UConn stats.... Nika assist record countdown...

[DavidinNaples]

After the Villanova game, Nika has 625 career assists in 122 games. That places her in 5th place all-time at UConn. With 7 assists against Providence on Saturday, Nika would tie Renee Montgomery for 4th place. Here is the countdown figures:

4. Renee Montgomery (632) Nika needs 7 to tie.
3. Jennifer Rizzotti (637) Nika needs 12 to tie.
2. Diana Taurasi (648) Nika needs 23 to tie.
1. Moriah Jefferson (659) Nika needs 34 to tie.

So, Nika needs 35 assists in the 1 remaining regular season game, 3 possible Big East Tourny games and as many as 6 NCAA tourny games. Just seven more games at 5 assists each would give her the assist record at 660. (625 + 35 = 660) Very possible...

Go Nika..!!

 

[Inthepaint]

Tough but doable
Would love to see it happen
Don’t know about SIX NCAA tourney games, but it ain’t over till it’s over

 

[JoePgh]

In looking at these career assist numbers, we need to remember that Sue Bird only played three full seasons at UConn (plus about 6 games in her freshman year before she tore her ACL). Otherwise, her assist numbers would probably put her easily at #1 overall.

Also, given how much Diana scored, isn't it especially impressive that she is #2 on the all-time assist list?

Finally, remember that the #1 all-time assist leader will be playing in a CT Sun uniform at Mohegan Sun this summer.

 

[MSGRET]

After the Villanova game, Nika has 625 career assists in 122 games. That places her in 5th place all-time at UConn. With 7 assists against Providence on Saturday, Nika would tie Renee Montgomery for 4th place. Here is the countdown figures:

4. Renee Montgomery (632) Nika needs 7 to tie.
3. Jennifer Rizzotti (637) Nika needs 12 to tie.
2. Diana Taurasi (648) Nika needs 23 to tie.
1. Moriah Jefferson (659) Nika needs 34 to tie.

So, Nika needs 35 assists in the 1 remaining regular season game, 3 possible Big East Tourny games and as many as 6 NCAA tourny games. Just seven more games at 5 assists each would give her the assist record at 660. (625 + 35 = 660) Very possible...

Go Nika..!!

I would feel better if she averaged 7 assists a game, that way she does it at Gampel during the first two rounds for the UConn fans.

 

[Blond D.]

In looking at these career assist numbers, we need to remember that Sue Bird only played three full seasons at UConn (plus about 6 games in her freshman year before she tore her ACL). Otherwise, her assist numbers would probably put her easily at #1 overall.

Also, given how much Diana scored, isn't it especially impressive that she is #2 on the all-time assist list?

Finally, remember that the #1 all-time assist leader will be playing in a CT Sun uniform at Mohegan Sun this summer.

Lets also remember that Nika has played on injury depleted teams. If she had Azzi, Aubrey,Carolyn and/or Paige to score, she might have over 700 assists by now.

 

[Bald Husky]

She needs to have a few "big" games. Last game she had 5 at halftime and only got 2 in the second half. Its a lot harder to get the ball to Aaliyah because she is always double teamed, so the outside shooting has to get better. She needs a couple of 12 or 13 assist games, and Paige has to make them when she gets the ball from Nika. She can't just get 6 or 7 each game because a stinker will be coming up. She has to break the record by the end of the BE tournament, because we don't know how long we will last in the big tournament. She needs to average 9 in the next four games to break the record, and it would be so sweet to do it at Mohegan Sun.

 

[Huskee11]

She's got this. Assuming they get to the Sweet 16, hardly a stretch, she has at least 7 more games to get 35. She had 13 against Providence the first time around. She may see them twice in a row, since UConn could see them in first round of Big East tournament. First round of the NCAA is also usually a high scoring affair for UConn. With a little rest going into both tournaments, our shooters will be hitting more shots off of her outstanding setup feeds.

Bank on it.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Recall that Moriah was passing to Stef, Bria, Morgan, Stewie, Gabby, Lou, and Phee. All of them were All-Americans.

 

[DEpup]

Totally doable for her. I never doubt her ability to rack up assists.

 

[Blond D.]

In looking at these career assist numbers, we need to remember that Sue Bird only played three full seasons at UConn (plus about 6 games in her freshman year before she tore her ACL). Otherwise, her assist numbers would probably put her easily at #1 overall.

Also, given how much Diana scored, isn't it especially impressive that she is #2 on the all-time assist list?

Finally, remember that the #1 all-time assist leader will be playing in a CT Sun uniform at Mohegan Sun this summer.

I'm not really angry. I just disagree but ANGRY is the closest thing we have. We need a DISAGREE emoji.

 

[ConnMotors]

Ten are doable on Sunday at Providence.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Ten are doable on Sunday at Providence.

Depends on the pace of the game. I hope she gets 10+.

 

[#12in21]

In looking at these career assist numbers, we need to remember that Sue Bird only played three full seasons at UConn (plus about 6 games in her freshman year before she tore her ACL). Otherwise, her assist numbers would probably put her easily at #1 overall.

Also, given how much Diana scored, isn't it especially impressive that she is #2 on the all-time assist list?

Finally, remember that the #1 all-time assist leader will be playing in a CT Sun uniform at Mohegan Sun this summer.

All that you say is true. But as Geno mentioned all the people in front of Nika were playing alongside future Olympians. They all played seasons with multiple all-Americans to feed (Diana less than others although her highest assist season had several).

Nika leads everybody at 5.09 assists/game over her career and although she has been the starting point guard her upperclasswoman years ( although this year it has been somewhat shared) she only started in 15 games freshman year and 19 sophomore year.

So while qualifying her accomplishments in relation to the points you have raised, it's reasonable to assume as well, if she had played alongside the teammates the others played with her totals would be significantly higher.

 

[MSGRET]

She needs to have a few "big" games. Last game she had 5 at halftime and only got 2 in the second half. Its a lot harder to get the ball to Aaliyah because she is always double teamed, so the outside shooting has to get better. She needs a couple of 12 or 13 assist games, and Paige has to make them when she gets the ball from Nika. She can't just get 6 or 7 each game because a stinker will be coming up. She has to break the record by the end of the BE tournament, because we don't know how long we will last in the big tournament. She needs to average 9 in the next four games to break the record, and it would be so sweet to do it at Mohegan Sun.

What she needs is for her teammates to stop missing the bunnies. She would already have the record and on her way to 700 if not past it if they would make the layups.

 

[Skeets]

Even if Nika falls short of 660 she is in some very nice company.

With respect to the Sue Bird comment, I'm of the opinion that almost every record, if you poke and prod hard enough would need an asterisk. Some are obvious, see Roger Maris, and some are not so obvious. Life's too short to fret over it...

 

[Bone Dog]

If Nika breaks the record at Mohegan Sun it will be a lovely homage to Moriah. Wouldn’t it be sweet if Moriah could be there to congratulate her?

 

[donalddoowop]

Ten are doable on Sunday at Providence.

So, if UConn plays Providence Saturday and Sunday, I am sure she will break the record.

 

[Rowdy831]

In looking at these career assist numbers, we need to remember that Sue Bird only played three full seasons at UConn (plus about 6 games in her freshman year before she tore her ACL). Otherwise, her assist numbers would probably put her easily at #1 overall.

Also, given how much Diana scored, isn't it especially impressive that she is #2 on the all-time assist list?

Finally, remember that the #1 all-time assist leader will be playing in a CT Sun uniform at Mohegan Sun this summer. How many players has UConn had that will be the Defensive Player of the Year 3 times? She really has had a great career with the Huskies and she very well could have a good pro career too.

I have always been a Sue Bird fan but I don't put stock into losing numbers because of injury. Nika has overcome more as a player in her 4 years than any single person even though she hasn't been injured. Since she became the starter she hasn't played with a healthy team around her and those players being out of action has had a negative impact on her stats too. But like I said that is all part of the game and every record has its share of ifs and buts.

 

[HuskyNan]

The highlighted column is assists

 

[Redux]

Sue Bird only played three full seasons at UConn

At the time, great as she became, I really didn't think Sue Bird got back into full form until Senior year. Based on the promise of those first few games as a Freshman, I'm not sure what her UConn career would have looked like; it's scary even to imagine.

 

[huskeynut]

Let's enjoy and celebrate this run to the record.

Nika is finishing an amazing career at UConn. A crowd favorite and my favorite, what she has accomplished already is very impressive.

Nika's accomplishments do not in anyway diminish those ahead of her or those she has passed. It reminds us the great players of UConn's glorious basketball history.

I for one am going to miss that pony tail going down the court, that sometimes devil may care attitude, the defense that has garnered her 2 Defensive Player of the Year honors, but most of all her eyes, That look of pure intensity in her determination to win.

#10. Nika Muhl.

 

[PacoSwede]

nika likely will be the last husky woman to wear #10. it will be retired after sue becomes a naismith hall of famer soon.

looks good on them both. who else has worn #10?

 

[Skeets]

Yes, with the aforementioned asterisk