Preview:
This game is billed as the second coming of the national championship game from last spring, and while we have lost Williams and Arizona has lost McDonald, the teams certainly know each other inside and out.
Arizona come to Maples ranked 8th by every poll. Arizona's best win was at the very beginning of the year against Louisville, but they have also beaten No. 22 Colorado. USC shocked Arizona and Oregon edged them in overtime, putting them at 15-2, 5-2 in conference.
Arizona is an excellent defensive team and a good offensive team. They hold opponents to 55 points and average 20 points off of turnovers, also averaging 11 steals per game. NOT turning the ball over will be crucial--they have the advantage on ball control.
Arizona's rebounding is fairly average--about the same as their opponents. We might have an advantage there.
The loss of McDonald has forced Arizona to diversity its offense, and it may make them harder to defend in a way. Cate Reese, their 6'2" senior forward from the Ogwumikes' vicinity is leading their scoring at 15 ppg. She is better from mid range and closer, but does hit 25% of her treys and she attempts them regularly.
5'8" senior guard Shaina Pellington is second in scoring at 10 ppg, and is hitting a whopping 49% of her shots overall.
6' forward Sam Thomas came back this year, and is hitting an astounding 49% of her treys--she has made 33 of them so far. This is a big step up from last year and her productivity is one of the ways Arizona has back-filled for McDonald.
Arizona also has a freshman guard Madison who comes off the bench to hit threes at a 39% clip, as well as Pueyo who "only" hits 37%. Combine those two with Sam Thomas and you can see why Arizona this year is a much better three point shooting team.
However, Arizona's strength is still its defense. If they keep the defensive intensity up, produce a lot of turnovers, and get hot from three point range--they could win this game. So our goal is the opposite of all that! We need to have an equally tough defense and bother their three point shots without giving up open lanes, and we need to hang onto the ball better than usual.
I will look forward to seeing a lot of you at the game!
This game is billed as the second coming of the national championship game from last spring, and while we have lost Williams and Arizona has lost McDonald, the teams certainly know each other inside and out.
Arizona come to Maples ranked 8th by every poll. Arizona's best win was at the very beginning of the year against Louisville, but they have also beaten No. 22 Colorado. USC shocked Arizona and Oregon edged them in overtime, putting them at 15-2, 5-2 in conference.
Arizona is an excellent defensive team and a good offensive team. They hold opponents to 55 points and average 20 points off of turnovers, also averaging 11 steals per game. NOT turning the ball over will be crucial--they have the advantage on ball control.
Arizona's rebounding is fairly average--about the same as their opponents. We might have an advantage there.
The loss of McDonald has forced Arizona to diversity its offense, and it may make them harder to defend in a way. Cate Reese, their 6'2" senior forward from the Ogwumikes' vicinity is leading their scoring at 15 ppg. She is better from mid range and closer, but does hit 25% of her treys and she attempts them regularly.
5'8" senior guard Shaina Pellington is second in scoring at 10 ppg, and is hitting a whopping 49% of her shots overall.
6' forward Sam Thomas came back this year, and is hitting an astounding 49% of her treys--she has made 33 of them so far. This is a big step up from last year and her productivity is one of the ways Arizona has back-filled for McDonald.
Arizona also has a freshman guard Madison who comes off the bench to hit threes at a 39% clip, as well as Pueyo who "only" hits 37%. Combine those two with Sam Thomas and you can see why Arizona this year is a much better three point shooting team.
However, Arizona's strength is still its defense. If they keep the defensive intensity up, produce a lot of turnovers, and get hot from three point range--they could win this game. So our goal is the opposite of all that! We need to have an equally tough defense and bother their three point shots without giving up open lanes, and we need to hang onto the ball better than usual.
I will look forward to seeing a lot of you at the game!
