UConn Assist Record - Nika

[awhom111]

For some clarity on the post by @awhom111 that listed the averages Nika needs to assume prominence on either the UConn single season Assist leader board or the NCAA All-time single season leader board.

As stated, Sue Bird holds the current single season record of 231 Assists. As of today, in 17 games, Nika has 154 or 9.06 APG. To break Sue's record (231-154)/9.06=8.5 games. In theory she would break the record in the Creighton game at home on Feb 15 if she keeps up her current pace.

The "National Leaderboard" record is 367, followed by 355; 338; 322 and 321 to round out the top 5 all-time. Realistically, there are 13 regular season games left, a probable 3 BET games and then 4/5/6 NCAAT games. That means she has anywhere from 16 guaranteed games to 22 maximum games.
If UConn plays to the NCAA Final (22 games) and Nika keeps her 9.06 average, she will finish with 353 assists-#3 All-time!
21 games= 344 assists, still #3
20 games=335 assists, #4
19 games=326 assists, still #4

So my best guess is Nika has a real shot at #3 all-time, if CD and Azzi can come back to drain shots, she could vie for #2 and a very outside chance at the 367 that Courtney Vandersloot achieved in 36 games. She would need to average 9.69 assists per game to get the additional 114 assists plus her 154 for 368 assists.

Thanks for pointing out that I did not explain enough. I usually create these charts at the start of the season so I am more used to calculating from that perspective.

At her current season average, it would take 9 games to set the UConn record and 24 games to set the NCAA record, which is obviously more than the possible number of games. Here are the averages needed in remaining games needed to get the 75 assists for the UConn record and 211 assists for the NCAA record:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
15​	5.0​	14.1​
16​	4.7​	13.2​
17​	4.4​	12.4​
18​	4.2​	11.7​
19​	3.9​	11.1​
20​	3.8​	10.6​
21​	3.6​	10.0​

 

[f1f1ferrari]

Averaging 3.9 apg should be no problem - She's had 5 or more in every game she's played this year!

I think I jinxed her.....

 

[MSGRET]

I think I jinxed her.....

If you live around Storrs, go to Gampel and walk around the arena twice--Backwards--If you aren't close make it your house. You also must be chanting "Nika I'm sorry, Nika I'm sorry" while you're walking backwards.

 

[awhom111]

65 away from the UConn record and 201 from the NCAA Record, which would still be beyond her current pace. 8 games to set the UConn record at her current season average. Averages for future games needed depending on the number of games played:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
15​	4.3​	13.4​
16​	4.1​	12.6​
17​	3.8​	11.8​
18​	3.6​	11.2​
19​	3.4​	10.6​
20​	3.3​	10.1​

 

[fomalhaut]

I think I jinxed her.....

No harm, she was back to normal tonight.

 

[h2Oburyhuskyfan]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it is kind of confusing. So, the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to Covid. But UConn did get to win the Big East Tournament. Did UConn have anyone graduate in 2020? IIRC, Dawn Staley declared SC the unofficial NC, and that was Boston's freshman year.
2020-21 was Paige, Nika and Aaliyah freshman year. Paige won every NPOY award that she was eligible for. But that year, there were no fans allowed at the games, so the NCAA decided to give the athletes an extra year of eligibility.

For all players who decide to take that extra year, career records deserve an asterisk. For example, I believe Dorka is playing her fifth season, so her 1000 rebounds came in her fifth season. Caitlin Clarke may break the career scoring record in four years. If she decides to play a fifth year, she may set an unattainable career scoring record.

Historically speaking, in 1961, the American League expanded from 154 to 162 games, and from 8 to 10 teams, thus weakening each teams pitching staff. That is why they initially had an asterisk next to Roger Maris' 61 home runs, the last homer hit in the 162nd game. So much for the history lesson.

UConn had No graduates in 20-21

 

[h2Oburyhuskyfan]

Not to spoil the party but I could swear Nika was chewing gum at the beginning of the game. Saw it on the replay. Are Geno and Chris gone soft or what!!!!

….and a visible tattoo! Times are changing!

 

[Blond D.]

….and a visible tattoo! Times are changing!

Nika chews gum every game...and she chews it with a vengeance!!

 

[Buzzyboy]

Nika Mühl is on track to far surpass Sue Bird’s UConn WBB record of 231 assists in a single season before the NCAA tournament even begins.

Sue Bird in 2001-02 recorded 231 assists and 93 turnovers for 2.48 assist/TO ratio.
Nika this season has 154 assists 58 turnovers for 2.66 assist/turnover ratio.
I’m not saying Nika is better or worse. Just showing that for the amount of assists that Nika dishes out, her assist/turnover ratio is also pretty darn good. Not sure how many minutes Sue played vs. Nika.

Nika has 154 Assists with 13 games left in the regular season (if she can keep up her average of (currently 9.3)) will come out to 274 (totally obliterating Sue Bird's (Ironically #10) 231.

Disclaimer: This information was found on Facebook, it is NOT original.

I know one thing and that's that Nika is a very dynamic player and so very passionate .... I think the fact that people would try and compare her to Sue is a disservice to both her and Sue ... let's just say that they've both contributed wonderfully to making their respective teams so much better and have helped continue to make UConn women's basketball at the top of women's basketball

 

[Buzzyboy]

It is not a safe bet at all. She has to play defense and for as high a ranking of a recruit she is, she's having to learn a new system AND battle Ines for playing time initially. Given the depth of the back court, I think her time will be limited. A starting point for comparison would be Moriah Jefferson, who backed up Briana Hartley her freshman year and only had 17 min per game and 69 assists on the whole season. Given that Moriah was the only backup, I don't even think KK will come close to average that many minutes but it shows Geno may be willing to see what she can do IF she can play defense (which Moriah clearly could do).

Never say never because Maya came in and had a fantastic freshman year and I think she actually made All-American, as a freshman, didn't she???? I agree, it's not very likely but wouldn't that be nice if she was that good, that poised, that she was able to be a big contributor as a freshman?????

 

[Buzzyboy]

Loved reading through these last dozen or so posts, the depth of the analysis/discussion contrasted with the posts in early 'Nika chains' kind of parallels the evolution of Nika's game from freshman year through the present. She has grown way beyond 'the energy guy' that she envisioned herself as when she first arrived, to be a very focused, controlled leader. As Geno has stated, containing her explosiveness is totally against her very nature. She came to Uconn, self professing that she was a work in progress, an observation which she has continually repeated. It's not just talk, she choose the challenge of joining this team, facing off with possibly the best player of her generation in practice and being challenged by who she respects as being the greatest basketball coach in the women's game. She came to challenge herself to become the best player she can be and ready to put in the work.

Her maturity and focus coming out of this offseason has been a huge leap from the kid who left last spring. She said early in the summer session that it was time to grow up and she intended to reflect that when the season began. That happened in spades. She is still hungry and committed to grow her game and I am so grateful to be along for the ride. Loving, enjoying it along the way and can't wait to see where it takes her. As Geno said about Aaliyah and Nika early their freshman year 'there are kids who play basketball, and there are basketball players - these guys are basketball players'. He got that right!

Love this picture, there's a lot going on in that young woman's head View attachment 83187View attachment 83187

Isn't it amazing to see kids come in and evolve like she has???? It reminds us of the fact that there are so many talented kids out there who come into a program and never get better because of the arrogance that they've developed from being labeled so early, that they are the next best, instead of continuing to challenge themselves by going somewhere where they'll continue to challenge themselves, as Geno makes everyone coming to Storrs do ....

 

[ucbart]

Not to spoil the party but I could swear Nika was chewing gum at the beginning of the game. Saw it on the replay. Are Geno and Chris gone soft or what!!!!

Shea Ralph chewed gum every game of her college career, did she not?

 

[Inthepaint]

Shea Ralph chewed gum every game of her college career, did she not?

Shea always looked like she wanted to chew whoever she was guarding.

 

[awhom111]

I really needed the practice on chart-making because I was definitely messing up on the rows that I needed. 51 away from the school record means 6 games at her current season average. 187 for the NCAA record would still be out of reach at her current pace.

Here is the chart for averages over the possible remaining game numbers to break each record:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
12​	4.3​	15.6​
13​	3.9​	14.4​
14​	3.6​	13.4​
15​	3.4​	12.5​
16​	3.2​	11.7​
17​	3.0​	11.0​
18​	2.8​	10.4​
19​	2.7​	9.8​

 

[awhom111]

3 assists changes the pacing. At her current season average, it would take 6 games to get the 48 assists needed to break the school record.

Updated chart for average needed over remaining games depending on how many games that is:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
11​	4.4​	16.7​
12​	4.0​	15.3​
13​	3.7​	14.2​
14​	3.4​	13.1​
15​	3.2​	12.3​
16​	3.0​	11.5​
17​	2.8​	10.8​
18​	2.7​	10.2​

 

[awhom111]

39 away from the school record, which means 5 games at her current season average.

Updated chart for average needed over remaining games depending on how many games that is:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
10​	3.9​	17.5​
11​	3.5​	15.9​
12​	3.3​	14.6​
13​	3.0​	13.5​
14​	2.8​	12.5​
15​	2.6​	11.7​
16​	2.4​	10.9​
17​	2.3​	10.3​

 

[Aluminny69]

with her 9 assists, Nika is now in 8th place on most assists in a UConn season and moving up every game.
ASSISTS
1. 231 Sue Bird (2001-02)
2. 225 Crystal Dangerfield (2018-19)
3. 222 Jennifer Rizzotti (1995-96)
4. 208 Diana Taurasi (2001-02)
5. 204 Moriah Jefferson (2015-16)
6. 199 Renee Montgomery (2008-09)
7. 195 Moriah Jefferson (2013-14)
8. 193 Nika Mühl (2022-23)
9. 191 Moriah Jefferson (2014-15)
9. 191 Gabby Williams (2017-18)

 

[awhom111]

At her current season average, 35 would take a little more than 4 games.

Updated table:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
9​	3.9​	19.0​
10​	3.5​	17.1​
11​	3.2​	15.5​
12​	2.9​	14.3​
13​	2.7​	13.2​
14​	2.5​	12.2​
15​	2.3​	11.4​
16​	2.2​	10.7​

 

[awhom111]

7 more has her 28 away from setting the record, which would take 4 games at her current average.

Updated table:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
8​	3.5​	20.5​
9​	3.1​	18.2​
10​	2.8​	16.4​
11​	2.5​	14.9​
12​	2.3​	13.7​
13​	2.2​	12.6​
14​	2.0​	11.7​
15​	1.9​	10.9​

 

[awhom111]

4 more means 24 away from the school record, which would take 3 games at her current average.

Updated table:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
7​	3.4​	22.9​
8​	3.0​	20.0​
9​	2.7​	17.8​
10​	2.4​	16.0​
11​	2.2​	14.5​
12​	2.0​	13.3​
13​	1.8​	12.3​
14​	1.7​	11.4​

 

[oldhusky]

At this point the Uconn record is becoming close to a lock if she stays healthy, but the odds of leading the country in assists is probably moving in the other direction. I want to see her get both, but with the current starting five and only one great outside shooter, her assists per game are slipping off from earlier in the season and Catlin Clark is within easy striking distance of her.

That appears to be a two player race, but it would sure help if Azzi and Caroline can return soon.

 

[The deacon]

At this point the Uconn record is becoming close to a lock if she stays healthy, but the odds of leading the country in assists is probably moving in the other direction. I want to see her get both, but with the current starting five and only one great outside shooter, her assists per game are slipping off from earlier in the season and Catlin Clark is within easy striking distance of her.

That appears to be a two player race, but it would sure help if Azzi and Caroline can return soon.

A 10-assist game from Caitlin today vs. Rutgers would have Nika and her dead even through the 25 games each has played.

 

[Huskee11]

Nika was credited with 4 assists and 4 rebounds against Georgetown. I only watched the game once but I do watch her carefully, and I thought she had at least 6 assists and more than 4 rebounds. The official numbers seemed low.

 

[cferraro04]

Just imagine how many assists she would have if Azzi and Caroline didn't go down. The fact that she gets the assists that she does without them is amazing by itself.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[DrummerDee]

A 10-assist game from Caitlin today vs. Rutgers would have Nika and her dead even through the 25 games each has played.

And she's already at 8 at the half

 

[The deacon]

And she's already at 8 at the half

As it turned out, it was such a blowout Caitlin played just four minutes in the second half and finished with 10 assists (and a season-low 15 points). She and Nika are now tied for assists for the season in an equal number of games.

 

[awhom111]

2 more assists means she would still need 3 games to set the school record at her current season average.

Updated table:

Games Played	UConn Record	NCAA Record
6​	3.7​	26.3​
7​	3.1​	22.6​
8​	2.8​	19.8​
9​	2.4​	17.6​
10​	2.2​	15.8​
11​	2.0​	14.4​
12​	1.8​	13.2​
13​	1.7​	12.2​

 

[hoopsdiva]

with her 9 assists, Nika is now in 8th place on most assists in a UConn season and moving up every game.
ASSISTS
1. 231 Sue Bird (2001-02)
2. 225 Crystal Dangerfield (2018-19)
3. 222 Jennifer Rizzotti (1995-96)
4. 208 Diana Taurasi (2001-02)
5. 204 Moriah Jefferson (2015-16)
6. 199 Renee Montgomery (2008-09)
7. 195 Moriah Jefferson (2013-14)
8. 193 Nika Mühl (2022-23)
9. 191 Moriah Jefferson (2014-15)
9. 191 Gabby Williams (2017-18)

ESPN stats show Nika with 210 assists in 2022-23 (I'm 95% sure that includes her 8 assists today against Villanova). So that puts her in 4th place, ahead of DT, and 21 behind the single season record. I'm sure her teammates will do everything they can to help her out by making those bunnies. I know I'm rooting for her.

 

[SVCBeercats]

'm sure her teammates will do everything they can to help her out by making those bunnies. I know I'm rooting for her.

They could help her by not blowing so many layups.