Three Of The Top 7 Teams Lose Today | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Three Of The Top 7 Teams Lose Today

triaddukefan said:
Hopefully no reckless player from Syracuse (or any other school) injures Taylor again this season. I still say if she doesn't get injured, we make the NCAA's last year. As you know, this year is a different team, and Lawson is a better coach.. we are.... hungry and deep, and we are defensive minded. In our conference every game (except for vs Pitt) will be a battle, so I think we will be focused for every opponent.
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I'd really like to see Celeste get the season her talents deserve.
 
not sold on Duke yet, seen this movie too many times, Louisville at home will tell me a lot. After an emotional win let's see if they can get this win.
 
triaddukefan said:
what movie?
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last year Duke starting 8-0 beat Iowa everyone thought they arrived, go on to be 17-13 and miss the tournament. I don't think they'll miss the tournament this season, but I'm not going to project them a top 20 team either.
 
socal613ws said:
last year Duke starting 8-0 beat Iowa everyone thought they arrived, go on to be 17-13 and miss the tournament. I don't think they'll miss the tournament this season, but I'm not going to project them a top 20 team either.
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Totally different team. Last year's team was weak defensively, Lawson admits that. Her exact quote was "We were a poor defensive team a year ago. That's my fault." It was a point of emphasis in the offseason to improve on that front. This year's team has legitimate depth, and our biggest weakness last year (post play) has improved with the new additions. My biggest concern after the preseason was 3pt shooting and FT's. The 3pt shooting has improved the past few games, but its still an issue. Our FT shooting is GREATLY improved. The team shot 66.2% last year... so far its at 76.5%. Our PG shot 68% last year, this year she is at 79.3. Taylor and Balogun are both shooting the FT's alot better.. our C is shooting at 80.0% from the line. There is really only one poor FT shooter on the team.. unfortunately its PG Oliver at 33.3% currently.

I think we make the NCAA's.. barring a slew of injuries. The remaining schedule (along with the others in our pod) is absolutely brutal. Louisville on Sunday.... Home and homes with VPI and Big Carolina, at ND, at FSU, a rematch with State in Durham, at UVA, at Ga Tech, home vs Miami. A 12-6 record might get you a double bye in the ACC tournament.
 
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Maybe it’s my irrational admiration for Celeste Taylor, but I think losing her to injury was a defining moment last season. If she’s available for the entire season now, I think that’s going to make a huge difference for Duke. I’d say it’s comparable to losing Paige Bueckers — no, Duke wasn’t nearly as deep as UConn then or now, but you don’t lose a player like Taylor with no consequences.
 
Bone Dog said:
Maybe it’s my irrational admiration for Celeste Taylor, but I think losing her to injury was a defining moment last season. If she’s available for the entire season now, I think that’s going to make a huge difference for Duke. I’d say it’s comparable to losing Paige Bueckers — no, Duke wasn’t nearly as deep as UConn then or now, but you don’t lose a player like Taylor with no consequences.
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Why would your admiration of Taylor be irrational? She's fun to watch, dating back to her time with Texas. Her injury did impact how Duke performed last season, no question about it.
 
Geno said earlier this season how hard it would be for any team to go undefeated in today’s landscape. Days like this happen more and more.
 
Two more in the top 12 lose in the early afternoon slot... UCLA and Iowa. Utah escaped
 
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dabears17 said:
Osborne did not play after hurting her shoulder Thursday against Oregon.
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I think I saw the hit online. It was a tough blow to her shoulder. Did they say how long she would be out? Hopefully she heals up quick.
 
JavaMan said:
Michigan State defeats #4 Indiana 83-78
Duke defeats #6 NC State 72-58
Clemson defeats #7 Virginia Tech 64-59

Now if we can manage to keep Marquette out of this story come Saturday night.......

Also, Florida State defeats #13 North Carolina 76-71

Posted this to the main forum, unable to delete this post, my bad
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Java, you beat me to the punch....................again. I was going to post this to remind everyone and illustrate how easy it is to lose to an "unranked" team, especially when you're short-handed. #20 Maryland and #7 Notre Dame caught us at precisely the right time. They didn't celebrate their victory any less vigorously because we had several starters out. At least our losses were to ranked teams. The Boneyard would explode if UConn would lose to an unranked team.

As bright as things looked prior to August 1 (the day Paige went down), there were few if any posters (as I recall) suggesting that this team would run the table this season. I looked at the box scores for each of those games. Can't tell if more players were available than were used.

In contrast to the fate other top 10 programs are suffering, UConn is doing quite well. It's not perfect at times, but the bottom line is UConn continues to win games they are supposed to. The sun is coming out and appears the worst is behind us. If the injury bug will pack up and move on, we'll be in good shape the rest of the way. Keep hope alive. :cool:
 
Congrats to Duke. Very solid defensive team. They won't be out of many games because of their terrific team defense.
 
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triaddukefan said:
Think we deserve to be in the top 20 now?
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In 14 games, Duke's only loss was to UConn 78-50 in the Phil Knight Lagacy Tournament in Portland the day after thanksgiving. They beat #6 NC St. Thursday, I'd say at least in the top 25. :cool:
 
triaddukefan said:
Think we deserve to be in the top 20 now?
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After holding off Louisville yesterday. I am right there with you. Coach Lawson can coach!! Elizabeth Balogun had a sweet game! I still love watching Celeste Taylor. That young lady is a natural born competitor. But mad props to Coach Lawson and what she is building in Durham. 13-1 or 14-1 and they aren't even ranked....yet. They making some noise and going to be a program. That ACC is going to be tough!
 
Duke deserves their new ranking based on their most recent performances.

I would note the last 3 games their 3FG went from 29% (for season to date) to 46%. Celeste Taylor's 3FG went from 30% (for career to date) to 53%.

Is that sustainable?

Duke 3FG Stats
1672697568065.png
 
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socal613ws said:
notice its barely 19 tho, its because they played nobody. The games vs UNC and ND will tell me more about the team.
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LSU played nobody...that has nothing to do with the ranking...it's a meaningless popularity contest, but yes after they have played almost their entire season, I hope you can figure out where they stand...lol
 
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