

ND was relentless last time, knowing UConn was in foul trouble and couldn't really challenge them in the paint. Gabby, Lou & Kia had 4 fouls, and basically had to put their hands in their pockets. Stevens had 2, but was on the bench the majority of the second half, and was the only reserve to get in the game (28 mins).

ND kept it close until the end where a shot at the buzzer made the difference. I don't think this will be a high scoring game. I think BOTH teams will be tight at the tip (sold out arena/nationally televised game) trying to feel each other out. Let's hope the referees let them play without blowing any "ticky-tack" fouls.

This game will mean more if played in March, but neither team wants to lose this game. There's a better than even chance they'll see each other again and the next meeting will have much more importance.

Post script edit: My wishs came true. Ogunbowale took 18 shots and missed 12 of them, and went 0-6 form beyond the arc for only 17 points.

I was correct about them being a horrible 3 pt shooting team. They were 1-12.

They were "tight" in the 4th qtr, they only scored 12 points.

UConn played a very good defensive game given the fact they were playing the best team they will play this year.

 

[donalddoowop]

Scoop, the key to slowing ND down is stopping Young, imo. If UConn had kept her in check last season, the game would not have been close. Thirty Seven points? No, no, no.

 

[IrishTiger]

I'm counting on 4 things in this game,
1. Arike staying true to form and taking a lot of shots, missing most of them, providing UConn with lots of defensive rebound (possessions) opportunities (and cashing them in).

2. ND is not a prolific 3 point shooting team. They are a horrid 11-46 (23%) to date. This fact alone will help.
Ogunbowale is their main 3 point shooter. She's only shooting 8/29 behind the arc (27.6%).

3. I'm hoping ND will come out "tight" to begin the game. Because of this being the biggest game on their schedule, and the importance of this game, and it's UConn on the other end of the court, knowing this is the best team they will play all year.

4. UConn will play their best defensive game to date. I know Geno will be stressing defense in every practice leading up to this game. UConn's defense is usually better than most other team's. I realize it's not what it was during the "Breanna Stewart era", but it's still pretty good, and getting better.

Ogunbowale is their leading scorer. If UConn can slow her down and keep her under 15 points, that will help. They've also got to keep Turner and Shepard in check, and minimize giving them easy uncontested buckets (put backs) under the basket. If Arkie goes off, or any of our players get in early foul trouble, and one of them has to sit more than 12 minutes during the 1st half, we're screwed. Pennsylvania held them to 77 points. I think UConn's defense is better than theirs. UConn was up at the half last time 41-34, but couldn't hold the lead.

UConn's players were tired (Lou was gassed, she played the entire game and Crystal was hurting - shin splints) and in foul trouble last time, which opened the door for ND's 91 points. The Irish were like sharks that smelled blood, they kept attacking UConn. I'm hoping fatigue won't be a factor this time, as I look for Geno to use his bench very sparingly. Camara will probably not be available for this game due to her recent injury.

ND was relentless last time, knowing UConn was in foul trouble and couldn't really challenge them in the paint. Gabby, Lou & Kia had 4 fouls, and basically had to put their hands in their pockets. Stevens had 2, but was on the bench the majority of the second half, and was the only reserve to get in the game (28 mins).

ND kept it close until the end where a shot at the buzzer made the difference. I don't think this will be a high scoring game. I think BOTH teams will be tight at the tip (sold out arena/nationally televised game) trying to feel each other out. Let's hope the referees let them play without blowing any "ticky-tack" fouls.

This game will mean more if played in March, but neither team wants to lose this game. There's a better than even chance they'll see each other again and the next meeting will have much more importance.

3 Point stats will get better with Marina back considering she’s the best 3 Point shooter on the team. But Jackie and Arike can also get hot from 3 from time to time.

 

[Carnac]

Scoop, the key to slowing ND down is stopping Young, imo. If UConn had kept her in check last season, the game would not have been close. Thirty Seven points? No, no, no.

That's true. Young killed us last time. Young WILL NOT have another 32 point game this time. I should have said 5 things I'm counting on.

 

[shizam]

You must have an issue with Baylor. Seems like anytime they are mentioned in your post it's negative.

Baylor has its moments. Like the Sweet 16 2 years ago they looked like the team to beat when they thrashed my team L’ville by 33. L’ville looked like child’s play for Baylor that day. That was a nice team with Prince AJones Wallace and Brown and Davis. They played a great game. Next game they lost to someone in the Elite 8. Morgan William ate Kristy Wallace alive and Kim tore into Wallace big time most of the game. I really liked Alexis Prince. Glad she found a way to make a WNBA team
Do I think Kim is a great coach. Heck no. A terrific recruiter absolutely

 

[pacific 44]

For anyone who gets these scores right,i wish you could have told us where the capitol of Massachussets and "Baby Stanford" were going way earlier.

 

[TARZAN22]

I pick.
Texas
N.Dame
Baylor

 

[Zinethar]

If UConn plays and shoots like today they could win by 10. If ND get home calls so the starting 5 have to sit ND wins by 15. I hope for a game well played by both teams with no terrible calls. ND is deeper and more experienced as a team. They have much more to lose. Therefore I predict 73-67 UConn.

 

[rjp172]

I'm counting on 4 things in this game,
1. Arike staying true to form and taking a lot of shots, missing most of them, providing UConn with lots of defensive rebound (possessions) opportunities (and cashing them in).

2. ND is not a prolific 3 point shooting team. They are a horrid 11-46 (23%) to date. This fact alone will help.
Ogunbowale is their main 3 point shooter. She's only shooting 8/29 behind the arc (27.6%).

3. I'm hoping ND will come out "tight" to begin the game. Because of this being the biggest game on their schedule, and the importance of this game, and it's UConn on the other end of the court, knowing this is the best team they will play all year.

4. UConn will play their best defensive game to date. I know Geno will be stressing defense in every practice leading up to this game. UConn's defense is usually better than most other team's. I realize it's not what it was during the "Breanna Stewart era", but it's still pretty good, and getting better.

Ogunbowale is their leading scorer. If UConn can slow her down and keep her under 15 points, that will help. They've also got to keep Turner and Shepard in check, and minimize giving them easy uncontested buckets (put backs) under the basket. If Arkie goes off, or any of our players get in early foul trouble, and one of them has to sit more than 12 minutes during the 1st half, we're screwed. Pennsylvania held them to 77 points. I think UConn's defense is better than theirs. UConn was up at the half last time 41-34, but couldn't hold the lead.

UConn's players were tired (Lou was gassed, she played the entire game and Crystal was hurting - shin splints) and in foul trouble last time, which opened the door for ND's 91 points. The Irish were like sharks that smelled blood, they kept attacking UConn. I'm hoping fatigue won't be a factor this time, as I look for Geno to use his bench very sparingly. Camara will probably not be available for this game due to her recent injury.

ND was relentless last time, knowing UConn was in foul trouble and couldn't really challenge them in the paint. Gabby, Lou & Kia had 4 fouls, and basically had to put their hands in their pockets. Stevens had 2, but was on the bench the majority of the second half, and was the only reserve to get in the game (28 mins).

ND kept it close until the end where a shot at the buzzer made the difference. I don't think this will be a high scoring game. I think BOTH teams will be tight at the tip (sold out arena/nationally televised game) trying to feel each other out. Let's hope the referees let them play without blowing any "ticky-tack" fouls.

This game will mean more if played in March, but neither team wants to lose this game. There's a better than even chance they'll see each other again and the next meeting will have much more importance.

Revisionist history. ND's starters played more minutes than UConn's starters. They were either all gassed or running on adrenaline. Both teams had injured players as most NCAA teams in every sport have at the end of the season. UConn had KLS and CD that you mentioned for sure and I imagine others too. ND had Westbeld injured an ankle in the 1st round, Mabrey's wrist was documented as injured during the TV coverage of the tourney, and Shepard turned an ankle that she had been dealing with most of the year during the FF game. That's not even mentioning the nagging injuries that they had throughout the season. The foul trouble is greatly exaggerated. Lou was in foul trouble, which Geno didn't/couldn't manage effectively. That's on him. Gabby and Kia didn't collect their 4th fouls until 1:40 and :38 in OT respectively and ND never tried to drive on or isolate either of them 1 on 1 once they got their 4th.

 

[WNBA 09]

Msst Thrashes TX by 20
ND beats UCONN by 10 due to foul trouble for 1 UCONN starter likely collier.
Baylor Beats SC by 16

 

[Stinger92860]

I’ll be pleasantly surprised should we win.

 

[DallasBUFan]

Baylor has its moments. Like the Sweet 16 2 years ago they looked like the team to beat when they thrashed my team L’ville by 33. L’ville looked like child’s play for Baylor that day. That was a nice team with Prince AJones Wallace and Brown and Davis. They played a great game. Next game they lost to someone in the Elite 8. Morgan William ate Kristy Wallace alive and Kim tore into Wallace big time most of the game. I really liked Alexis Prince. Glad she found a way to make a WNBA team
Do I think Kim is a great coach. Heck no. A terrific recruiter absolutely

Isn't that the same team that UConn lost to the next game and didn't even make it to over time at least?

 

[DallasBUFan]

Baylor has its moments. Like the Sweet 16 2 years ago they looked like the team to beat when they thrashed my team L’ville by 33. L’ville looked like child’s play for Baylor that day. That was a nice team with Prince AJones Wallace and Brown and Davis. They played a great game. Next game they lost to someone in the Elite 8. Morgan William ate Kristy Wallace alive and Kim tore into Wallace big time most of the game. I really liked Alexis Prince. Glad she found a way to make a WNBA team
Do I think Kim is a great coach. Heck no. A terrific recruiter absolutely

She must be the best NOT great coach to have won 3 National Titles within their bad coaching career.

 

[UConnCat]

She must be the best NOT great coach to have won 3 National Titles within their bad coaching career.

3?

 

[ABCDFE]

Just to add to what's already been said.

I believe that Uconn has to be aggressive against ND. Everyone needs to put pressure on ND defensively and either one draw contact and fouls or two make them work on defense where they are tired on the offensive end. I think that Arike and Young will get their points. But can you pressure mabrey since she's a defensive liability. I think CDangerfield should be able to go where she wants and set up the plays against Mabrey. If Williams and Walker can be aggressive and draw fouls on their opposing defenders then it will mean ND needs to go to a weak bench. As for the post, Sheppard and Turner will be tough to guard, but since Arike is such a ball hog, rebounding and second point chance need to be limited, meaning everyone needs to crash the boards.