SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT UCONN

With a current 14-0 won-lost record, the University of Connecticut women's basketball team is sporting a nifty 89-game win streak, the second longest of all time, passing John Wooden's Ucla Bruins record of 88 from 1971 to 1974 in the men's ranks, and are one shy of their own record of 90 ( 2008-2010) as the most in Division 1 college history.  Barring injuries, with their high level of play and a favorable upcoming strength of schedule they could shatter the record and be at 99 wins when they face South Carolina ( a very good team) on February 13th at home. Losing three star players from last year's undefeated team and no preseason All-Americans on the current squad, tempered expectations for the 2016/17 season, but they haven't skipped a beat so far. 

The Huskies played a difficult early season schedule beating Florida State, Baylor, Notre Dame and Maryland, the cream of women's basketball, with South Carolina next. As these same teams get better with more time to integrate transfers and freshmen into their systems, the next champion should come from this group.

The nucleus of this team is the hard-working foursome of Gabby Williams, Kia Nurse, Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson, whose total seems greater than the sum of the parts.  Very efficient and highly motivated they wear the UConn jersey with great pride. Averaging about 32 minutes per game, which is about 64% of the team's playing minutes they score 80% of UConn's points (about 65 points per game) with a 52.5% shooting percentage. Outside shooters, Nurse and Samuelson, have a 45% rate from behind the 3-pt line while inside players, Williams and Collier, score at a 59% clip.  Out-hustling opponents, playing good defense, taking care of the ball and making big plays are all in a day's work. Bad games are not in their system.  With a thin bench, only seven play against good teams. Gabby Williams, the 5'11" junior, averages 11.2 ppg in less than 30 mpg but leads the team in rebounds, assists and steals displaying very high-energy play and is probably the team's MVP. 

Gabby Williams driving vs East Carolina  (UConnblog)

Three point shooters Samuelson and Nurse resting  (Uconn blog)

On December 29th, Maryland hosted UConn in a battle of undefeated teams giving Head Coach Brenda Frese, of the Lady Terrapins, the opportunity to lead her team and snap UConn's streak at 86. Losing 87-81 before a sellout crowd of 17,950 fans at College Park, the stat sheet provides a closer look at the hard-fought game. Maryland out-rebounded UConn 40 to 31, made more free throws 12 to 10, had a higher 2-pt FG% 56.3 to 54.3 on 48 and 46 attempts, more points in the paint 42 to 40, more points off turnovers 13-12, more second chance points 16-13, more fast-break points 16-7, more bench points 11-7 and outscored them in 2 of the last 3 quarters, including by 9 points in the 4th, 28 to 19, but still lost the game. UConn had a 9 to 5 advantage on 3-pt FG made giving them a 12 point edge. 

Napheesa Collier scoring in the paint  (UConn blog)

A few more observations:  Maryland's best player, center Brionna Jones, had only 7 FG attempts, going 6 of 7.  Way too few attempts for the very productive Jones, who also made 7-9 free throws. On a night when the 3-pt shot was not falling, the 6'3" senior was the meal ticket. Two of UConn's valuable inside players, Collier and Williams, had 3 fouls each at halftime.  Destiny Slocum, the Maryland point guard was 5-10 from the 3-pt area, the rest of the team was 0-10. 

Starting guard Kristen Confroy logged 33 minutes with 0 points (0-5 FG)1 assist and 2 rebounds playing more minutes than Jones' 28. 
A good Maryland bench should have salvaged some of these empty minutes. 

Up by 5 points at halftime, UConn reeled off 14 consecutive points to start the 3rd quarter before a timeout was called.  Down to UConn by 19 in the 3rd quarter is like "game over"  The very talented Lady Terrapins outscored them 50-36 the rest of the way but the lead was insurmountable.  A proper timeout when the lead reached double digits could have altered the flow of the game.

The gold standard of women's basketball coaching resides in Connecticut with Geno Auriemma and his crew.  Auriemma is the face of the program but Assistant Head Coach, Chris Dailey, is a vital part of the system both having 32 years on the Huskies' bench.

UConn is beatable, but it requires "A" games from players and coaches.  A good game plan is not enough.  Quick adjustments to developing situations is a must. The UConn brain trust handles this part of coaching extremely well.  

A historic women's program, known for long winning streaks, undefeated seasons, great individual players and ultimately championships does not get the full credit it deserves.  We are witnessing once in a lifetime basketball excellence.  

Chris Dailey and Geno Auriemma  (Getty Image)