Tonight UConn’s Dominating D will hold Mitchell to:

[JavaMan]

Debbie Antonelli points out that in the last 11 years a UConn opposing player has put up 30 or more points on just five occasions (Prince 33, Loyd 31, Pohlen 31, Angel 30, Parker 30). And, she thinks Kelsey Mitchell will get close, she eve established her own over/under at 27.

​

Let’s do our own over/under: (Poll listed above)

Since OS has already played SC and this our 1st game I'm going to cut our gals a little slack, I'm voting that Mitchell gets 21 in this beat-down.

Poll closes at game time.

 

[VAUConnFan]

I like Mitchell's chances. My over/under is at 34 because she is better than every previous player to accomplish the feat.

How in the world was Pohlen allowed to accomplish that feat? Granted, she is a good ballplayer, but not 31 points against UConn good.

 

[TitleTown]

Mitchell is going to get her points but as long as UConn can stop Alston then the Huskies will win comfortably.

 

[ndmb]

~20 points, but on ~20 shots.

 

[Nuyoika]

UConn doesn't usually try to completely stop you. They want to frustrate you. They want you to keep shooting. They will let you have 30+ if that means you're shooting under 40%. Not many players that have the ability to drop 30 on an elite opponent are confident enough in their teammates to pass the ball even when they know they are off balance or not at the right angle for a decent shot. The UConn defense is meant to make you think. The scorer usually ends up getting their points but it often costs their team the win. The funny part is they probably feel pretty good about themselves too until they look at the tape or the stat sheet.

 

[blaqtech]

29 points.

 

[huskyd]

UConn doesn't usually try to completely stop you. They want to frustrate you. They want you to keep shooting. They will let you have 30+ if that means you're shooting under 40%. Not many players that have the ability to drop 30 on an elite opponent are confident enough in their teammates to pass the ball even when they know they are off balance or not at the right angle for a decent shot. The UConn defense is meant to make you think. The scorer usually ends up getting their points but it often costs their team the win. The funny part is they probably feel pretty good about themselves too until they look at the tape or the stat sheet.

Excellent analysis, Nu. I'm of the opinion that it doesn't matter how many points the OSU guards get, as long as they're the only ones scoring. Since OSU had only 3 assists against SC, I assume there isn't much ball distribution. Mitchell and Alston are high volume shooters because their team lacks balanced shooting. UConn will control the guards well enough, and the Huskies will outscore the defense challenged Buckeyes by more than a few buckets.

 

[HGN]

Kelsey will get hers...............I just hope we can hold everybody else down because she can't do it alone. At least I hope not.
We will have 2 very good defensive guards (Mo, Kia) on her so she will not be running totally free. She may jack up a lot of 3's , but she can have those.

She can have her points , we want the game.

 

[DishNSwish]

Part of the only three assists was absolutely dreadful shooting from the posts. They make even half their shots, it's a different convo.

 

[Hoopdreams]

There's not a player on Uconn that can contain Mitchell one on one. However, I got Uconn by 12. If Sierra Calhoun was eligible, I would have taken OSU.

 

[PhillyCoach]

There's not a player on Uconn that can contain Mitchell one on one. However, I got Uconn by 12. If Sierra Calhoun was eligible, I would have taken OSU.

Yo Hoops - good point about containing Mitchell one on one. However, I'd say the same thing about MO and Stewie--no OS player can handle them one on one either. That gives UConn a two to one edge. Ohio State is a dangerous team, but basketball is not usually played 2 on 5. I'll take Mo & Stewie over the OS guards (conservatively) in a close match. What does OS have to cover the next three starters??
Team defense can help out quite a bit---UConn has the best team defense in the land! OS is a little light on team defense.
Again, OS is a dangerous team--Nevertheless, I am looking forward to Geno's prep for this game, the 5th starter's performance, who is first off the bench for UConn, and players handling the nerves of the big pursuit of the 4th NC.

 

[pacific 44]

uconn by 17 points and Mitchell will score 25 points.Mitchell will be a gunner extraordinaire and will hit less than 40% of her shots.

 

[mrmojack]

Uconn is a 12.5 pt favorite tonight and the over/under is 139.5

So, an 80-60 or 75-65 score seems reasonable. That's a little different than 88-80 USC/OSU
score. We will see what happens tonight. It should be a very interesting game to start the season.

GO HUSHIES

 

[reno tony]

UCONN normally shoots 50% and if Ohio State is crazy enough to play a fast paced transition game then UCONN will score in the 90's. SC scored 88 and they shot 42% but had a cajillion points from the foul line. UCONN will hold them to 65 so my line is UCONN -24.5 O/U 151.5
Mitchel O/U is 19.5. Happy betting.

 

[Orangutan]

There's not a player on Uconn that can contain Mitchell one on one. However, I got Uconn by 12. If Sierra Calhoun was eligible, I would have taken OSU.

That implies Calhoun and her 31% FG% would account for a 13 point swing. Absurd.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Kelsey will go over 20 unless she has major foul trouble. But I look for 35% shooting from her. She's very good, but so are Moriah and Kia.

 

[UConnCat]

That implies Calhoun and her 31% FG% would account for a 13 point swing. Absurd.

Exactly. The same Calhoun who looked lost against UConn last year and scored 0 points.

Hoopdreams also predicted Sierra's brother Omar would average 15-20 ppg this season and be a 1st round pick in the NBA draft. Equally absurd.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Kelsey will go over 20 unless she has major foul trouble. But I look for 35% shooting from her. She's very good, but so are Moriah and Kia.

Bingo

 

[wbbfan]

1 person was correct - under 10 (8 pts).

 

[TitleTown]

There's not a player on Uconn that can contain Mitchell one on one. However, I got Uconn by 12. If Sierra Calhoun was eligible, I would have taken OSU.

Calhoun would have had to score 47 tonight in order for OSU to win. Just a hunch but I don't think that would have happened.

 

[JavaMan]

1 person was correct - under 10 (8 pts).

Eighty votes, soo, 79 of us were wrong ...AND WE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!

 

[Bgillon]

HoopDreams said nobody on UCONN could guard Mitchell so who did? And boy did he show all of us what a great evaluater of talent he is. To quote him "one of the best in the country" !

 

[CTyankee]

Like a deer in headlights Mitchell was... UConn defense is every bit or better than as reported in the pre-season.

 

[DobbsRover2]

So is the prescient genius who voted "less than 10" going to fess up. I think I may need some financial advice from her\him.

As to Hoopdreams inanities, the shtick is wearing very thin. Wonder if there's any way we can him to go back to lulu land, which in NYC area is located near the mouth of the Gowanus Canal.

 

[Bestiarius]

There's not a player on Uconn that can contain Mitchell one on one. However, I got Uconn by 12. If Sierra Calhoun was eligible, I would have taken OSU.

You're right, no one player on UConn can contain Mitchell - everyone can contain her. uconnel with the only correct vote.