BabHorn
10,000+ Posts
Tuesday, Nov. 17, the Texas Longhorns and the Connecticut Huskies will square off for the fifth time. UConn is 4-0 in this series with the last game between the two knocking Texas out of the 2008 NCAA playoffs in the second round, 89-55. That game was played in the Huskies backyard, Bridgeport. This one will take place just down the road from the Texas campus in San Antonio. Four Horns are back for the rematch while five UConn players return. Earnie and Brit started in that game with Kat and Kristen also seeing action. For UConn, Maya Moore (#23, 6-0 Jr. F) got a double double in her second NCAA game. Tina Charles(#31, 6-4 Sr. C) notched 10 pts. while Kaili McLaren (#41, 6-2 Sr. F) started and Jacquie Fernandes( #13, 5-9 Sr. G) and Meghan Gardler (@22, Sr. F) played. Lorin Dixon(#30, 5-4 Jr. G) is a junior, same as Moore but does not show up on the box score. For Texas, Erika, now a senior, did not play due to an injury earlier in the season. Except for Kat, Maya and Lorin, everyone that played in that game is a senior.
UConn is returning four starters from an undefeated national championship team. Texas returns three starters from a team that went one and out in the NCAAs. Both teams will be breaking in new PGs. Both will come into the game at 1-0 after Texas defeated UT-San Antonio 71-60 Friday and UConn ran over Northeastern of the Colonial Athletic Association 105-35 on Saturday.
UConn’s Renee Montgomery had this to say about Texas prior to that March 25, 2008 game: “We know they’re very athletic. They like to push the ball, and they’re very aggressive.“ That hasn’t changed. If anything, this Longhorn team two years later does that more and better. The Huskies also like to run so this game could come down to who controls the boards and and forces TOs. With UConn’s Dixon likely out due to hamstring problems, both teams will have ten players to work with. No player foe either team played less than 13 minutes. For UConn, post McLaren is recovering from a right twisted ankle suffered in Friday’s practice and did not play Saturday although she is projected to be able to play Tuesday.
When ESPN listed the top five players at each position, UConn landed three players among those fifteen: Moore at SF (she actually plays inside for UConn), Charles at C, and Hayes at SG. No Texas player made the cutoff. There is no question that Charles is one of the premier post players in the nation and that Moore is just about a lock to repeat as NPOY. Heather Buck (#21, 6-3 RS Fr. C/F) and McLaren provide depth inside. Texas will counter with Ashley and Cokie, a pair of 6-4 posts. Both are good shot blockers who will need to play smart and stay out of foul trouble. Ashley has improved offensively over the summer, most noticeably in her FT shooting.
On paper, this game belongs to UConn. On the court, Texas has a chance to knock off the Huskies. Perhaps not much of one, but they do have a chance. If they can hit their shots and play defense as they are capable of, they will push UConn and could be in possible to upset the Huskies. Bench players for both will be used often and for extended minutes. The benches are experienced and ready to contribute. UConn will have a height advantage in the backcourt. In the front court, they are evenly matched up height wise.
Speed and quickness should be evident on both sides. Composure will be important for the Horns. If they can maintain it, this should be an excellent game. If not, UConn will blow out the Horns. Both teams will be looking to use their defense to create TOs to set up fast break points. Look for lots of tipped balls and physical play inside. If Texas can rebound and Ashley and Cokie keep out of foul trouble, the Horns could pull off the upset.
I’m expecting a close game. The Horns are deeper and healthier than two years ago. Both teams come in very experienced with some outstanding freshmen. Texas has something to prove while UConn is looking to extend their unbeaten string.Based on the first game starters, projected starters for Tuesday game are:
[pre] Texas UConn
PG Ashleigh (5-8) Caroline Doty(#5, 5-10 Soph. G)
SG Brittainey (6-0) Tiffany Hayes(#3, 5-10 Soph. G)
SF Kat(6-2) Kalana Greene (#32, 5-10 Sr. G)
PF Earnie(6-1) Moore
C Ashley(6-4) Charles
TEAM STATISTICS UT UConn
--------------------------------------------------
SCORING................. 71 105
Points per game....... 71.0 105.0
FIELD GOALS-ATT......... 26-62 42-70
Field goal pct........ .419 .600
3 POINT FG-ATT.......... 3-17 10-25
3-point FG pct........ .176 .400
3-pt FG made per game. 3.0 10.0
FREE THROWS-ATT......... 16-24 11-18
Free throw pct........ .667 .611
F-Throws made per game 16.0 11.0
REBOUNDS................ 43 59
Rebounds per game..... 43.0 59.0
Rebounding margin..... +0.0 +46.0
ASSISTS................. 14 25
Assists per game...... 14.0 25.0
TURNOVERS............... 16 16
Turnovers per game.... 16.0 16.0
Turnover margin....... +1.0 +2.0
Assist/turnover ratio. 0.9 1.6
STEALS.................. 11 12
Steals per game....... 11.0 12.0
BLOCKS.................. 6 1
Blocks per game....... 6.0 1.0
SCORE BY PERIODS: 1st 2nd Total
------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Texas.................... 28 43 - 71
Connecticut.............. 69 36 - 105 [/pre]
The game will be on ESPN2 at about 8:30pm. KVET 1300 AM radio will carry the game in the Austin area.
Texas Tech and Tennessee will kickoff the double header at 6pm. That game is on ESPNU.
Everyone have a safe trip and enjoy San Antonio.
UConn is returning four starters from an undefeated national championship team. Texas returns three starters from a team that went one and out in the NCAAs. Both teams will be breaking in new PGs. Both will come into the game at 1-0 after Texas defeated UT-San Antonio 71-60 Friday and UConn ran over Northeastern of the Colonial Athletic Association 105-35 on Saturday.
UConn’s Renee Montgomery had this to say about Texas prior to that March 25, 2008 game: “We know they’re very athletic. They like to push the ball, and they’re very aggressive.“ That hasn’t changed. If anything, this Longhorn team two years later does that more and better. The Huskies also like to run so this game could come down to who controls the boards and and forces TOs. With UConn’s Dixon likely out due to hamstring problems, both teams will have ten players to work with. No player foe either team played less than 13 minutes. For UConn, post McLaren is recovering from a right twisted ankle suffered in Friday’s practice and did not play Saturday although she is projected to be able to play Tuesday.
When ESPN listed the top five players at each position, UConn landed three players among those fifteen: Moore at SF (she actually plays inside for UConn), Charles at C, and Hayes at SG. No Texas player made the cutoff. There is no question that Charles is one of the premier post players in the nation and that Moore is just about a lock to repeat as NPOY. Heather Buck (#21, 6-3 RS Fr. C/F) and McLaren provide depth inside. Texas will counter with Ashley and Cokie, a pair of 6-4 posts. Both are good shot blockers who will need to play smart and stay out of foul trouble. Ashley has improved offensively over the summer, most noticeably in her FT shooting.
On paper, this game belongs to UConn. On the court, Texas has a chance to knock off the Huskies. Perhaps not much of one, but they do have a chance. If they can hit their shots and play defense as they are capable of, they will push UConn and could be in possible to upset the Huskies. Bench players for both will be used often and for extended minutes. The benches are experienced and ready to contribute. UConn will have a height advantage in the backcourt. In the front court, they are evenly matched up height wise.
Speed and quickness should be evident on both sides. Composure will be important for the Horns. If they can maintain it, this should be an excellent game. If not, UConn will blow out the Horns. Both teams will be looking to use their defense to create TOs to set up fast break points. Look for lots of tipped balls and physical play inside. If Texas can rebound and Ashley and Cokie keep out of foul trouble, the Horns could pull off the upset.
I’m expecting a close game. The Horns are deeper and healthier than two years ago. Both teams come in very experienced with some outstanding freshmen. Texas has something to prove while UConn is looking to extend their unbeaten string.Based on the first game starters, projected starters for Tuesday game are:
[pre] Texas UConn
PG Ashleigh (5-8) Caroline Doty(#5, 5-10 Soph. G)
SG Brittainey (6-0) Tiffany Hayes(#3, 5-10 Soph. G)
SF Kat(6-2) Kalana Greene (#32, 5-10 Sr. G)
PF Earnie(6-1) Moore
C Ashley(6-4) Charles
TEAM STATISTICS UT UConn
--------------------------------------------------
SCORING................. 71 105
Points per game....... 71.0 105.0
FIELD GOALS-ATT......... 26-62 42-70
Field goal pct........ .419 .600
3 POINT FG-ATT.......... 3-17 10-25
3-point FG pct........ .176 .400
3-pt FG made per game. 3.0 10.0
FREE THROWS-ATT......... 16-24 11-18
Free throw pct........ .667 .611
F-Throws made per game 16.0 11.0
REBOUNDS................ 43 59
Rebounds per game..... 43.0 59.0
Rebounding margin..... +0.0 +46.0
ASSISTS................. 14 25
Assists per game...... 14.0 25.0
TURNOVERS............... 16 16
Turnovers per game.... 16.0 16.0
Turnover margin....... +1.0 +2.0
Assist/turnover ratio. 0.9 1.6
STEALS.................. 11 12
Steals per game....... 11.0 12.0
BLOCKS.................. 6 1
Blocks per game....... 6.0 1.0
SCORE BY PERIODS: 1st 2nd Total
------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Texas.................... 28 43 - 71
Connecticut.............. 69 36 - 105 [/pre]
The game will be on ESPN2 at about 8:30pm. KVET 1300 AM radio will carry the game in the Austin area.
Texas Tech and Tennessee will kickoff the double header at 6pm. That game is on ESPNU.
Everyone have a safe trip and enjoy San Antonio.
