UConn vs Duke Preview - This is going to be a rock fight!

We look at UConn vs Duke sweet 16 match up. Duke has talent and they play Defence and have a heck of a lot of depth. We take a deep dive on the roster and what to expect. As well we peak at the lines.

[buzzard]

With Ohio State and Notre Dame getting knocked off, the path is clearing. IF UConn can continue to take care of business.

[billfinn]

Ice is key and Q could help too with her athleticism and confidence.
We need Ice in this game to help Edwards on the boards.
Go UCONN
Basketball 🏀

[apray]

Sarah would almost be foolish not to pick Uconn. With aaliyah leaving there's a slot right in the lineup for her. And if they've made it this far in the tournament without most of their stars, imagine what they could do with a healthy roster + sarah strong 🤯🤯

[lindsaymathews]

If Sarah Strong's #1 priority is playing basketball, she should go to NC. But, if she's interested in being part of Herstory, then she should come to UCONN and help our team win our 12th National Championship.

[kenichitamagusuku]

This game is for #1 recruit Sarah Strong. The other team North Carolina got beat by South Carolina. What if Duke UConn winner lost to South Carolina, South Carolina back in the running again? Is this all a fun for Sarah Strong, she going to USC to play with JuJu Watkins but South Carolina has a Watkins too in Ashlyn Watkins.

[dominictramonte]

I concur it's probably going to be an ugly game. "Rock fight" is a good depiction. Fairly low scoring as well, unless somebody-- Ashlynn, Paige or Aaliyah-- goes off. (Don't discount Ash, now she's got her confidence back. She's really good, and she mostly stays in her corner and ready to shoot, unless she's chasing a rebound. She can be overwhelmed by a good defender, but probably not completely stopped, and even if she'll provide a distraction. As you note, if they put their best on Ashlynn, she's not somewhere else, guarding Paige or Aaliyah.) I think Uconn will take this one; Duke just doesn't have the talent. But I am still waiting for the game when it all gets too much for them. They've still got no bench; they do it with 6 players or they don't go. We watched, just yesterday, the same happen to Notre Dame. Today may be the day, but I don't think so. They've still got one or two more games in them, I'm thinking, before we get to Cinderella territory. Maybe that's wishful thinking. But I think they'll take this one, and that's a fact.

Aaliyah should eat Kennedy Brown's lunch; she's not in the same class. Maybe they can platoon her to slow her down, but I expect to see her score more than their last game. If they double her-- the common strategy-- somebody else is open. Good ball movement should get someone out of position. Nika can guard anybody who's not 6 inches taller than her. They'll get some shots off, yes; but not many and they'll all be hurried. Nika is like a cyborg with only one thought: Must Eat Basketball. If Nika can stay in the game, Reagan Richardson shouldn't be a problem. Paige will do Paige things, as usual. It's like they have a whole other Paige who only comes out in the tournament. She was born for this. Paige can take anybody in the league and dribble drive or pull up or Euro-step or something else so fast they'll be left standing there with a surprised look on their faces and holding their jock-- and girls don't even wear them-- with ten or fifteen cents on the ground in change. The clip of her breaking Cardano-Hillary's ankles is about worn out on my YouTube. KK's scoring is off a bit, or maybe that's just circumstances, but she's still a lock down defender and steals the ball well, plus which she's a pretty good point guard. A little more offense from her would be appreciated. Ice did well in the games she had to play, but she suffers coming off the bench. Maybe she'll get it right in her head this time.

Should be a good game.

[giftcardbill]

Nice balanced take. My thoughts exactly. Pins and needles.

[chestermicek]

Here is the plan for a UConn win and here's the reason why it might work & why it might fail: three girls need to score with jumpers, two girls need to play defense as if they were demonically possessed and two other girls need to score, rebound, & defend off the bench. That might not happen because Ash, KK, Cadence and Ice are freshman & very first timers at this level. If Paige runs amuck and scores from everywhere, it will open up jumpers for Ash & Ali. If Ash & Ali hit lightly guarded J's, it becomes a lot easier for KK & Nikki to hit unguarded J's. If KK & Nikki steal the ball, Paige, Ash & Ali can run. If UConn can get 20 to 25 points off the fast break & steals, they can win. If they play timidly and without skills, they could get schlanged.

[calvinh.]

Btw Kara Lawson is an excellent head coach too.

[randyailie]

Rock fight, this game is def gonna be a scrappy ugly slugfest. Either way this goes, Uconn has played well above what I hoped for and them getting this far is just exceptional.

[JaeRell]

Duke has the best defensive guards in the league. Aaliyah Edwards will need to score 25+ for the win.

[TheDisruptiveOne]

Duke should foul a lot. That’s how they can win. Refs will be more likely to call some soft fouls on UConn if they do that.

[calvinh.]

As a UCONN fan I'm not celebrating anything. UCONN as presently constituted in my mind scares me vs young defensive athletic teams like Duke. This game worries me. Call me a pessimist but their size, bench and athleticism scares me.This is a game that I could see going either way.

[theodoremorehouse]

You called this exactly right. An ugly game. Both teams playing with House Money, just be being here.

[JayGHDTTP]

The difference - PAIGE, Aaliyah & Nika - UConn basically has three AA’s and a NPOTY on their team that have been to two Final Fours and the Natty game, Duke does not.