Preview:
Reeling after its second overtime loss and its 5th loss in the last 6 games, our beloved WBB team returns to Maples and a friendlier environment to host Florida State. Unfortunately, it only gets harder.
Florida State is 13-2 and ranked 23rd by Massey and 24th in the coaches poll. They lost single digit games to Illinois and Tennessee early on, but are now on a 5 game winning streak. Their best wins were over Texas Tech and Virginia Tech.
Statistically, Florida State is a high powered, fast paced offensive team that averages 95 points per game, and outscores its opponents by 28 ppg. They have particularly large advantages over their opponents in threes made, steals, and blocks, and are a little more even in rebounding.
FSU's top scorer is Ta'Niya Jackson, who is averaging 28 ppg in only 28 minutes per game. She hits 46% of her threes and 51% overall--with 5/6 of her attempts NOT coming from three point range. I presume the very high percentage reflects lots and lots and lots of layups. She is a 5'8" junior guard who has actually NEVER transferred anywhere and has been a record-breaking starter since she was a freshman. She is on all the Naismith/Drysdale/Wooden watch lists. Given that guards of this type have been our nemesis, I have a sinking feeling that when we put five people on the court we will be putting 10 Achilles heels out there. Clearly our success will begin--but certainly not end--with figuring out a way to defend this superstar.
Florida State, however, has three other players in double digits, which is not easy when the top player is scoring nearly 30 a game. Defense will not be only a matter of stopping Jackson. Mikayla Timpson is a 6'2" senior forward scoring 18ppg on 54% shooting, while not making a trey this season. She leads the team with 11 rpg and has 47 blocks on the season. Clearly she is an inside presence on offense and defense to be reckoned with, and is taller and more experienced than Agara. I hope Agara has her mid range shot ready to go.
O'Mariah Gordon is FSU's third leading scorer at 17 ppg. She is a 5'4" senior guard with 60 assists to 16 turnovers on the season, not to mention 46 steals.
I could go on but by now you should get the picture. FSU is experienced, very fast, with a strong inside player and a bevy of quick guards, including their superstar. They are coached by Brooke Wycoff, who was an assistant to longtime FSU coach Sue Semrau a couple of years ago and has had nothing but success so far.
Given how the season has gone and who is coming to town, I almost expect to see Kate have us play a lot of zone. There may be no other way to prevent FSU from making this into a layup-fest, given that our guards have not been able to keep up with other speedy guards. FSU can hit jumpers, but we probably have a better chance if that is how they have to make their points. I also expect Kate to try to slow the game down--FSU will benefit from an up-and-down fast break mentality and could become frustrated if they have to win a relatively low scoring game as opposed to scoring their usual 95 points. And of course we are playing at home, where we have been better. It would be good if a lot of fans turned out and let the team know they are still appreciated. I think they may need that.
Reeling after its second overtime loss and its 5th loss in the last 6 games, our beloved WBB team returns to Maples and a friendlier environment to host Florida State. Unfortunately, it only gets harder.
Florida State is 13-2 and ranked 23rd by Massey and 24th in the coaches poll. They lost single digit games to Illinois and Tennessee early on, but are now on a 5 game winning streak. Their best wins were over Texas Tech and Virginia Tech.
Statistically, Florida State is a high powered, fast paced offensive team that averages 95 points per game, and outscores its opponents by 28 ppg. They have particularly large advantages over their opponents in threes made, steals, and blocks, and are a little more even in rebounding.
FSU's top scorer is Ta'Niya Jackson, who is averaging 28 ppg in only 28 minutes per game. She hits 46% of her threes and 51% overall--with 5/6 of her attempts NOT coming from three point range. I presume the very high percentage reflects lots and lots and lots of layups. She is a 5'8" junior guard who has actually NEVER transferred anywhere and has been a record-breaking starter since she was a freshman. She is on all the Naismith/Drysdale/Wooden watch lists. Given that guards of this type have been our nemesis, I have a sinking feeling that when we put five people on the court we will be putting 10 Achilles heels out there. Clearly our success will begin--but certainly not end--with figuring out a way to defend this superstar.
Florida State, however, has three other players in double digits, which is not easy when the top player is scoring nearly 30 a game. Defense will not be only a matter of stopping Jackson. Mikayla Timpson is a 6'2" senior forward scoring 18ppg on 54% shooting, while not making a trey this season. She leads the team with 11 rpg and has 47 blocks on the season. Clearly she is an inside presence on offense and defense to be reckoned with, and is taller and more experienced than Agara. I hope Agara has her mid range shot ready to go.
O'Mariah Gordon is FSU's third leading scorer at 17 ppg. She is a 5'4" senior guard with 60 assists to 16 turnovers on the season, not to mention 46 steals.
I could go on but by now you should get the picture. FSU is experienced, very fast, with a strong inside player and a bevy of quick guards, including their superstar. They are coached by Brooke Wycoff, who was an assistant to longtime FSU coach Sue Semrau a couple of years ago and has had nothing but success so far.
Given how the season has gone and who is coming to town, I almost expect to see Kate have us play a lot of zone. There may be no other way to prevent FSU from making this into a layup-fest, given that our guards have not been able to keep up with other speedy guards. FSU can hit jumpers, but we probably have a better chance if that is how they have to make their points. I also expect Kate to try to slow the game down--FSU will benefit from an up-and-down fast break mentality and could become frustrated if they have to win a relatively low scoring game as opposed to scoring their usual 95 points. And of course we are playing at home, where we have been better. It would be good if a lot of fans turned out and let the team know they are still appreciated. I think they may need that.