Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: The 2010 Maggie Dixon Classic

by Ray Floriani
NEW YORK CITY- The Maggie Dixon Classic gave the fans four elite teams. The games did not turn out as competitive gems. Regardless, it was a special day. A history making day and a day to celebrate the life and legacy of Maggie Dixon and women's basketball.

The classic on the Garden scoreboard

The scores:

Texas A&M	79	Rutgers	50
UConn	81	Ohio State	50

The Four Factors from the TAMU-Rutgers opener:

		FTA
	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
Texas A&M	52	23	47	23
Rutgers	27	49	46	38

In a 73 possession game Rutgers saw the extreme at both ends. A moderate to average offensive team entering the game (102 offensive efficiency), coach C. Vivian Stringer's club had defended well (84 defensive efficiency). Until today. The edge was close on the boards but that was about it. Rutgers had no answer for 6-2 Danielle Adams with 24 points 12 rebounds in 36 minutes. Adams hit from outside (2 for 6 from three) but did appreciable damage in the paint with a 50% (7 of 14 mark). In fact the paint was owned by the visiting Aggies with an absurdly high 34-10 edge on points in that area. Another stat that jumped off the page was TO rate. Specifically that of Rutgers with a ridiculously high 38% (27 total). Again, those turnovers spelled points as Texas A&M enjoyed a 38-7 margin in points off turnovers. Coach Gary Blair's group had a nice inside/outside mix. They hit 7-17 (41%) from three and 22-45 (49%) inside the arc. Rutgers was 0-8 from three and 13-41 (42%) from two.

The Efficiency numbers from the nightcap:

		Off.
	Poss.	Eff.
UConn	82	99
Ohio State	87	58

Pace was a little quick as UConn entered averaging in the high 60s (possessions) while Ohio State was in the mid 70s. Pushing the pace was by design. "We wanted to rebound and get out and run," said UConn junior guard Tiffany Hayes.

West Point Glee Club
performed the National anthem

The Four Factors:

		FTA
	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
UConn	54	19	33	26
Ohio State	33	13	26	24

About the only area Geno Auriemma will look back in disdain on is turnovers. Fueled by 21 miscues the Huskies posted a TO Rate that could hurt them in a close game. Part of that TO number could be construed to a game plan that emphasized getting out in transition. On that end UConn held a 21-7 edge in transition points. Ever the perfectionist, Auriemma will address the turnovers as early as next practice, if not before.

Added Observations:
UConn did a great job on 6-4 center Jantel Lavender. She tied Tyler Hill for Buckeye scoring honors with 14 points but was forced into a 7 of 21 night from the floor. The nation's leading scorer was held 12 below her regular average.

The Garden scoreboard tells the score
and notes other streaks

Freshman center Stefanie Dotson had a 'stat stuffer' of a day for UConn. She scored just four points but added five rebounds and three blocks. In fact she was one of UConn's and the game's top three efficiency leaders, and the leader on a per minute basis:

	Efficiency
	Overall	per Min
Tiffany Hayes	28	0.800
Maya Moore	26	0.765
Stefanie Dotson	22	0.880

What if?
Roster sheets in the press room had Maya Moore listed on both UConn and Ohio state. Buckeye coach Jim Foster would certainly have been willing to add Moore to his 10th ranked team.

Coaches unanimously agree the first four minutes of each half are vital. Ohio State opened the game with a pair of three point field goals by Brittany Johnson to take a very early 6-0 lead. Thoughts of a potential upset were soon ended as the Huskies ran off 11 straight points to enter the 16 minute mark ahead 11-6. The numbers of the first four minutes saw UConn nine possessions (1.22 PPP) while Ohio State with the same possession total checked in at .67 PPP.

At the half UConn led 40-26. The first four minutes of the final half saw each team with 8 possessions. UConn scored 11 points (1.38 PPP) while Ohio State checked in with six (.75 PPP). That put the score at 51-32 UConn at the 16 minute mark and the outcome all but finalized.

Such was the UConn dominance inside (a 48-22 point in the paint edge) the first 8 minutes of the final half, the Huskies eight field goals and the 'longest' was a five footer in the lane.

Ball distribution was solid for the Big East representatives as well. UConn handed out 18 assists on 32 field goals showing 56% of their field goals assisted. Ohio State assisted on 8 of 18 (44%) field goals.

Closing the Book:
Rutgers is 7-5 while Texas A&M is 9-1. The Aggies' Danielle Adams' 24 points led all scorers in the first contest.

UConn is 10-0 while Ohio state fell to 8-2. Tiffany Hayes of UConn led all scorers with 26 points.

With 88 straight in the books, UConn hosts Florida Sate on Tuesday. Record crowd to see a women's game, 15,232, at Madison Square Garden was on hand. Pitt mentor Jamie Dixon was in attendance. His Panthers defeated Maryland Easter Shore the night before in Pittsburgh.

"When I was last here (as an assistant at Louisiana Tech) the major papers sent fashion editors to cover our game. Now I look at all of you out there in the media in this room and that is proof women's college basketball has arrived." - Texas A&M coach Gary Blair.

"It is different times but there are similarities to both teams (UConn women and UCLA men). The two teams shared a level of competitiveness. A level of expectations above that of anyone else." - UConn's Maya Moore on the 88 game win streak.

"I am not doing anything different than other (coaches). The stuff I do I 'stole' from other people" Geno Auriemma on his coaching philosophy.

"We prepared and went about our routine the same way. I did let the players know it was a different week. A chance to get into the history books" - Geno Auriemma on the preparation for the Ohio state game.

The UConn women celebrate their historic moment
at center court, Madison Square Garden

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: A Look at the UConn Women and Their Historic Run

by Ray Floriani
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Heading into Sunday's 'historic' meeting between UConn and Ohio State, UConn women's SID Pat McKenna provided a rundown of the Huskies' stats in the 87 games prior to this Ohio State game. The summaries were done against all opponents as well as the 29 games versus nationally ranked (top 25) teams. The breakdowns are summarized in the tables below. But a few added notes just illustrate the magnitude of this dominating streak…

During the 87 game run Geno Auriemma's club has trailed 3.8% of the time. No opponent has hit over 50% from the floor over the last 236 games. Last to do it was Boston College on March 8, 2004. Baylor hit an even 50% (22 of 44) in their 65-64 loss to the Huskies back on November 16.

UConn fans express their views on the streak.

UConn has not lost back-to-back games since 1992-93. Gampel Pavilion opened for the 1993-94 season and the Huskies sport a 216-5 (.977) record in their on campus facility.

UConn has won 144 straight against teams not ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.

UConn has been ranked number one forty nine consecutive weeks. Louisiana Tech enjoyed the same lofty ranking 36 consecutive weeks from 1980-82. Ironically, Baylor coach Kim Mulkey starred on that Louisiana Tech squad.

UConn's last loss was April 6, 2008 in the national semifinals to Stanford, 82-73.

A look at UConn's possessions and efficiency against the 29 games versus ranked opponents the Huskies faced during the streak:

		Off.
	Poss.	Eff.
UConn	71	111
Opponents	71	76

An incredible +35 efficiency margin (offense - defense) against the strongest programs in the women's game. The following are the numbers for all 87 games.

		Off.
	Poss.	Eff.
UConn	70	117
Opponents	70	70

The efficiency margin is a +47, which is Springfield, Mass. Material. But not much higher than the margin posted against ranked teams. In simple terms, the Huskies were formidable against all opposition. Interesting to see the pace was basically the same against ranked and all opponents. In 'Woodenesque' fashion, UCONN has a way they play the game and they are adhering to it no matter the opponent.

The Four Factors for all 87 games in the study:

		FTA
	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
UConn	56	23	41	20
Opponents	36	13	29	26

Absolutely no surprise that UConn dominates in every area. The one category the Huskies are a little 'deficient' in is turnover (TO%) rate. Their 20% mark is a borderline deficiency as an offensive rate. On the defensive side they do force opponents into a 26% TO% rate, insuring they maintain a positive take-away/give-away ratio.

There is a neat and tidy association tied into UConn's eFG% and rebounding. The Huskies clean the offensive glass which affords great second chance opportunities and opportunities to get to the line. Through the 87 games 24% of their points came from beyond the arc and only 30% of their field goal attempts originated from that range.

UConn goes for number 89 Tuesday against Florida State in Hartford. Following that game is a west coast trip with visits to Pacific and Stanford before Big East play continues after the new year. Very interesting name is on the itinerary, Stanford. The last team to knock off the Huskies. Stay tuned.

Tomorrow a rundown on the Maggie Dixon Classic games.

Madison Square Garden.
A fitting stage for a record.

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Notes About the Title Games

by Ray Floriani

LYNDHURST, NJ - It’s in the books. The championship games contested earlier this week gave us a new and defending titlist and in effect brought another outstanding season to a close.

The scores:

Men's Championship
Duke	61		Butler	59
Women's Championship
UConn	53		Stanford	47

To deviate, instead of ‘ladies first’ let’s look at the games in chronological order beginning wthe men. In a 62 possession game (Duke 61 Butler 63) the Four Factors.

			FTM
	ORtg	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
Duke	101	49	19	37	20
Butler	94	40	22	32	13

Duke was a little high on the turnover rate but made up with effective field goal shooting and a points per possession mark over 1.00. A priority for Butler was offensive rebounding. The Bulldogs did a good job in the first half but were gradually worn down the final twenty minutes.

Efficiency, the Martin Manley formula, adds points , made shots, rebounds, steals and blocks while subtracting missed shots and turnovers. A breakdown of Duke and Bulter follows.

		Efficiency
	Pts.	Rtg.	Per Min
K. Singler	19	25	0.625
B. Zoubek	8	17	0.548
J. Scheyer	15	20	0.541
N. Smith	13	4	0.100

Wanted to focus on the double figure scorers only but had to include Brian Zoubek, The Duke center did not hit doubles but was a major factor inside. Zoubek had 10 rebounds (6 on the offensive end) and rejected two shots. Nolan Smith hit a few big three throws late and provided inspiration to his teammates not measurable by a calculator. A 5 of 15 mark from the field and 3 turnovers definitely hindered his efficiency mark. Kyle Singler shot 7 of 13 but added 9 boards and blocked 2 shots which went a long way toward his very high efficiency grades.

		Efficiency
	Pts.	Rtg.	Per Min
A. Jukes	10	10	0.556
S. Mack	12	10	0.323
G. Hayward	12	12	0.300
M. Howard	11	5	0.263

Butler did not have anyone outstanding from the efficiency metric. True to form given their balance. Avery Jukes posted a high per minute mark thanks to 4 of 6 shooting, 4 rebounds in 18 minutes.

Physics. With degrees in the humanities yours truly did not enroll in a physics course. Not in high school. Not in college. The day after the final a few officiating friends called to tell me how close Gordon Haywood’s last shot, Terms as trajectory velocity and force were used to prove how incredibly close Butler came to cutting down the nets on that last shot.

Chances. And related to that last shot is the debate shout Brian Zoubek intentionally missed that last shot or tried to hit it. Butler was out of time outs so hitting the shot allows them to inbound the ball with about three seconds left and set up a better look. On the other hand Duke would have a three point lead so a trey at the buzzer means overtime.

Zoubek’s miss (with no time outs left to use) forced the Bulldogs to get the rebound and try to get a decent look. If they buried the last shot, game over. Analysts have been going back and forth on this in recent days. Players trying to miss often throw it hard off the rim. Not hitting the rim is a violation. What often happens, as did on Monday, the opponent gets a longer rebound that a shot that misses normally and falls to the first opponent in position. That long rebound gave Butler a split second or so to get a closer shot than if they rebounded 80 something feet from their basket. In the final analysis it all comes down to trust. If you are worthy of the national championship put the trust in your defense to get that final necessary stop.

Back in November's Pre-Season NIT
we didn't realize Duke would be doing the same thing in Indy come April.

On to the Women….

In a 68 possession contest (UConn 69 Stanford 67) focused on the Four Factors.

			FTM
	ORtg	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
Stanford	70	32	4	24	16
UConn	77	38	16	18	15

How do you post a 77 for offensive efficiency and win? Simple, play the lockdown defense, a trademark of your program and what you have done all year. UConn’s defensive effort as displayed by Stanford’s offensive efficiency and effective field goal percentage. The turnover rate was not high for the Cardinal as UConn showed little full court pressure. This defensive effort, like so many others by UConn was simple contesting shots and forcing the opponent to settle for shots they may not have wanted.

In an incredibly poor offensive performance UConn had 12 points (trailing 20-12) at the half. The Huskies did not even hit double figures until just before the four minute media time out. They went scoreless one ten minute stretch that first half. Credit Stanford’s defense which doubled the low post, eliminated transition and forced UConn to beat them from outside. While UConn defended well on their own behalf, Stanford did miss some good looks and Geno Auriemma’s club was fortunate to be down only eight at the half.

The efficiency numbers and efficiency divided by minutes of the marquee players, Nnemkadi Ogwumike of Stanford and UConn’s Maya Moore.

		Efficiency
	Pts.	Rtg.	Per Min
N. Ogwunike	11	13	0.342
M. Moore	23	23	0.622

Ogwumike had a game high 13 rebounds but shot only 5 of 14 from the floor. Moore started slowly but finished with a game high 23 points on 9 of 18 shooting. She tied teammate Tina Charles for rebounding honors with 11.

Early in the second half. Moore came out, finished a penetration then hit a few jumpers and the Huskies were revitalized. Ogwumike , an outstanding inside threat, struggled for the most part as the UCONN defense was more attentive of her presence. Jayne Appel, an excellent ‘interior decorator; in her own right shot 0 for 12, primarily due to a very bad ankle. With Appel ineffective the Huskies simply converge on Ogwumike.

FT rate had a disparity. As noted the Cardinal struggled to get an inside game going. Once UConn regained the lead the second half they pushed it to double digits forcing Stanford to shoot from beyond the arc. Late in the game, Stanford was in a fouling mode trying to extend with a three possession affair.

A repeat winner UConn coach Geno Auriemma is on a "wizardesque" streak (78 and counting). Even if the Huskies eclipse UCLA’s 88 game winning streak next season Auriemma defers any talk that he should be grouped with the legendary John Wooden. As the Huskies cut down the nets in San Antonio Auriemma said, “John Wooden is just in a class by himself.”

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: UConn at Seton Hall Women's Basketball

by Ray Floriani

NEWARK, NJ - The UCONN Huskies opened the Big East in convincing fashion. The defending national champions romped over Seton Hall 81-24 at the Prudential Center on Saturday afternoon. In a game whose result undoubtedly chilled the hearts of their Big East sisters, the Huskies went on a 17-0 run after the score was tied at two and never looked back.



In a 74 possession game, the Efficiency and Factors:

	Off		FTA
	Eff	eFG%	FGA	OR%	TO%
UConn	123	61	13	32	15
Seton Hall	32	21	4	17	38

Seton Hall Coach Phyllis Mangina said that not making shots and turning the ball over have been a problem all season for her team. “When you do that against an opponent like UConn the problem magnifies,” she said. The effective field goal percentage and turnover rate for the Pirates are marked examples of their main problems. The Hall managed just 9 field goals on the afternoon, shooting 9 of 52 from the field. Their two point percentage (5 of 31 for 16%) was actually lower than their three point accuracy (4 of 21 for 19%).

UConn shot 38 of 67 (57%) from the floor and had a resounding 32 of 49 for 65% from two point range. It should be noted not all the Husky two pointers were in the paint as UConn has a mid range game which is the envy of some men’s programs.

The lopsided score, 52-12 UCONN at the half, does not tell all . In other words this was not a repeat of Duke’s 117-28 devastation of North Carolina Central earlier in the week as Geno Auriemma‘s club did not run it up on the Hall. The Huskies did not press full or three quarter court for one possession. In the first half they half court trapped a few possessions than quickly took it off. Minutes were spread throughout the entire cast on hand. From 23 minutes for Tina Charles and reserve Megan Gardler to 11 minutes posted by Jacquie Fernandes. UConn is simply that good and as Mangina added , “you have to shoot very well to have any chance of beating them.” Or of being in the game.

Last week it was noted NCCU’s 33 offensive efficiency was the lowest yours truly saw or computed in roughly two decades of points per possession studies. Seton Hall’s .32 or 32 offensive efficiency broke that personal mark.

Efficiency experts. Entering the game the Huskies had an unheard of +55 efficiency margin. That is, the difference between offensive and defensive efficiency. Seton Hall’s +3 could have been higher with some better offense as the defense was keeping their end of the bargain.

	Efficiency
	Off.	Def.	Margin
UConn	119	64	+55
Seton Hall	86	83	+03

The chart that follows is the four UConn scoring leaders for the contest. The efficiency figures, notably efficiency per minute, are outstanding.

		Efficiency
	Pts	Rtg	/Min
Tina Charles	19	27	1.170
Kalana Greene	16	14	0.824
Meghan Gardler	16	20	0.870
Maya Moore	14	20	0.909

Tina Charles, UConn’s 6-4 senior center, has been outstanding. Charles came on strong the latter part of the year especially in the NCAA tournament and has picked right up this season. She added 8 rebounds and shot 8 of 10 from the floor.

Seton Hall did not have a player in double figures and was led by junior guard Ebonie Williams with 9 points.

UConn improved to 12-0. Their ‘closest’ game being a 12 point win over number two ranked Stanford just before Christmas.

The Hall falls to 8-6 and hosts Syracuse on Tuesday. “There are things to learn from this game but we have to put it behind us,” Mangina said. “In the Big East you need a big ego and a short memory.”

On facing a team UConn has defeated 25 straight times : “Our kids do not realize the history of the series. What we do every game is simply prepare for the opponent at hand. We focus on each team and get ready in the same manner.” UConn Coach Geno Auriemma

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: NCAA Women's Finals

By Ray Floriani

LYNDHURST, NJ -- At the outset of the final game telecast, the analysts referred to the 1985 NCAA men’s championship where Villanova upset heavily favored Georgetown. That was the recurring theme. What you had to do in order to defeat a highly regarded opponent who defeated you twice in regular season.

As the game, won decisively 76-54 by UConn, wore on however, the thoughts turned away from that ’85 classic and towards the UCLA teams of the early Seventies. And how teams could come out strong, as Louisville did leading 9-6 at the 16:00 time out, only to have the opposition cash in on mistakes, go on a run and suddenly have a double digit lead. To defeat UCLA in their "hey day" with John Wooden on the sidelines you needed to be A. good and B. play a near perfect game. Louisville is good -- excellent in fact -- but they played a less than perfect game. Credit UConn with that. Their defense and offensive options such as Renee Montgomery at the point, Tina Charles (a double double by halftime) down low and Maya Moore allover, can do that to you. Geno Auriemma’s club finished 39-0 with not one opponent coming within double digits of them. The Wizard of Westwood is undoubtedly a UConn admirer. And not just for the record but the way they play the game like true champions. The numbers:

	Poss.	PPP	eFG%	TO%
UConn	67	1.13	53.0	18.0
Louisville	66	0.82	34.0	14.0

A slower pace, that was Louisville’s objective early on, to eat the clock and shorten the game. Once UConn had a double digit lead, especially during the second half, the Cardinals were forced to quicken the tempo. Louisville took good care of the ball but UConn’s defense made its mark as the Cardinals struggled to make shots. During one nine minute stretch from late first to early second half, the Cardinals did not hit a field goal. Angel McCoughty led Louisville with 23 points but struggled from the field shooting 9 of 24.

UCONN had a better than average TO rate (TO%) considering they faced a good amount of traps and pressure. Geno Auriemma’s club made Louisville pay by breaking the pressure and attacking the basket. Charles with an outstanding 25 point 19 rebound effort to earn Final Four MVP.

Louisville finished 34-5. The Cardinals were runnerup in the Big East Conference and defeated Maryland and Oklahoma to ensure an all Big East Final. An outstanding season in their own right for coach Jeff Walz and Co.

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Women's NCAA Report

by Ray Foriani

TRENTON. NJ - With the parity and upsets these days in women’s basketball (see Ball state -Tennessee) maybe UCONN might have started thinking a bit. There were just over 6 minutes remaining in the first half and they trailed California 31-23 in the Trenton Regional semifinal at Sovereign Bank Arena. The numbers and body of work were less than their standard.

	Poss	PPP
UConn	22	1.05
Cal	22	1.41

The last six plus minutes saw the Huskies find the range and, most important, lock down defensively. The Cal numbers over those minutes...

	Poss	PPP	Pts
Cal	15	0.13	2

The Huskies had a 35-33 halftime lead and , of greater significance, the momentum. They came out strong the second half. Cal did not have an answer and soon a very competitive game was shaping as a rout. The UCONN defensive numbers those final 26 plus minutes are quite an eye opener.

	Poss	PPP	Pts
Cal	42	0.52	22

Offensively the Huskies turned in this performance over that juncture.

	Poss	PPP	Pts
UConn	41	1.32	54

The final totals in the 77-54 decision.

	Poss	PPP	TO%	eFG%
UConn	63	1.22	11	52
Cal	64	0.83	25	38

Freshman guard Tiffany Hayes sparked UCONN hitting a few big shots when Cal had that lead ad threatened to get it to double digits. Hayes finished with a game high 28 points. Hayes was an uncanny 9 of 10 from the field, including 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. In fact the Huskies shot 56% (9 for 16) from three point range and 40% (19 for 47) from two. Ashley Walker led Cal with 21 points but only five following intermission.

In the nightcap both coaches expected a grind it out defensive battle. What they got was an entertaining offensive affair. Arizona State pulled the big upset stopping second seed Texas A & M 84-69. With 11 minutes left in the half it was an eleven possession game, the score was tied at 19 and both clubs had an astounding 1.73 PPP. At the half it ’settled’ to this.

	Score	Poss	PPP	TO%	eFG%
Arizona St	42	32	1.31	25	69
Texas A & M	37	34	1.09	21	57

For most of the second half it was a two possession lead with Arizona State in front. In the stretch the Sun Devils pulled away as A & M gambled and in the latter minutes was in a fouling mode trying to extend the contest. The final numbers:

	Score	Poss	PPP	TO%	eFG%
Arizona St	84	69	1.22	26	66
Texas A & M	69	72	0.96	24	49

That defense did show up the second half as Arizona State limited their opponents to 42% shooting from the field. ASU guard Briann January led all scorers with 22 points. Hot shooting carried to the charity stripe as ASU was 18 of 21 and Texas A & M perfect in ten tries. On Tuesday it’s UConn and Arizona State in what may be an interesting contest with a trip to St.Louis at stake.

Quotes: "Geno (Auriemma) is a hall of fame coach and this is one of his best teams for a number of reasons. It is an incredible opportunity to play them." - Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne

"We haven’t given it a lot of thought. At this time your entire focus is the next game. We were concerned about playing today. If you don’t win today you do not play on Tuesday." - UCONN coach Geno Auriemma on being top ranked and undefeated.