It would be easy to simply discuss the dominance Connecticut has inflicted on the women’s college basketball world in the past year and half. After all, for the past 57 games, it has been Connecticut and everybody else.
The Huskies extended their streak with an 81-48 pounding of then-No. 7 Duke Monday night to improve to 18-0 on the season.
Connecticut is outscoring its opponents by 39.3 points per game, and its closest game thus far was an 80-68 triumph over Stanford.
Is there anybody who will even put up a fight and challenge Connecticut to end its own record of 70 straight wins? It’s possible, but unlikely. The two most likely candidates: West Virginia and Georgetown.
Mountaineers stifling opponents with lockdown defense
West Virginia is fresh off a 2-0 week and has climbed to No. 11 in the latest USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll. The lofty ranking ties a school record for the highest ever, matching the same mark set last season.
The 17-1 Mountaineers are one of two Big East teams to be holding their opponents to less than 50 ppg and currently rank fourth in the nation at 49.9 points per contest.
The stout defense was on display last week, first with a 45-41 victory over Villanova and then with a 69-54 over then-No. 22 Pittsburgh.
West Virginia boasts a well-balanced lineup, featuring three players who average double digits in scoring, led by junior guard Liz Repella’s 14.4 ppg.
Hoyas’ streak earns highest ranking in program history
Georgetown extended its winning streak to 15 straight games following a 60-56 victory at Cincinnati Tuesday night.
The No. 18 ranking the Hoyas received in the latest poll is the highest in program history. The Hoyas have not lost since a 62-59 setback to Dayton on Nov. 20.
The Hoyas are led by freshman Ta’Shauna “Sugar” Rodgers’ 18.4 ppg for a team that averages over 72 per contest. Georgetown improved to 16-2 overall and 5-0 in conference action with the Cincinnati win.
Two games to watch
No. 11 West Virginia at No. 5 Notre Dame, Sunday Jan. 24:
The Irish find themselves in a tie for fourth place in the Big East standings, despite a 3-1 record in conference play. The 70-46 loss to Connecticut Saturday, however, knocked the Irish to No. 5, their lowest ranking of the season. The game is also big for a West Virginia team that looks to keep pace with Connecticut and Georgetown in the race for the conference title.
Rutgers at No. 1 Connecticut, Tuesday Jan. 26:
The Huskies don’t need an introduction, but if the Scarlet Knights want any chance at knocking off Connecticut on the road, they will need a huge contribution from senior Brittany Ray, who averages a team best 16.7 ppg.
Player of the Week
Connecticut’s Tina Charles led the Huskies with averages of 23 ppg and 12 rebounds per game last week in wins over Marquette and Notre Dame. Charles recorded 23 points, 11 rebounds and two steals while going 8-for-14 from the field and 7-of-9 from the foul line against Marquette. Against Notre Dame, Charles added 23 points again on 9-for-12 shooting from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the foul line, while also grabbing 12 rebounds.
