Aloha Gang. I had a rough day yesterday that was once again the result of a meaningless 3pt shot made as time expired...Talk about a bad DEJA VU, as the Hawaii/Neb game ended in the same way. Based on this, I have come to the conclusion that JESUS HATES ME!
Anyway, the day painfully ended with me posting a 3W-5L= -8 Units.(less vig).
Today we got the Ladie's Final Four, and it should be a good one as well, as all 4 teams have very talented and exciting players to watch. With that said, lets get on to the plays for today.
**4 Unit Plays on:
TENN -4(LOSE-by 2pts ats)
-Tenn(30-3)is ranked #2 in the Nation and is the ONLY #1 seed left in this Tournament, faces off against their familiar SEC Conf opponent and 19th ranked LSU(27-7). LSU who is on a 4 game win streak, will be making its First Final Four appearance ever today. Tenn, on the other hand, heads into another Final Four appearance with the hopes of getting their 7th National Title.
Pt Guard Tasha Butts who stepped into this unfamiliar role after starting pt Guard Loree Moore went down with an unfortunate knee injury, has been one of the primary reasons for the Vols being in this Final Four game. Tasha in the Tournament has been very solid averaging 20pts, 8 rebs, and 5 assis, in her last 5 games. She will be a BiG KEY in todays game vs LSU...
The matchup with Tasha Butts vs G Seimone Augustus for LSU is where this game will probably be decided. Augustus has been on Fire in the Tournament averaging 26.3pts in their 4 Tournament games played. This offensive output of hers leads all players in the Tournament. Still though, Butt's has shown that she is up for any challenge facing her and her offensive leadership and output reflects this as well. Since stepping into this unfamiliar role of pt guard she has successfully lead Tenn to a 14-2 record. After reading a few comments made by her, about facing Augustus today, I got nothing but confidence that she knows what it is that she needs to do in order for Tenn to control her and win this game. Butt's has also been proving she is the big play maker for Tenn and it showed in her game winning shot that beat Stanford.
Tenn has already beat this LSU squad 85-62 in their season finale, back on Feb 29. In this game vs LSU, Tenn shot 56% from the field, and was successful in holding Augustus to ONLY 5 of 19 shooting and just 12pts. The Key here to beatting this surging LSU team is to again do exactly what they did defensively against Augustus. I am confident that Coach Summit will plan on doing just that.
Tenn leads the series vs LSU 31-7. They are also 5-3 SU vs the Tigers on a neutral courts.
Although LSU is peeking right now, Tenn's last win showed exactly what they need to do in order to secure another win over the Tigers, and that is to totally contain or at least slow Augustus down. LSU is riding on her scoring production, but if she goes down so will the Tigers. Coach Summit is to smart not to make this their priority goal today. Familiarity with this Conf opponent also gives Tenn the edge in accomplishing this.
Tenn is better balanced in scoring from the inside with F Ely, who leads the Vols in scoring with 19pts ppg and also in Rebounding grabbing an average of 8.1 rpg, and outside with scoring of Butts and Zolman, who both average DD figures. LSU, on the other hand, relies entirely on its trio of G's to give them the majority of its offensive production, and all three of them are scoring in DDs. Still LSU's paint scoring is their weak link as LSU's Big Uglys of Jones and Biernacka only produce a combined average of 11 ppg.
Tenn this year went 18-3 vs Tournament Teams, while LSU's record vs Tournament Teams this year was 9-6. Tenn's All Tournament Record is a staggering 84-16 over the past 23 years. Also, in a game as important as this one is you have to give Coach Summit the edge as she has lead Tenn to the National Title, and because LSU will not have their hall of fame coach with them on the sidelines due to her sickness. Tenn to much history and balance, and should be able to win again by DDs.
UCONN -5.5 (WINNER-by 9pts)
-Two time Defending Champs and #2 ranked Uconn(29-4) will be making their 5 straight Final Four appearance, enroute to their 3rd straight National Title run. But before that occurs, they will have to first take out this #7 ranked Minnesota(25-8) team who finished 6th in the Big 10 this year. Uconn is lead by the two time Naismith Award winner and National Player of the Year Diana Taurasi. Uconn have been on fire only having one close games so far in the Tourney, and in their last game vs Top seeded Penn ST, they destroyed them winning that game by 17pts.
Taurasi has been averaging 20 ppg in the Tournament, and scored 27pts in their defeat of Top seed Penn St in their last game.
Minny has been this years Cinderella team upseting the Midwest Region's Top Three Teams in #3 BC, #2 Kansas St, and #1 Duke in their Regional Final. Minny's run have come about by the dominant and outstanding play of C Janel McCarville who is averaging 19.8pts, 11 rebs, and 4.8 assist per game in the Tournament. She is accompanied by the hot shooting of G Linsay Whalen, who is averaging 22 ppg in the Tournament.
The main matchup in this game will once again be in the guard play of Taurasi vs Whalen. Minny's Whalen my score more, but Uconn's Taurasi provides more. One of them is her ability to play a two position role of G/F which gives here more offensive balance and mismatches over Whalen, especially in the paint.
Minny has ONLY 2 player that average scoring in the DDs, with G Whalen and C McCarville. Uconn, on the other hand, has a more balance to their Off with 4 players averaging in DDs. This balance scoring attack of Uconn is what I also see giving Uconn an edge vs Minny who is primarily reliant on the 1-2 punch of Whalen and McCarville. If Uconn is successful in slowing or shutting down either one of them, they are done.
Uconn definately will have the size advantage over Minny today, and it will be most noticeble in the backcourt where their G's of Taurasi 6', Strother 6'2", and Conlon at 5'9", will outheight Minny's backcourt of Whalen 5'8" and Schonrock 5'6". This size advantage will definately give Uconn an added advantage, and this game any advantage is big.
Uconn in my opinion has to much balance scoring on the Offensive end, and do have as well the size advantage to dominate the boards. Uconn also will have the past history on their side. Uconn is 51-11 SU in all Tournament games over the past 16 years. Uconn just more talented players, with the better Coach, thus ending Minny's run today. The defending National Champions who feature the Nations Player of the Year in Taurasi, should be able to get a big win today, giving Taurasi and the rest of the Seniors their last opportunity to go out National Champs once again. Uconn wins by DDs today. Go Huskies.
*Ok Gang, the Womens Final Four games should be fun to watch. If your playing em like me, then I wish you the best of luck today. Aloha CC.
[This message was edited by Co-Captain on April 04, 2004 at 11:27 PM.]
Today we got the Ladie's Final Four, and it should be a good one as well, as all 4 teams have very talented and exciting players to watch. With that said, lets get on to the plays for today.
**4 Unit Plays on:
TENN -4(LOSE-by 2pts ats)
-Tenn(30-3)is ranked #2 in the Nation and is the ONLY #1 seed left in this Tournament, faces off against their familiar SEC Conf opponent and 19th ranked LSU(27-7). LSU who is on a 4 game win streak, will be making its First Final Four appearance ever today. Tenn, on the other hand, heads into another Final Four appearance with the hopes of getting their 7th National Title.
Pt Guard Tasha Butts who stepped into this unfamiliar role after starting pt Guard Loree Moore went down with an unfortunate knee injury, has been one of the primary reasons for the Vols being in this Final Four game. Tasha in the Tournament has been very solid averaging 20pts, 8 rebs, and 5 assis, in her last 5 games. She will be a BiG KEY in todays game vs LSU...
The matchup with Tasha Butts vs G Seimone Augustus for LSU is where this game will probably be decided. Augustus has been on Fire in the Tournament averaging 26.3pts in their 4 Tournament games played. This offensive output of hers leads all players in the Tournament. Still though, Butt's has shown that she is up for any challenge facing her and her offensive leadership and output reflects this as well. Since stepping into this unfamiliar role of pt guard she has successfully lead Tenn to a 14-2 record. After reading a few comments made by her, about facing Augustus today, I got nothing but confidence that she knows what it is that she needs to do in order for Tenn to control her and win this game. Butt's has also been proving she is the big play maker for Tenn and it showed in her game winning shot that beat Stanford.
Tenn has already beat this LSU squad 85-62 in their season finale, back on Feb 29. In this game vs LSU, Tenn shot 56% from the field, and was successful in holding Augustus to ONLY 5 of 19 shooting and just 12pts. The Key here to beatting this surging LSU team is to again do exactly what they did defensively against Augustus. I am confident that Coach Summit will plan on doing just that.
Tenn leads the series vs LSU 31-7. They are also 5-3 SU vs the Tigers on a neutral courts.
Although LSU is peeking right now, Tenn's last win showed exactly what they need to do in order to secure another win over the Tigers, and that is to totally contain or at least slow Augustus down. LSU is riding on her scoring production, but if she goes down so will the Tigers. Coach Summit is to smart not to make this their priority goal today. Familiarity with this Conf opponent also gives Tenn the edge in accomplishing this.
Tenn is better balanced in scoring from the inside with F Ely, who leads the Vols in scoring with 19pts ppg and also in Rebounding grabbing an average of 8.1 rpg, and outside with scoring of Butts and Zolman, who both average DD figures. LSU, on the other hand, relies entirely on its trio of G's to give them the majority of its offensive production, and all three of them are scoring in DDs. Still LSU's paint scoring is their weak link as LSU's Big Uglys of Jones and Biernacka only produce a combined average of 11 ppg.
Tenn this year went 18-3 vs Tournament Teams, while LSU's record vs Tournament Teams this year was 9-6. Tenn's All Tournament Record is a staggering 84-16 over the past 23 years. Also, in a game as important as this one is you have to give Coach Summit the edge as she has lead Tenn to the National Title, and because LSU will not have their hall of fame coach with them on the sidelines due to her sickness. Tenn to much history and balance, and should be able to win again by DDs.
UCONN -5.5 (WINNER-by 9pts)
-Two time Defending Champs and #2 ranked Uconn(29-4) will be making their 5 straight Final Four appearance, enroute to their 3rd straight National Title run. But before that occurs, they will have to first take out this #7 ranked Minnesota(25-8) team who finished 6th in the Big 10 this year. Uconn is lead by the two time Naismith Award winner and National Player of the Year Diana Taurasi. Uconn have been on fire only having one close games so far in the Tourney, and in their last game vs Top seeded Penn ST, they destroyed them winning that game by 17pts.
Taurasi has been averaging 20 ppg in the Tournament, and scored 27pts in their defeat of Top seed Penn St in their last game.
Minny has been this years Cinderella team upseting the Midwest Region's Top Three Teams in #3 BC, #2 Kansas St, and #1 Duke in their Regional Final. Minny's run have come about by the dominant and outstanding play of C Janel McCarville who is averaging 19.8pts, 11 rebs, and 4.8 assist per game in the Tournament. She is accompanied by the hot shooting of G Linsay Whalen, who is averaging 22 ppg in the Tournament.
The main matchup in this game will once again be in the guard play of Taurasi vs Whalen. Minny's Whalen my score more, but Uconn's Taurasi provides more. One of them is her ability to play a two position role of G/F which gives here more offensive balance and mismatches over Whalen, especially in the paint.
Minny has ONLY 2 player that average scoring in the DDs, with G Whalen and C McCarville. Uconn, on the other hand, has a more balance to their Off with 4 players averaging in DDs. This balance scoring attack of Uconn is what I also see giving Uconn an edge vs Minny who is primarily reliant on the 1-2 punch of Whalen and McCarville. If Uconn is successful in slowing or shutting down either one of them, they are done.
Uconn definately will have the size advantage over Minny today, and it will be most noticeble in the backcourt where their G's of Taurasi 6', Strother 6'2", and Conlon at 5'9", will outheight Minny's backcourt of Whalen 5'8" and Schonrock 5'6". This size advantage will definately give Uconn an added advantage, and this game any advantage is big.
Uconn in my opinion has to much balance scoring on the Offensive end, and do have as well the size advantage to dominate the boards. Uconn also will have the past history on their side. Uconn is 51-11 SU in all Tournament games over the past 16 years. Uconn just more talented players, with the better Coach, thus ending Minny's run today. The defending National Champions who feature the Nations Player of the Year in Taurasi, should be able to get a big win today, giving Taurasi and the rest of the Seniors their last opportunity to go out National Champs once again. Uconn wins by DDs today. Go Huskies.
*Ok Gang, the Womens Final Four games should be fun to watch. If your playing em like me, then I wish you the best of luck today. Aloha CC.
[This message was edited by Co-Captain on April 04, 2004 at 11:27 PM.]
