UCLA preview

BabHorn

BabHorn

10,000+ Posts
from texassports.com

Interesting data in the complete game notes:
Texas Frontcourt Wingspan:
Cokie at 76 inches tall: 82 inches
Imani at 79 inches tall: 80.75 inches
Anne Marie at 75 inches tall: 77 inches
Nneka at 73 inches tall: 79.5 inches

Based on studies I have read before, Cokie and Nneka have a wingspan well over what would be expected given their listed height.
 
UCLA Bruins game preview

Daily Texan story

Dec. 20, 1979 in a 74-51 Texas win in Corvallis, Ore

Texas will be looking to even their series with UCLA at 5 wins apiece when they meet in Houston this coming Saturday. The last two times these two teams played was around Thanksgiving in 2003 (Nov. 25) and 2004 (Nov. 28). Texas won the home game in 2003 89-58 and lost the return away game in 2004 by a score of 60-63. This series started in 1979 with two games on neutral sites and a third at UCLA. Texas swept those three games, 96-78 on March 2, 74-51 on December 20 and seven days later on December 27, 74-69. The next three games were played in Austin with the Bruins sweeping those three in 1980, 1992 and 1998. UCLA added a fourth straight win in 1999 at their place. The series resumed in 2003 and 2004 with each team winning at home, beginning with the Horns’ 89-58 win in 2003. The game will be played at a neutral site (Houston’s Reliant Stadium) for the first time since the first two games of the series.

UCLA brings a balanced scoring team to Houston with four players in double figures: Markel Walker (# 23, 6-1 Sr. G/F; 18.4 ppg), Alyssia Brewer (# 32, 6-3 Sr. F; 11.0 ppg), Nirra Fields (# 21, 5-9 Fr. G; 10.3 ppg) and Thea Lemberger (# 1, 5-7 Jr. G; 10.0 ppg). Fields has done her damage coming off the bench the four games she has played. Corinne Costa (# 34, 6-4 Jr. F/C) is the only Bruin hitting over 50% of her shots (7-13, 53.8%). Six others are hitting between 44% and 47.4%. As expected, the top four scorers are 1, 2, 4 and 5 in FGs attempted, ranging from Walker’s 74 to Lemberger’s 25. Atonye Nyingifa (# 11, 5-11 RS Jr. F; 9-41, 22%) is the other top threat to shoot the ball. Nyingifa hit double figures in pts in their last game even though she went 0-8 from the field. Her 10 of 10 from the FT accounted for all of her pts. Fields (3-8, 37.5%) has the top % from BTA although Kari Korver (# 2, 5-9 Fr. G) has made the most threes (5-16, 31.3%) on the team. Walker (3-15, 20%) and Lemberger (2-7, 28.6%) are the other main threats from BTA. UCLA has three players who are perfect from the FT line: Fields (2-2), Korver (8-8) and Kacy Swain (# 10, 6-3 Soph. F; 9-9). The four that have found their way to the FT line the most are not doing that well converting. Walker is 21-37 (56.8%); Nyingifa was at 50% before hitting 10 of 10 in the last game. That left her at 17-24 (70.8%). Brewer is 9-16, 56.3% and Lemberger is 6-11 for 54.5%. As a team, the Bruins are 80 of 123 for 65% after going 22-25 for 88% in their last game.

The UCLA posts are the top rebounders with Brewer pulling in 8.8 rpg, Walker 7.8 rpg, Nyingifa 7.2 rpg while Jasmine Dixon (# 33, 6-0 RS Sr. F) adds 6.3 rpg. The posts are grabbing 30.1 of the 48.4 rpg that UCLA is averaging. Dixon, however, has sat out the last two games with an injury. She may or may not be able to play against Texas. Odds are that she will probably be able to get some minutes. In addition to leading the team in scoring and being second in rebounding, Walker leads in assists (23), steals (21) and mpg (29.8). Mariah Williams (# 14, 5-4 Sr. G) is second in assists with 17. Brewer with 10 is the only other Bruin with at least 10 assists. Costa’s six blocks is half of the team’s 12 blocks so far this season. Brewer is second on the team in steals with 7.

UCLA has 13 players on the roster. Lemberger just came back after missing two games with a strained left knee. The Texas game will be her second game back. Dixon has missed the last two games, if I hear right, due to continuing recovery from an Achilles injury. Lauren Holiday (# 4, 5-8 Fr. G) and Madeline Brooks (# 22, 5-8 Soph. G) have played in 3 and 1 games, respectively. Still to see action this season is 6-1 Jr. G/F Rhema Gardner (# 20). Five players are averaging at least 24 mpg with another six averaging at least 12 but no more than 19 mpg. Eight players have started at least one game. Walker, Brewer and Williams have started all five games. Both Lemberger and Dixon have started all three games they have been available to play. While last Sunday’s game had a starting lineup of Walker, Brewer, Korver, Williams and Lemberger, it would not be surprising if Dixon replaced Korver in the starting lineup if she is cleared to play.
Nneka (201.4 ppg), Chassidy (17.6 ppg), Cokie (11.2 ppg), Chelsea (11.0 ppg) and Imani (10.0 ppg) are the five Longhorns averaging double figures. Of course, Chelsea has only played in one game, having missed the first four games. Really nice to have her back. Those five are all hitting over 50% of their shots with posts Nneka (60.6%), Imani (63.9%) joining Chelsea (66.7%) at 60%+. Cokie is at 57.5% while Chassidy is hitting 50.9% of her shots. Chassidy leads the team in 3pters made and taken (10-21, 47.6%). Chelsea has hit 2 of 3 (66.7%) while Nneka is 3 of 3 from BTA and Empress two of four. From the FT line, four Horns have gotten to the line at least ten times, led by Nneka’ 35 attempts (made 24, 68.6%). Chassidy leads the team in FT% at 83.3 (20-24).

Nneka is pulling down a double double. In addition to leading the team in scoring, she leads in rebounding at 14 rpg. Imani adds 7.6 rpg while Cokie, Anne Marie and Celina all contribute 5 or better rpg. Chassidy just misses being in that group at 4.6 rpg. Four players are in double figures in assists, led by Celina’s 30. Brady is second on the team with 14 assists, Imani leads the posts with 12 and Ashley has 11 assists. Imani (18), Nneka (10) and Cokie (10) lead the team in blocks. Ten of the 11 players that have gotten into games have at least one steal, led by Celina with 11. Empress and Chassidy are second with eight steals.

The Horns have 14 players listed on the roster. Ten have been healthy enough to play the first four games. In the last game, Chelsea played in her first game while Empress had to sit out. Two others, Chassidy and Cokie, suffered concussions during the game and are day to day. So the players available are a bit fluid, either as low as 8 or up to 11. I’m hoping for 11 healthy players. Nine of the 11 are averaging double digit minutes, with Celina’s 29.6 mpg topping the squad. Nneka (29.2 mpg), Chassidy (27.8 mpg), Empress (24.0 mpg) and Cokie (20.6 mpg) are the others averaging over 20 mpg. Imani is poised to join that 20+mpg group as she is currently averaging 19.8 mpg.

[pre]
Texas UCLA
Nneka (6-1 Soph. F) Walker (6-1 Sr. G/F)
Cokie (6-4 Sr. P) Brewer (6-3 Sr. F)
Empress (5-7 Fr. G) Lemberger (5-7 Jr. G)
Celina (5-8 Fr. G) Williams (5-4 Sr. G)
Chassidy (5-10 Jr. G) Korver (5-9 Fr. G) [/pre]

Watching Nneka and Walker go at each other should be worth the price of admission. Walker has experience, Nneka has blossomed so far this season. Both are capable of hitting the three and are strong inside. Both are strong rebounders. Another story to watch is who wins the post battle aside from Nneka vs Walker. Both teams are big and strong inside, with each having a rotation of four to five posts to throw into the fray. The game on the perimeter could be as compelling. Dixon’s availability could swing the edge to UCLA a bit depending on her effectiveness coming back from a leg/knee? injury. Lemberger will be the best PG Texas has faced this season. I would love to see Empress and Fields going at each other on both ends. Both have exceptional quickness and speed. For UCLA, the question is who can match up with Chassidy. Dixon might be able to, but is coming off a leg/knee injury that kept her out the last two games. For Texas, the question is whether Empress will be cleared to play after missing the last game with a foot injury. And how much time will Chelsea be able to play. She was quite effective in her first action of the seasonbut played only eight minutes. She did score 11 pts. Excellent pts per minute average.
biggrin.gif
Brewer is a big body, with good height (6-3) and with some weight on her. A couple of times, Loyola Marymount players bounced off of her as they tried to impede her progress to the basket. Make no mistake, thought, she’s pretty nimble inside. She also helps to bring the ball up the court or at least did during the Loyola Marymount game. She has some nice ballhandling skills for a post. She hit 86% from FT line in that game vs 56% for the season. Coach Close mentioned that she wants to see UCLA go inside successfully, rebound and defend. Sounds like our game plan as well. Of course, both teams are going to run, given a chance.
[pre]
TEAM STATISTICS UT UCLA
--------------------------------------------------
SCORING................. 395 367
Points per game....... 79.0 73.4
Scoring margin........ +28.4 +8.2
FIELD GOALS-ATT......... 149-320 136-329
Field goal pct........ .466 .413
FGs made per game..... 29.8 27.2
FGs att per game...... 64.0 65.8
2 POINT FG-ATT.......... 129-256 121-280
2-point FG pct........ .504 .432
2-pt FG made per game. 25.8 24.2
2-pt FG att per game.. 51.2 56.0
3 POINT FG-ATT.......... 20-64 15-49
3-point FG pct........ .313 .306
3-pt FG made per game. 4.0 3.0
3-pt FG att per game.. 12.8 9.8
FREE THROWS-ATT......... 77-118 80-123
Free throw pct........ .653 .650
F-Throws made per game 15.4 16.0
FTs att per game...... 23.6 24.6
REBOUNDS................ 269 242
Off. Rebs. Per game... 20.2 19.8
Def. Rebs. Per Game... 33.6 28.6
Rebounds per game..... 53.8 48.4
Rebounding margin..... +20.8 +10.4
ASSISTS................. 86 78
Assists per game...... 17.2 15.6
TURNOVERS............... 106 89
Turnovers per game.... 21.2 17.8
Turnover margin....... -2.0 +1.8
Assist/turnover ratio. 0.8 0.9
STEALS.................. 55 49
Steals per game....... 11.0 9.8
BLOCKS.................. 42 12
Blocks per game....... 8.4 2.4
ATTENDANCE.............. 12619 7626
Home games-Avg/Game... 3-4206 4-1906

SCORE BY PERIODS: 1st Ave. 2nd Ave. Total Ave.
------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----
Texas.................... 203 40.6 192 38.4 395 79.0
UCLA..................... 166 33.2 201 40.2 367 73.4 [/pre]



The teams have similar stats in many areas, including shooting percentages and rebounding. Where Texas has an edge is their rebounding margin and in shots blocked. In looking at the toughest games to date for each, Texas has defeated St. John’s while UCLA has lost to Norte Dame. Both teams have players injured, coming off injuries. Texas has just gotten Chelsea back while Empress sat out the last game. Cokie and Chassidy exited that last game for Texas with concussions. The availability of those three is still up in the air. UCLA had Dixon sit out her second straight game. Lemberger played for the first time in three games in the Bruins’ last game. Both she and Chelsea will have one game under their belts coming off injuries. Both teams have freshmen playing important minutes, Korver and Fields for UCLA and Empress, Imani and Celina for Texas. Both have key players coming off injuries: Lemberger and Dixon for UCLA and Empress, Chelsea, Chassidy and Cokie for Texas. Still to see action for Texas is Kayla, Gigi and Ro.

This should be an up and down game with both willing to run. Both are capable of playing half court if needed. With both able to rebound so well, the game could also be a bruising half court battle. It should be an entertaining game. Good thing I have a friend that has the Longhorn network so I can watch this.

The game will be available on the LHN and on radio on KVET 1300 AM. Tipoff will be at 1:30 PM CST.
 
National Stats for UCLA and Texas through 12/02/2012:INDIVIDUAL STATS:PPG: #17, Nneka Enemkpali, Texas, 21.4 ppgRPG: Tied for #2, Nneka Enemkpali, Texas, 14.0 rpgAPG: T for #23m Celina Rodrigo, Texas, 6.0apgBPG: #6, Imani McGee-Stafford, Texas, 3.60 bpgSPG: #5, Markel Walker, UCLA, 4.20 spgFG%--minimum 5 made per game: #18 Nneka Enemkpali, Texas So. 60.6%3PT FG%--minimum 2 made per game:
#19, Chassidy Fussell, Texas, 47.6%
DOUBLE DOUBLES:
Tied for #8, Nneka Enemkpali, Texas, 5

TEAM STATS:
Scoring Offense:
#12, Texas , 79.0 ppg
Scoring Defense:
#24, Texas, 50.6 ppg
Scoring Margin:
Tied for #5, Texas, 28.4 ppg
FG%:
#13, Texas, 46.6%
FG% Defense:
#3, Texas, 28.8%
Rebound Margin:
#2, Texas, 20.8 rpg
#18, UCLA, 10.8rpg
APG:
#21, Texas, 17.2 apg
Blocks Per Game:
#1, Texas, 8.4 bpg

BIG 12 STATS:
INDIVIDUAL STATS:
Scoring:
#1.Enemkpali, Nneka-UT...... 21.4 ppg
#5.Fussell, Chassidy-UT..... 17.6 ppg
#19.Reed, Cokie-UT...........11.2 ppg
#30.McGee-Stafford,Imani-UT.. 10.0 ppg
Rebounding
#1.Enemkpali, Nneka-UT......14.0 rpg
#5.McGee-Stafford,Imani-UT..7.6 rpg
FG%
#2.McGee-Stafford,Imani-UT.. .639%
#4.Enemkpali, Nneka-UT...... .606%
#11.Reed, Cokie-UT........... .575%
Assists
#4.Rodrigo, Celina-UT....... 6.00 apg
Tied for #12.Davenport, Empress-UT.... 3.00 apg
[ b]FT%
#5.Fussell, Chassidy-UT..... .833%
Steals
#7.Rodrigo, Celina-UT....... 2.20 spg
Tied for #12.Davenport, Empress-UT.... 2.00 spg
3PT FG%
#1.Fussell, Chassidy-UT..... .476%
3PT FGs Made
Tied for #6.Fussell, Chassidy-UT..... 2.00
Blocks
#2.McGee-Stafford,Imani-UT.. 3.60 bpg
Tied for #4.Reed, Cokie-UT........... 2.00 bpg
& Enemkpali, Nneka-UT...... 2.00 bpg
A/TO Ration
#3.Rodrigo, Celina-UT....... 2.31
Tied for #11.Davenport, Empress-UT.... 1.00
Offensive Rebounds
#1.Enemkpali, Nneka-UT...... 5.40 orpg
#3.McGee-Stafford,Imani-UT.. 3.60 orpg
#15.Reed, Cokie-UT........... 2.40 orpg
Defensive Rebounds
#1.Enemkpali, Nneka-UT......8.60 drpg
#8.Rodrigo, Celina-UT....... 5.20 drpg
Tied for #15.McGee-Stafford,Imani-UT.. 4.00 drpg
& Hartung, Anne Marie-UT... 4.00 drpg
 
Yeah, I had to wait til AAS game preview came out before finding out about Chelsea since I don't have the LHN. Chassidy and Cokie. Head injuries, sheech.

It's gonna get interesting if Chas and Cokie are held out as well as Chelsea. Not too-oo worried about the post play as much as the scoring from the perimeter if that happens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top