Game Thread: #1 Baylor hosts #2 UConn - 8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:08 PM EST
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Who: The second-ranked Connecticut Huskies travel to Texas to face the top-ranked Baylor Bears in a battle of unbeatens.
What: Someone has to lose, the question is who will it be. Geno Auriemma's 9-0 Huskies or Kim Mulkey's 10-0 Bears? This one should be good ... really, really good.
Where: Ferrell Center | Waco, Texas | TV: ESPN | Online: ESPN3 | 8:30 p.m. ET
The Story: The Bears' closest competition came from Tennessee, a 76-67 affair on the road on Nov. 27. Other than that test, Baylor has handily disposed of the competition, including a 13-point win over then-No. 2 Notre Dame on Nov. 20. Meanwhile, the Huskies have been shrugging off competitors of their own, with the only tight game coming at the XL Center in Hartford on Nov. 21. In that contest, UConn saw their smallest margin of victory - 10 points - against the #3/#5 Stanford Cardinal.
The resumes of both squads are impressive entering into the game as each team has handled highly ranked opponents with relative ease. But now it's nearly a cage match - two will enter, but only one will survive without a notch in the loss column.
Links: Associated Press game preview (via UConn athletics)
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I'm just hoping for a good game!
This one should be a chess match between the coaches as both teams certainly have glaring weaknesses.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
I like chess!
I even stopped to watch a lil speed chess on the streets of San Fran the other day! I’m with you…hope it lives up to the hype that a #1 vs. #2 gets in every sport (remember the 9-6 snoozefest in that football #1 vs. #2? Gross)…
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not going to!
Have you not heard the new Pickens Plan? Turn off your TVs on Jan. 9th!! #GoPokes
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
Blaaaawwwk!!!
Griner. Whew man. She might be lacking in some categories, but damn, she’s good at that.
Oh, how I wish I could see this game!
Don’t suppose youse lot want to describe what you’re seeing?
Where are you these days?
You don’t get ESPN3 online? Pretty sure you can get the audio online…lemme know if you’re interested in linkage…
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
You can listen
To the Baylor feed here: http://www.baylorbears.com/allaccess/?media=280325
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
(since I saw you tweeting for the Bears – GO BIG 12!)
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
Bummer.
here’s UConn’s feed if you wanna try that instead? http://player.radio.com/player/RadioPlayer.php?version=1.2.12495&station=80
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:48 PM EST up reply actions
Already tried that one
But thanks so much for helping. I appreciate it.
Double bummer
Sorry I couldn’t help :/
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
she and her teammate
Odyssey and Destiny (Williams), that’s a heck of a combination.
My favorite is still Temple’s six-four bruising, physical enforcer… Lady Comfort.
I am the victim of a basketball jones.
Griner came to play
Blocks Dolson, gets the hook going on the offensive end….so far, so good for the big
I like what Van Gundy said -
at 6’8" you’re not going block her shot, but you can try to make her think about passing or dribbling more than she’s comfortable with.
Right now, that’s really the only hope.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
many answers, padawan
Destiny Williams. Brooklyn Pope. Nadirah McKenith’s (sprained, thank you hypothetical baby Jesus, just sprained) right knee. (^&%^&(^&ing refs.
I am the victim of a basketball jones.
I also
really really like KML – she’s gonna be srsly good for the Fighting Genos before she’s done with school
19-12 Baylor leads; 11:05, 1st half
Time for a little football talk during the basketball game (RG3 in da house!)…
Last UConn loss: April 3, 2011 (Notre Dame 72, Connecticut 63)
Last UConn loss by double digits: March 26, 2007 (LSU 73, Connecticut 50)
That 2007 score should be “last loss by 20”.
UConn lost by double digits on December 30, 2010 falling to Stanford 71-59.
by James Bowman on Dec 18, 2011 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
This has been an outstanding team performance by UConn
Twitter thought there was no hope with Dolson in foul trouble … and here they are up 5 and increasing their lead….
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Baylor 2005 trophy won with only
one future WNBA player. The lowest of this century.
But they did have a big girl who would bomb away from three who quit basketball a year or two later. Possibly she could have played in the pros.
Rebecca Lobo is twittering about his height?
Come on Rebecca, it’s bad enough he has to strain his neck during your sideline interviews.
There is too NBA
Preseason is happening. #ThunderUp
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
Heather Buck.
This is your day! Play by play gives you props and former NBA coach and current NBA color commentator Jeff Van Gundy says “Absolutely!”
Great save on that possession by the Bears
Results in a big-time basket. But UConn answers (of course).
And this year we're seeing her start to add some control to that fearlessness,
which helps Baylor immensely.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Griner (and Cambage)
should develop Adbul Jabbar hook shots. Although I am personally not a fan of watchign dominant size in the post.
Sometimes basketball is really as simple as Doris Burke just made it:
“UConn is just playing harder”
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
And now...
I’d reverse that statement. This is a good run by the Bears… Block Party USA doesn’t hurt, either. LOL
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
Not to de-simplify the simple too much
But I think in the half court, UConn is outworking Baylor. In the full-court/transition game, Baylor is outworking UConn.
It’s sort of ironic given that you’d think that the team with the 6’8" center would be the better halfcourt team, but I think UConn’s ball pressure has made Baylor guards start to second guess their ability to pass without turning it over.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
I think she's been more tame this year overall though
So let’s just appreciate the progress. ;)
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Ha.
Just wait til conference. I think she’ll regress from the ‘progress’ a bit.
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, Dolson with the steps.
Not like those times when she drops it like it’s hot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbOJnoJh_N0
I think this has been a great game...
UConn has played extremely good basketball tonight… Griner is just a difficult obstacle to overcome.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
Van Gundy says "This is very good defense by Dolson".
That doesn’t bode well for Griner since that defense involved shoving Griner in the back with her left forearm. Those shoves will be a lot harder in the WNBA Britney.
Somehow they manage to work her into every broadcast
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
So you're a Baylor fan going to the game.
Which way do you go – green t-shirt or yellow t-shirt? Guess it depends on what color your shoes are.
Baylor's been a good close out team
(see the Tennessee game)…it’ll be interesting to see if they can continue that trend…
That is indeed crazy
Just UConn just isn’t finishing and missed a few shots they were making in the first half.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:17 PM EST up reply actions
And the crowd goes wild.
Cheerleaders sighted wearing white with green trim. That must make the ladies wearing gold – dancers.
Yep.
That’s their dance team…that’s their normal outfit… #HelloSequins
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 18, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
I have nothing intelligent to say
other than that this is a hell of a game.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
This is the rarest of rare occasions for me.
I am actually rooting for UConn.
Van Gundy just called Kim Mulkey diminutive. He may regret that.
She's 5'4"
…same as the average USian woman. Maybe he meant “diminutive” as in within the world of basketball. I can’t imagine he meant it in any other context.
Jesse Dickerson
is GODAWFUL for everyone.
Follow me for witty commentary on sports, life, and current events.
Twitter: @BuiltByDays
by Holly C. Tanneyhill on Dec 18, 2011 10:24 PM EST reply actions
Jeff Van Gundy says
“they should be forced to play each other. They play so many blowouts I don’t know why they wouldn’t. Same with Tennesee”.
You go Jeff.
I guess there's something to that argument
But if the Haves of women’s college basketball keep playing each other it’s going to strengthen the stereotype that there’s no depth in the game.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
by norcalnick on Dec 18, 2011 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
Even in the short time I’ve been following wbb closely, there are an increasing number of good games around the nation on any given day.
I think the focus should be spotlighting MORE exciting teams rather than concentrating our focus on the few traditional powers.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
I’m still bitter that Cal-Ohio St. wasn’t even on regional TV. It was such a fun game!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I know - I couldn't make the game and couldn't record it.
What Cal games are on regional TV?
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Three Pac-12 games (Utah, Washington St., and Stanford) are currently scheduled for regional broadcasts. All Cal home games also have a free stream of indeterminate quality.
The Pac-12 network can’t come soon enough!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
by norcalnick on Dec 18, 2011 10:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
"The Pac-12 network can’t come soon enough!"
You speak so much truth.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Where you at the game live, or did you have to watch over the internet?
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I found USC - TAMU today to be outstanding as well
Wasn’t as well-played as tonight’s Baylor game, but an entertaining brand of ball between two talented teams.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
I'm upset I missed it
And I’m upset that USC missed a chance to secure a big win for themselves and the conference. Cal and USC have both been so close to a breakthrough win.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
All UConn kids do. Will be their all season.
Follow me for witty commentary on sports, life, and current events.
Twitter: @BuiltByDays
by Holly C. Tanneyhill on Dec 18, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
Gosh, I want to rep my Pac-12 teams, but let’s not pretend that beating UCLA actually counts as beating a ranked team.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
by norcalnick on Dec 18, 2011 10:30 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
People put way too much stock in those early season rankings to begin with…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
On a bit of a tangent...
The Pac-12 isn’t looking particularly strong right now..
I still think Cal and USC are “wild cards” (let’s all hope that Gemelos is able to return) but right now it’s looking like Stanford and a bigger drop-off than the last few years…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure what to think as of right now
On one hand, there aren’t any teams ready to challenge Stanford (yet) and otherwise make noise nationally.
On the other hand, I think the bottom of the league isn’t nearly as bad as it’s been in the past, which is why the league’s RPI numbers as a collective are better than usual.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
This is a good point - probably better basketball night to night.
UW and WSU have both played well at times…and I think Oregon has shown they can do some things with Jackson healthy. And Utah should be a positive addition.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
by Nate Parham on Dec 18, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
"She can play the whole game. Unlike most big kids who need consistent rest"
Says Jeff Van Gundy regarding Griner. OK Liz Cambage, step up that cardio.
UConn made 11 3's...
and still lost.
Their inability to make anything other than jump shots is their Achilles and has been all year. Not sure what is up with Dolson but UConn coaches keep saying it is a non issue, that they can get her shots when they want.
I disagree.
Follow me for witty commentary on sports, life, and current events.
Twitter: @BuiltByDays
by Holly C. Tanneyhill on Dec 18, 2011 10:31 PM EST reply actions
So that's the news from Waco Texas
Where all the t-shirts are sponsored by Nike,
all the dancers sparkle,
and all the guest commentators are running to the parking lot with "I’m gonna give you a dminutive ass-whooping " ringing in their ears.
The spelling of the big girl's name:
Just got home from watching the game and am now reading your very fine comments.
HOWEVER, re. “Brittany Griner’s official website (?!)”: her name is spelled “Brittney.” (I had to look it up; I thought it was “Britney.” Why do parents insist on “creative” spelling? Her middle name, by the way, is “Yevette.”)
Remember, she is bigger than all of us put together, and we do not want to anger her.
X___________ to above comments about the Cal-OSU game. I was there, and it was real entertaining, if frustrating. Gen Brandon, she of the 24 points and 24 rebounds and endless legs, is now recognized as a goddess in our household. And watching fast Sammy Prahalis face off against ferocious Eliza Pierre was good fun.
That was...
a total and complete typo. My bad!! :/
by Jessica Lantz on Dec 19, 2011 6:41 AM EST up reply actions
Well, it’s a typo because B.G.’s parents chose a nonstandard spelling.
(Why anyone would name their kid for a French province is also beyond me. Brittney, Brooklyn, Destiny, Odyssey—the fun never stops. BearBloke wants to know if Sims has a little brother or sister named Iliad; I dream of a team whose players ALL have geographic names.)
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