UConn/Notre Dame Prediction

[HoopsFan21]

Here's how we simply beat them bad.
Deny Mcbride's touches.
Shut down the inside with our Bigs and win the rebounds.

UConn by 20.

They contained McBride last year, so however they did it, they need to do that again.

 

[j66kicker]

Unless Reimer can play above the rim and block dunks, it's payback time for the disrespect to Breanna - UCONN 89-72. No mercy!

 

[ctfjr]

I'm in for 81-56

 

[Replicant]

UConn Dynasty 81 - UConn Wannabes (a/k/a 'Petty in Green') 67

 

[cardfan]

without Achonwa, UConn wins by 10. I don't have a horse in the race, but as a bball fan, I'm really disappointed we don't get to see ND with Achonwa, it would have been an epic battle. I know injuries are a part of the game and you have players out too, but it just sucks.

 

[toadfoot]

UConn 75-61

 

[Tenspro2002]

UConn 78-68 ND

This game is close for most of the first half, with neither team able to get much extension. We take a tenuous 38-36 lead into halftime. In the second half, we start to clamp down on D and methodically expand a 6-10-point lead. Most of the second half is played within this range, with mini-runs back and forth. We get just enough stops down the stretch, and a KML putback and-1 at the 1:30 mark pushes the lead to 9 and effectively ends the game. Free throws and a few meaningless 3's determine the final margin.

 

[Buzzyboy]

They don't have to same top offense without Achonwa.

I actually think that the Irish might be a little overconfident with the ease that they beat Maryland. Maryland was supposed to be strong inside and yet the Irish set an NCAA record for biggest rebound advantage over an opponent and held Maryland to the fewest rebounds in Final Four history. There's also the fact that UConn has struggled offensively, particularly in regards to outside shooting so the odds are they'll break loose tonight. I'm thinking maybe 81-65 for a final score.

 

[bertieboy]

Uconn by 20.

 

[Zorro]

For what it's worth, the Vegas wise guys have UConn by anywhere from 4 to 9 points, depending on the book.

http://www.sportbet.com/lines/basketball_college_women

 

[hussybulldog]

UCONN 76-52, Geno will not substitute the rest of the bench other than Stokes till the last minute of the game. Muffet will break down at post-game press and tell how much she was inspired by Pat.

 

[Rayvin56]

83-66. KML has a double-double.

 

[Henry]

I think it will depend on how the game is reffed. If it is reffed evenly we win 72-55. If not, we will be forced to play defensively in the first half and trade baskets with them so it will be close at halftime. Once the second half starts and the end is in sight it we will start to play looser and the final score will be 72-60 us. We have struggled in the last few games and have still won ugly by 15-19 points. It will be a battle and out toughest game of the year but we are used to playing them.

 

[rjuconn]

UConn 67, Notre Dame 59

Close game late into the first half, but another of the big UConn runs late in the first half stretches the lead out to about 8. Second half sees it get up to about 15 before a few late Irish buckets make it look closer.

Dolson with 18 pts, 14 reb in a big, big effort.

 

[Dove]

The final game with the best finish! 78 - 62 UConn all the way!

Air assault:

UConn - 82

Muffets - 65...maybe

 

[ChicagoGG]

For what it's worth, the Vegas wise guys have UConn by anywhere from 4 to 9 points, depending on the book.

http://www.sportbet.com/lines/basketball_college_women

Wow, I didn't know they had a line on the game in Vegas. We must be big time.

 

[doggydaddy]

Does anyone think that if ND played without Achonwa all season that they would have been undefeated with Reimer as the starting center?

I agree with Buzzboy. The Maryland win has many people thinking they will be just as good without Achonwa.

That makes no sense.

 

[hussybulldog]

Who do you guys think will be the MVP this time?

 

[chrissaran]

UConn 81-64.

 

[ChicagoGG]

To calm the nerves, I decided to look at the Terps, who got smacked by ND, and how they did against both UConn and ND.

UConn beat MD 72-55, with no KML or Morgan, I believe.
ND beat MD in conference 87-83. No big deal.
ND and MD did not play in the ACC conference, because MD lost to NC 73.70. That was a big deal.
ND beat MD 87-61 the other night. Soundly.

ND contained Alyssa Thomas. So did we. So I will take our 3 AP All Americans against their 2 AA's.

I then realized that as well as ND played against MD, it made no difference. Because we both kicked MD pretty badly, and ND was a full strength and we were not. I am feeling better now. Because ND looked good, doesn't mean they can do it against us tonight. But I will still watch with just one eye...because of mojo.

 

[caramel]

In this game,there are 3 things that will determine if Connecticut is the victor.

1. Steals and turnovers-Connecticut must control the ball on offense where turnovers are kept to a minimum.
Jefferson and crew must have very good steal and forced turnover execution.Making the guards of Notre Dame force passes,and steals without fouling will be a key to this game.

2,Rebounding-Connecticut can ill afford second shots,especially put backs,from the Irish.They must control,not only defensive rebounding,but also offensive rebounding to keep the ball in their hands.

3.Step up-Someone has to step up offensively,as Stewart did last year.Whether it is Stewart,KML,or Hartley,someone must have an MVP type game to open up the rest of the offense.

I believe 2 of these three things are very probable,and the third a good chance.

Even though it will not be a blowout like last year,my prediction is:

Connecticut - 68
Notre Dame- 61

MVP- KML

 

[Striper69]

Yeah ND had 50 rebounds in that game. I almost wonder if it would be better to start Kiah tonight instead of Kaleena just for that reason. Given UConn's poor outside shooting lately owning the interior is going to be very important assuming the refs allow the big bad bully Huskies to control the paint.

Maryland has a 6' 7" center too. She's from Havre de Grace (pronounced Have-Ray Dee Grace by about everyone LOL!) Maryland. I went to one of their games (Havre de Grace High School) last winter and don't remember seeing her play. I wasn't impressed by either team (don't remember the other team).
Maryland outrebounded the EDD Delaware Blue Hens at a game I attended last year. It looked like they were getting the ball every time someone missed.

 

[Icebear]

Actually, living in the area. It is more haver duh grace.

 

[Replicant]

Wow, I didn't know they had a line on the game in Vegas. We must be big time.

Good buddy of mine goes to Vegas 2-3 times a year.

He was there in the Spring of 2004 and had heard so much UConn Women blah, blah, blah from me over the years, that he went and found the only casino out there (small and way off the strip) that was taking bets on wcbb. I'd get a call before each successive round as DT progressed through the tourney wanting my affirmation to keep doubling-down on UConn. He was up over $20K betting on UConn going into the NC game.

I got the call before the NC game and told him never bet against Geno in the championship game and never, ever bet against DT in anything! He's primed to go and was in line to come away $40K richer off of UConn for the tourney, but never made it to the casino for the NC bet. Turns out he was with a group of guys that had rented a house and (1) car. They all headed for the strip, hijacking him and saying they weren't gonna drive 10 miles the other way to put a bet on a f#@$ing women's basketball game. He was not amused.

Of course, DT took care of business!

 

[Striper69]

Actually, living in the area. It is more haver duh grace.

I work with a Frenchman and he says it's pronounced like "Hov de Graw". He lives there now and I lived there last year. Lotta drinking and partying goes on there.