Tag: UConn

Notre Dame tunes up for tough week with win over Wake Forest

The Irish really will need to step up their game soon.

Notre Dame is preparing for some heavy duty this coming week. A rematch with Syracuse, which it already lost to, and a road game at UConn means good efforts will be absolutely necessary. First though, visiting Wake Forest, the worst team in the ACC was on the schedule. While the Irish won, 75-56, they didn’t always play like the better team.

The Irish (14-3, 5-2) never trailed in the game, and the final score indicated their biggest lead. However, it also never felt like the Demon Deacons (4-15, 0-7) ever really went away despite trailing by double digits the entire second half. With the difference between these teams, the Irish should have been able to leave the Deacons in the dust. That barely felt like the case.

Maybe this sounds like an overly critical analysis, but that’s only because the Irish are held to such a high standard being ranked in a tough conference. Scoring fewer than 20 points in the third and fourth quarters as they did hear won’t cut it against the Orange and Huskies. [autotag]Niele Ivey[/autotag] needs to emphasize that to her players, or they could be in for a rude awakening over these next couple of games.

[autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] had another nice game of 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. [autotag]Sonia Citron[/autotag] continued to make up for lost time from earlier the season with 18 points and joining Hidalgo with four rebounds and four assists. [autotag]Maddy Westbeld[/autotag] scored 10 points and was a rebound short of a double-double. [autotag]KK Bransford[/autotag] also scored 10 coming off the bench.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Niele Ivey, Hannah Hidalgo, KK Bransford speak after Notre Dame win

Hear from the victors.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – It was all smiles for Notre Dame after it defeated Miami, 70-59. Niele Ivey had nothing but praise for both her team at the folks who came out to Purcell Pavilion over the course of the Irish’s three-game homestand, especially those who braved freezing temperatures and bitter wind chills to come to this game.

Praise especially was reserved for [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag], who had another amazing game of 25 points and seven steals and even rewrote the program’s record books with this performance, and [autotag]KK Bransford[/autotag], who made a difference with 10 points in the first half.

The Irish now will hit the road for four of their next five games, which includes a break from ACC play, though it’s a game at UConn that promises to be no less challenging. That’s why it was important for them to play well in these past three games, of which they won two.

Here’s what they had to say after this latest victory:

Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo on Wooden Award Midseason Watch List

Another honor for the freshman.

Notre Dame’s [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] continues to show what she’s made of, which is something very special. In fact, she’s so special that she’s starting to get national attention as a freshman. That includes consideration for the Wooden Award, given to the national player of the year. Yes, Hidalgo has made the award’s midseason watch list.

Hidalgo is one of three freshmen on the 25-player list, the others being USC’s JuJu Watkins and LSU’s Mikaylah Williams. Any of them winning it would mean only the second freshman to win the award since it first was given in 2004. Paige Bueckers of UConn won it in 2021.

Defending award winner Caitlin Clark of Iowa also is on the list and figures to at least be in the running until the very end. Four other ACC players were named to the list, too. Needless to say, Hidalgo faces some stiff competition, but it’s great that she’s gotten this far.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

2024 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Projecting the first round with Ja’Kobe Walter leading the way

The 2023 NBA Draft is challenging to predict but that won’t stop us from trying.

The 2024 NBA Draft is a genuinely challenging class to predict but that isn’t going to stop us from trying.

At this point in the season, there aren’t many players who have separated themselves as “can’t miss” prospects. Similarly, many players have clumped together in a similar tier and it is hard to differentiate much between many of those names.

If you’re into uncertainty and like the thrill of the unexpected, this is a fun group of players to evaluate because anything can happen and lots can (and will) change. But for those who want something more clear-cut, this process may become more frustrating.

Our mock draft looks different than some others around the industry and we expect that to remain true until the draft happens. Lots of factors will weigh into how teams evaluate these prospects and so that makes predictions even more hard to pinpoint than usual. While there is a lot we have learned, there is lots more to learn as well.

Unless noted otherwise, all data outside of the NCAA was pulled from our friends at Cerebro Sports — you can create a free account to evaluate player performance across all levels globally.

Our order was determined based on expected wins averaged out from ESPN, Basketball Reference and Cleaning the Glass. The teams outside the top eight in each conference were considered lottery squads. Trades were pulled from this database at RealGM.

The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Gakdeng’s double-double not enough as Tar Heels fall to UConn

The UNC women’s basketball team had a chance to make a statement Sunday afternoon, but lost 76-64 against UConn. What exactly went wrong?

Good teams beat opponents they should beat.

UNC’s women’s basketball program has done exactly that this year, winning games against Gardner-Webb, Davidson, Hampton, Elon, Vermont and UNCG.

The Tar Heels have also struggled against stronger teams, losing all three of their games against ranked opponents (fourth to unranked FGCU). Their latest lost to a ranked team came on Sunday, Dec. 10, losing 76-64 to UConn in the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.

Carolina was super close with the 11-time National Champions, tied at 36 apiece during the halftime break. A 29-13 third quarter in the Huskies’ advantage, however, was the ultimate difference-maker.

Individual accomplishments in games, especially firsts, are always caused for celebration. They don’t feel as good in a loss, but still are means for celebration.

One of UNC’s individual accomplishments to be celebrated came from 6’3″ forward/center Maria Gakdeng, the Boston College transfer who recorded a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double for her first as a Tar Heel. Gakdeng was also the only Tar Heel who shot over 50 percent from the field, going 6-of-9.

Every UNC started scored in double-figures, led by 14 from Gakdeng. Iowa State transfer Lexi Donarski notched 12, star guard Deja Kelly netted 11, while Alyssa Ustby and Indya Nivar each recorded 10.

Carolina should grab an easy win in its next game, hosting the 2-8 Western Carolina Catamounts on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. ET.

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Justin Joly provides update on visiting Tennessee

UConn transfer tight end Justin Joly provides update on visiting Tennessee.

UConn sophomore tight end Justin Joly entered the NCAA transfer portal on Nov. 30.

Joly has two years of eligibility remaining.

The Vols offered a scholarship to Joly on Monday.

“After a great talk with Alec Abeln, I’m blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee,” he announced.

On Thursday, Joly provided an update on his upcoming visit to Tennessee.

“I will not be going on an official visit to Tennessee this weekend, things have changed and my weekend is now open,” he announced.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound tight end recorded 74 receptions for 828 yards and four touchdowns from 2022-233 at UConn.

Tennessee defeated UConn, 59-3, on Nov. 4 at Neyland Stadium. Joly led the Huskies in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (89) against Tennessee.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football wears Summitt Blue against UConn

RJ Davis gives a positive spin about the loss against UConn

North Carolina Tar Heel RJ Davis gives a positive spin following the 87-76 loss against UConn.

Tuesday night did not go as planned for the UNC men’s basketball program, losing 87-76 to the national defending champions UConn.

The game was a battle of runs, with both teams having success throughout the game despite what the lopsided score suggests. One of those runs came from [autotag]RJ Davis[/autotag], who once again lit up the scoring sheet after finishing 26 points for his fourth straight game of 26 points or more.

After the frustrating loss, Davis spoke with the media about what went wrong, yet how he kept a positive mindset.

“We stuck around there, we were competing on both sides of the floor,” Davis said. “Sometimes the basketball doesn’t bounce your way. One thing I can take from this game is how resilient we are. It’s a lot of improvements and encouraging points that can be taken from this game. I know it’s a long season, and we have a lot of things to work on, but I think the things we have to work on are all positive things…”

Davis followed up about where the team stands nine games into the season.

“I think we are in a pretty good spot. We have a really good basketball team here, from the starters to the bench. We have everyone who contributes and so many different ways. In terms of improvement, I think of the little things. Talking on the defensive end, and taking care of turnovers, and getting back into our transition offense.”

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Huskies catch fire while Heels go cold in Jimmy V Classic

UConn was a great test to see how good UNC basketball was. The Tar Heels kept it close, but shooting woes doomed them in the second half.

Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden was the center of college basketball.

Florida Atlantic, Illinois, UConn and UNC took the hardwood for the annual Jimmy V Classic. FAU and Illinois faced off first, followed by a matchup between Carolina and the reigning NCAA Champions.

While UNC kept closing its second half deficit, its shooting woes ultimately doomed it in an 87-76 loss.

At this stage of the year, UConn was going to be a good gauge of how legit the Tar Heels were. Playing a good team like the Huskies is tough for anyone, but even the best teams are able to keep things close at times.

If you’re Carolina, the most exciting part of Tuesday night were the second-half runs that brought play within a couple possessions. UNC took advantage of a couple rare UConn misses, cashing in on layups, jump shots and getting to the line.

Yet every time the Tar Heels closed the gap, they couldn’t seem to make that one play needed to tie or take the lead. You can attribute this to the Huskies’ hot shooting, with them ending the night over 50 percent from the field.

Cam Spencer was arguably UConn’s best player, going 8-for-13 on field goals, 4-for-5 on free throws, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out a team-high six assists. Four of five Husky starters scored in double-digits and shot over 50 percent, with 7’2″ center Donovan Clingen being the lone exception.

Outside of R.J. Davis and Harrison Ingram, Carolina’s offense was anemic. Despite recording a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double, Armando Bacot only made 4-of-12 shots. Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan also suffered through his worst game in Tar Heel blue, making just 3-of-10 shots and missing all six attempts from deep.

Player of the Game

It’s got to be Harrison Ingram. The Stanford transfer was one of three Tar Heels to score in double figures (20 points), plus he led his team in 3-point percentage (3-for-4).

Best of all, Ingram was the only Tar Heel to shoot over 50 percent (8-for-13).

When Carolina was down by double-digits early in the second half, it seemed like Ingram was the guy who couldn’t miss. He was aggressive – but smart – when shooting the ball. He was at the glass for cleanups and drove the lane for easier baskets.

What’s next?

UNC has some time off for final exams, then heads down to the ATL for a battle with Kentucky, on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. ET in the CBS Sports Classic. The Wildcats, coming off a home loss to UNC-Wilmington, will host Penn before taking on the Heels.

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Social media reacts to UNC’s frustrating loss to UCONN

Social media reacts to UNC’s frustrating 87-76 loss to UCONN, giving them their second loss.

The North Carolina men’s basketball program kicked off its first night in the Big Apple with a meeting against the defending national champions UConn, and it had social media jumping from the start.

After a fiery experience last season, playing in Madison Square Garden, including a Pete Nance bucket to force overtime, UNC found that same spark in Mecca this go-round with the energy oozing from the arena through television screens.

It was clear from the start that the refs would be watching this one closely, calling tick-for-tack calls that gave hoop fans a fit on social media. UConn’s Cam Spencer also grabbed the attention of fans, becoming the annoying little brother with 16 first-half points while yapping at UNC players.

[autotag]Armando Bacot[/autotag] met Spencer’s energy but received a tech in the process, making UNC fans more angry at the refereeing.

The second half was even more of a roller coaster, with UNC crawling back multiple times before frustratingly getting back down double digits. Despite the loss, UNC had some good moments, with [autotag]RJ Davis[/autotag] catching fire and leaving a positive outlook on UNC’s future.

From the good to the bad, let’s look at how social media reacted to UNC’s frustrating loss to UConn.

Tennessee offers UConn tight end Justin Joly

Tennessee offers UConn tight end Justin Joly.

UConn sophomore tight end Justin Joly entered the NCAA transfer portal on Nov. 30.

“I am entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility,” Joly said.

Tennessee offered a scholarship to Joly on Monday.

“After a great talk with Alec Abeln, I’m blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee,” Joly announced.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound tight end recorded 74 receptions for 828 yards and four touchdowns from 2022-233 at UConn.

Tennessee defeated UConn, 59-3, on Nov. 4 at Neyland Stadium. Joly led the Huskies in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (89) against Tennessee.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football wears Summitt Blue against UConn

READ: Updated Tennessee football NCAA transfer portal tracker