UConn-Maryland game preview

[HuskyNan]

doggydaddy returns

 

[connboy77]

doggy, excellent analysis!

 

[Biff]

 

[msf22b]

Quite splendid and well written

 

[OneTrickPony]

Nice job, DD...I expect this to be a great game and good preparation for the physicality of ND down the line...

 

[Teacherdeb]

Thank you, DD- I feel so much better after your astute analysis!

 

[Wbbfan1]

Maryland's strength matches up with UConn's strength: The Front Court Players. Maryland doesn't have the guards that can take advantage of UConn's guards, so DD is correct when he writes, should be a double digit win by UConn. Good Analysis by DD

 

[semper]

All eyes will be on Stewie in this one...does she or doesn't she?

 

[tomcat]

Absolutely first-rate alliteration regarding Tuck. Not to be missed!

 

[OneTrickPony]

Absolutely first-rate alliteration regarding Tuck. Not to be missed!

"Posterior positioning"...?

 

[winlots]

DD - pursuit to the positive payoff of the posterior position, I'm prompted to postulate that your predictions present as practically perfect. Plentiful praise professed.

 

[ChicagoGG]

Wise you are, DD!

 

[Bestiarius]

doggydaddy - Best basketball analyst anywhere. Thanks for the hard work and skill.

 

[Tonyc]

Great job Doggy. Im picking UConn by 20+ in both games. This team is peaking and more importantly the underclassman look comfortable and confident. We look to be over the injuries and flu and almost 100% healthly. Its coming together at the right time. A little later in the season then we thought but still the right time. UConn has the defense and a better defense then any of the team left except for maybe Baylor. UConn has depth in the middle and a couple of go to players.

This weekend will be exciting at Harbor Yard. More exciting for me is to see what Geno has done with UConns defense that imo opinion will drop a blanket on MDs offense. I expect nothing more then a suffacating defense.

Breanna has arrived. Her game in the BE finals againest ND was her breakout game and a confidence builder. Her game againest Vandy showed me it wasnt a one nite wonder. She can be the difference.

Bria is a big game player. When the pressure is on she comes through. This weekend will be her test and I am confident she will have a great weekend. IMO Bria and Breanna are the means to the end for a National Championship.

Still its goning to come down to defense, and our bench is deep with talent. MDs is very short with players playing out of position at times because of the lack of a bench.

I dont see MD having a chance in this game. UConn 84 MD 56.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Great job Doggy. Im picking UConn by 20+ in both games. This team is peaking and more importantly the underclassman look comfortable and confident. We look to be over the injuries and flu and almost 100% healthly. Its coming together at the right time. A little later in the season then we thought but still the right time. UConn has the defense and a better defense then any of the team left except for maybe Baylor. UConn has depth in the middle and a couple of go to players.

This weekend will be exciting at Harbor Yard. More exciting for me is to see what Geno has done with UConns defense that imo opinion will drop a blanket on MDs offense. I expect nothing more then a suffacating defense.

Breanna has arrived. Her game in the BE finals againest ND was her breakout game and a confidence builder. Her game againest Vandy showed me it wasnt a one nite wonder. She can be the difference.

Bria is a big game player. When the pressure is on she comes through. This weekend will be her test and I am confident she will have a great weekend. IMO Bria and Breanna are the means to the end for a National Championship.

Still its goning to come down to defense, and our bench is deep with talent. MDs is very short with players playing out of position at times because of the lack of a bench.

I dont see MD having a chance in this game. UConn 84 MD 56.

I keep hearing Bria is a big game player and yet as many times as I've I heard it leading into a game this year, the results have not been there. In her first two years she did seem to have the tendency to come up big in more important games but that characteristic hasn't really surfaced at all this year, to my recollection. I am quite pleased that the freshmen have picked the last couple of weeks to really start asserting themselves more. It's a long time coming as has been mentioned but better late than never. I personally think UConn's defense will crush Maryland and it won't be much of a contest but I do remember that the ref's allowed Maryland and to a lesser degree UConn to get overtly physical and that really isn't the way any game, much less an NCAA tournament game should be officiated. I hope they make it known early that they won't allow that type play this time around. A little contact is fine but it was too extreme previously.

 

[jplotinus]

Thanks DD.

This is a recent starting 5, not seen much, if at all, during the season:
UCONN
Probable Starters
G – Doty 5’10” SR (3.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.4 apg)
G – Faris 5’11” SR (10.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.0 apg)
F – KML 6’ SO (17.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.4 apg)
F – Stewart 6’4″ FR ( 12.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, .9 apg)
C – Dolson 6’5” (14.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.1 apg)

And, with Hartley at 6, it means a once and perhaps future AA is first off the bench.

You know what, I'm here predicting a 20+ point differential, in favor of UCONN. Things seem to be coming together at the right time.

 

[CL82]

 

[easttexastrash]

This is an incredible opportunity for Stewart to prove herself and develop additional confidence. Her struggles have come against big, physical players so if she can handle the physical play of MD she will prove to be big trouble for the next THREE opponents.

 

[MilfordHusky]

We have KML and they don't. She's the successor to the great Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi.

 

[easttexastrash]

I love how Dolson looks like she is always having fun. She must be the team favorite.