Well we have a match-up between DePaul's high octane offense and UConn's depleted team. When described that way one might get the wrong idea...This is not going to be a match-up where DePaul runs all over UConn. UConn has improved its defense a lot since their stars went down. They are bringing the weak side help more often, they are closing out on the three point shooters more effectively, getting into the passing lanes and generally creating more turnovers. While UConn only averages 71 points a game since their stars went down they are also holding their opponents to only 57.6 points a game. DePaul's high octane offense has been cooking at 92.1 points per game however, DePaul allows their opponents to average 75.9 points a game.
This game will come down to UConn playing strong defense while being able to knock down shots. Even though Doug and Geno are gret friends, Doug Bruno's team will come ready to play as Doug would love to get a win against his nemesis UConn.
DePaul has a balanced potent offense with 5 players averaging double figures: DePaul's top seven players have averaged 90.7 points per game and 36.4 rebounds per game
Aneesah Morrow - 20.3 points per game and 12.5 rebounds
Sonya Morris - 18.0 points per game and 4.0 rebounds
Lexi Held - 13.9 points per game and 2.6 rebounds
Deja Church - 13.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds
Darrione Rogers - 10.5 points per game and 6.7 rebounds
Kiera Collier - 7.8 points per game and 2.1 rebounds
Dee Bekerja - 6.4 points per game and 3.9 rebounds
UConn's offense is a little more complicated in that its players are all being asked to perform at a different level since Paige, Azzi and Christyn aren't playing. I am not sure if Christyn will be playing this Wednesday or not. Obviously, this prognosis would be portrayed differently if Williams plays than if she doesn't. Since UConn's line-up is absent key players its usual high octane offense has been tamped down considerably and now depends on getting points off their defense. Points per game needed to be adjusted as per the last 6 games in order to account for adjustments made by the absence of Paige, Azzi and Christyn: The numbers below in parenthesis are adjusted numbers for the last 6 games. Over the last 6 games UConn's top seven players has averaged 79.9 points a game and 38.8 rebounds.
Caroline Ducharme - 12. 1 (18.6) points per game and 3.5 (4.6) rebounds.
Christyn Williams - 14.6 (17) points per game and 3.5 (5.3) rebounds
Olivia Nelson-Ododa - 8.5 (12.2) points per game and 10.1 (10.1) rebounds
Evina Westbrook - 9.5 (8.6) points per game and 3.9 (2.9) rebounds
Dorka Juhasz - 7.1 (9.3) points per game and 6.2 (6.3) rebounds
Aaliyah Edwards - 6.7 (8.1) points per game and 4.1 (4.8) rebounds
Nika Muhl - 3.1 (6.1) points per game and 3.2 (4.8) rebounds
I believe the important stat here is UConn holds teams to 57.6 points per game while DePaul's defense is less potent and allows its opponents to score 75.9 points per game. Also because Williams may be a no-show for Wednesday the prognosis must be scaled down and the margin of error for UConn is extremely small.
I am going to go with UConn: 71 DePaul: 67