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On Friday, Caroline Doty had nine assists in a win over Hofstra. On Saturday's win over Richmond, Tiffany Hayes had seven assists and no turnovers. I know that neither the Pride or Spiders will stand between UConn and a seventh national title when March Madness kicks into high gear, but still it seems as if the questions about who will be manning the point is looking like much ado about nothing.
"The last couple of games, I have made a point of having Caroline up top with the ball all the time which would free up Tiffany to go some other stuff," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "She (Doty) was making so many shots, I think it kind of flip flopped. That's why I don't buy that point guard, 2 guard (garbage). If you play for us and you are a good guard, you should be able to catch it, pass it, dribble it and shoot it. Both of them can do that and we are really lucky that we have the kind of team when we have two guards like that."
Doty (five 3-pointers) and Hayes (two 3's) can also shoot a little. Maya Moore added three 3-pointers, Kelly Faris had two and Meghan Gardler one as the 13 3-pointers is tied for fifth on UConn's single-game list for 3-pointers.
Among the interested spectators where UConn's point guard of the past (Sue Bird) and the future (Bria Hartley).
I also spoke to Richmond coach Mike Shafer to check on the status of one-time UConn forward/center Kristen Phillips.
Phillips would have been a senior had she stayed at UConn but she transferred to Richmond after playing just two games with the Huskies during the 2006-07 season.
She played six games for the Spiders last year but never shook the persistent foot issues that sidetracked her UConn career. Shafer said Phillips will remain at Richmond until she graduates but that her playing career is over.
"She had a surgery which is keeping her out for a full year," Shafer said. "It is an unfortunate thing but her surgery is a year-long rehab."
Naturally, Richmond had high hopes for Phillips when she transferred from UConn but her college career amounted to playing 34 minutes in eight games and finishing with six points, seven rebounds, one assists and two blocks.
"Obviously you have a 6-5 kid, you hope for best and with our (lack of) size but that's the reality of it," Shafer said. "Honestly just getting her surgery so she can walk and move on with her life was something that was important. She is doing pretty well. I think she understands that getting her degree and moving on, we have find of talked to her and moved her past basketball and see what we can do to further her career after graduation."
"The last couple of games, I have made a point of having Caroline up top with the ball all the time which would free up Tiffany to go some other stuff," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "She (Doty) was making so many shots, I think it kind of flip flopped. That's why I don't buy that point guard, 2 guard (garbage). If you play for us and you are a good guard, you should be able to catch it, pass it, dribble it and shoot it. Both of them can do that and we are really lucky that we have the kind of team when we have two guards like that."
Doty (five 3-pointers) and Hayes (two 3's) can also shoot a little. Maya Moore added three 3-pointers, Kelly Faris had two and Meghan Gardler one as the 13 3-pointers is tied for fifth on UConn's single-game list for 3-pointers.
Among the interested spectators where UConn's point guard of the past (Sue Bird) and the future (Bria Hartley).
I also spoke to Richmond coach Mike Shafer to check on the status of one-time UConn forward/center Kristen Phillips.
Phillips would have been a senior had she stayed at UConn but she transferred to Richmond after playing just two games with the Huskies during the 2006-07 season.
She played six games for the Spiders last year but never shook the persistent foot issues that sidetracked her UConn career. Shafer said Phillips will remain at Richmond until she graduates but that her playing career is over.
"She had a surgery which is keeping her out for a full year," Shafer said. "It is an unfortunate thing but her surgery is a year-long rehab."
Naturally, Richmond had high hopes for Phillips when she transferred from UConn but her college career amounted to playing 34 minutes in eight games and finishing with six points, seven rebounds, one assists and two blocks.
"Obviously you have a 6-5 kid, you hope for best and with our (lack of) size but that's the reality of it," Shafer said. "Honestly just getting her surgery so she can walk and move on with her life was something that was important. She is doing pretty well. I think she understands that getting her degree and moving on, we have find of talked to her and moved her past basketball and see what we can do to further her career after graduation."
Labels: Bria Hartley, Caroline Doty, Geno Auriemma, Kelly Faris, Maya Moore, Meghan Gardler, Sue Bird, Tiffany Hayes
posted by Jim Fuller at
10:42 PM
4 Comments:
Guess which player leads the team in field goal percentage? It's the girl who almost never gets to play: Heather Buck. Heather's fourth in rebounding, third in blocked shots, and tied for fourth (?) in steals. Yet she only plays at the tail end of major blow-outs. Is Geno telling her he wants her to leave or what? If I were she, I'd consider leaving now and preserving eligibility.
The Tournament format is good BUT why have such a "patsy" field? Surely a ranked team or two could have been invited - or maybe they were and chose not to come. It is obvious from the empty seats at Gampel that others must feel the same way about the competition.
And, yes, more of Heather Buck. Perhaps she doesn't practice up to standards?
The notion that Heather should leave is absurd. She is playing on the #1 team in the nation, a team with three post players who are seniors. Against Richmond, she played just 6 fewer minutes than Kalana, and 7 fewer than Tina. Heather is averaging 13 min./game this season — just 4.5 minutes fewer than Kaili. Heather is making great progress, and her future looks bright.
Heather Buck is an ALL Connecticut Girl. She is home grown. Maria Conlon was not appreciated in her first fews years at UConn. Diana was great because she had Maria as the point guard and an excellent 3 shooter.
Heather will watch,play and learn and will be a very good Center. She is getting pretty good time--with the blow outs it could be better.
I agree with the Patsys--Tenn (shame on me), Notre Dame, Duke, Texas, Okla, Baylor all play top 10 opponents this time of the year--it's great experience.
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