It is pretty clear that with Rennia Davis being Tennessee's dominant scorer, and with Tara's scouting report defense that focuses on forcing a team to score with their lesser players--the focus tonight for our defense will be taking Rennia Davis away. But how? She is a quick 6'2" guard who can shoot from three, the midrange, and take it to the rim. Williams and Wilson give up a lot of height to her, Lexie gives up 2 inches but maybe she is the defender we use--or do we put Jones on Davis?
Then you look at Jordan Horston, the other 6'2" guard, but she shoots threes at 36%. The three point shot is not Tennessee's favorite thing to do, but if we focus on Davis we have to have someone tall enough and agile enough to keep Horston from heating up at the three point line.
I really wonder who Williams will defend. Probably Massengill since she is the "shortest" at 6' and does not take many three point shots--so is less a threat to shoot over Williams. But Massengill is long for a 6 footer and can drive--and Williams has sometimes had problems keeping people in front of her. I'll be watching early to see how well Williams can defend her mark.
The Tennessee fans, by the way, are worried about Williams. Small, speedy guards apparently have given Tennessee problems--so on offense Williams may be an asset. However, as for point guard duties, it is difficult for someone as short as Williams is to made good entrance passes against such a tall, lengthy team. Maybe we will see Jones at point for more time than normal.
The key to the game might come down to how well Prectel, Belibi, and Fingall do on offense against the Tennessee 6'5" center. If we can score inside--something no one else has really been able to do--then everything else will open up too. Tamari Key is a freshman just like Prechtel; they have a 6'4" junior center and another 6'5" freshman center backing her up. Can we evade the blocks and get enough room to maneuver inside for a credible offensive threat down low? Or will we be forced to stick to breakaways and jumpshots? I bet we will find out early in the game.
I also think at some point we will see Tennessee "go big" and maybe put two centers in, sag and clog the paint, and dare us to make treys. If we have an "off" night shooting the three, then Tennessee may stick with the plan and we would likely lose. If Jump and company start making 3s then Tennessee will clog the paint less and we'll get back to a more normal game. So making our three point shots early on will be crucial. A cold shooting night would be fatal.
Then you look at Jordan Horston, the other 6'2" guard, but she shoots threes at 36%. The three point shot is not Tennessee's favorite thing to do, but if we focus on Davis we have to have someone tall enough and agile enough to keep Horston from heating up at the three point line.
I really wonder who Williams will defend. Probably Massengill since she is the "shortest" at 6' and does not take many three point shots--so is less a threat to shoot over Williams. But Massengill is long for a 6 footer and can drive--and Williams has sometimes had problems keeping people in front of her. I'll be watching early to see how well Williams can defend her mark.
The Tennessee fans, by the way, are worried about Williams. Small, speedy guards apparently have given Tennessee problems--so on offense Williams may be an asset. However, as for point guard duties, it is difficult for someone as short as Williams is to made good entrance passes against such a tall, lengthy team. Maybe we will see Jones at point for more time than normal.
The key to the game might come down to how well Prectel, Belibi, and Fingall do on offense against the Tennessee 6'5" center. If we can score inside--something no one else has really been able to do--then everything else will open up too. Tamari Key is a freshman just like Prechtel; they have a 6'4" junior center and another 6'5" freshman center backing her up. Can we evade the blocks and get enough room to maneuver inside for a credible offensive threat down low? Or will we be forced to stick to breakaways and jumpshots? I bet we will find out early in the game.
I also think at some point we will see Tennessee "go big" and maybe put two centers in, sag and clog the paint, and dare us to make treys. If we have an "off" night shooting the three, then Tennessee may stick with the plan and we would likely lose. If Jump and company start making 3s then Tennessee will clog the paint less and we'll get back to a more normal game. So making our three point shots early on will be crucial. A cold shooting night would be fatal.