I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed seeing the agonizing look on the face of the Rutgers Coach, C Vivian Stringer, when her team got off to a lousy start at the beginning of yesterday’s Big East match up against our Lady Husky Hoopsters.  Yes, even though the game was never in doubt and therefore, less than exciting, the  69 to 59 victory over the hated Scarlet Knights was definitely a little bit sweeter.  I won’t say  yesterday’s game was a thing of beauty and because, with 23 turnovers, is surely wasn’t. Nonetheless, it did effectively put the icing on the cake and completed another undefeated regular season for the talented and amazing BBall women of UCONN.

Again, it was Renee Montgomery who led the way with 23 points. Even more impressive was her early scoring. She hit 4 early three pointers and that meant the Scarlet Knights had to play from behind to get back in this one.  Stringer knew how tough or impossible that task would be against a team like UCONN and so you could see why she looked sick and in pain while walking the sidelines. Speaking of getting sick, it was reported that a number of the UCONN Ladies had the bug last night and so, the time off, between now and the Big East Tournament couldn’t come at a better time. Montgomery and Hayes were the ones reportedly  ill yet, their may have been others. I don’t think Maya Moore was one of them but, the way she shot threes, might  suggest otherwise. Maya had only 12 points and she again struggled from 3 point range. (0 for 5). Fortunately, we got away with that and because she was 3 for 4 from 2 point range and a perfect 6 for 6 from the charity stripe. Rutgers won the battle of the boards, 30 to 27, as well as turnovers, 17 to UCONN’S ugly 23 so, it’s a good thing the Huskies were 17 of 20 from the foul line and 8 of 20 from 3 point range.

One thing I have to say about Rutgers is that they worked hard and hustled throughout this game. Stringer, although she couldn’t have liked the final score, had to be encouraged with the way her team came back from the 21 to 5 start. We all know that Stringer is a good motivator and so, seeing the way her team played with determination and hustle, couldn’t have gone unnoticed. Unfortunately for them, UCONN’s defense was too good and to the extent the Scarlet Knights shot only 36% (22 of 61) from the floor, for the game.

Although UCONN was 8 for 20 from 3 point range, I would be amiss if I didn’t say that it bothers me that they are shooting the three, not from just behind the line, but instead, often from 2 to 3 feet, longer than they should. WHY, is what I want to ask Geno and his gals? Sure, that may give them more room to launch the shot but, playing and observing years of basketball taught me the following. The further away from the hoop you shoot, the harder it is to score. Along those same lines, have you noticed that Maya Moore, unlike Renee Montgonery, is never set when she shoots a three. It’s always after running or reaching to catch a pass and, although that may have been working before, it hasn’t been lately. Maybe some picks and therefore, wide open looks are what she needs right now. Needless to say, we need her scoring come the NCAA tournament.  after all, other teams are sure to be concentrating on Renee and because, this is the best team and she has consistently been our best player. That said, if she isn’t the BIG EAST player of the year, who the heck is?

I’m out of here! Sic Rick