UConn-Idaho Game Preview
UConn (29-4, 14-2 Big East) vs Idaho (17-15, 11-7 WAC)
Saturday, March 23, 2013, 1:30 pm
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs CT
Probable Starters
UConn Huskies
| #5 Caroline Doty | 5-10 G, RSr | 3.5 pts | 2.3 asst |
2.2 reb |
| #14 Bria Hartley | 5-10 G, Jr | 9.0 pts | 3.7 asst | 3.2 reb |
| #34 Kelly Faris | 5-11 G, Sr | 10.4 pts | 4.0 asst | 5.6 reb |
| #23 Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis | 6-0 F, So | 17.4 pts | 2.4 asst | 6.5 reb |
| #31 Stefanie Dolson | 6-5 C, Jr | 14.4 pts | 3.2 asst | 7.0 reb |
Idaho Vandals
| #35 Connie Ballestero | 5-9 G, Fr | 7.4 pts | 3.4 asst | 3.8 reb |
| #10 Stacey Barr | 5-8 G, So | 10.8 pts | 1.8 asst | 5.4 reb |
| #1 Christina Salvatore | 5-11 W, Fr | 10.6 pts | 1.4 asst | 5.0 reb |
| #33 Alyssa Charleston | 6-1 G/F, Jr | 13.7 pts | 1.2 asst | 7.0 reb |
| #13 Ali Forde | 6-2 F, Fr | 6.5 pts | 1.3 asst | 7.5 reb |
Idaho has a problem. Well, more than one, really, but the one problem that pops out immediately is that the tallest player on the Idaho team is only 6’2” – and she’s a freshman. The entire Vandals roster has only two players over 6’0. UConn, with its assortment of taller post players, is a very bad match-up for Idaho.
Another potential problem is that Idaho is a very young team. It has only one senior that averages more than 4 minutes a game. I say potential problem because young players can either be overwhelmed by the moment – playing a seven-time national champion on its home court – or they can be so young that they have no fear of anyone. UConn would be wise not to overlook Idaho’s now-seasoned youngsters.
Idaho’s leading scorer is Alyssa Charleston, a 6’1” junior who’s listed as a G/P on the Vandal roster. Even though Charleston will shoot the three ball, and she makes a really good percentage of those shots (45.6%), she’s attempted only 57 threes in 31 games. Most of her damage is done around the basket. A problem for Charleston is that she’s one of three Idaho players that has fouled out three times this season.
The other forwards on the Idaho team that may see considerable time on the court are 6’2” freshman Ali Forde and 6’0” senior Jessica Graham. Forde starts at center for Idaho and Graham (6.2 points, 4.4 reb) was a starter earlier in the year. The youngster Forde is another of the players that’s fouled out three times, but she’s been improving as the season has progressed. Surprisingly, Forde leads the Vandals in steals, unsurprisingly, she has – by far – the most offensive rebounds on the team. The Huskies will need to box her out. Her fellow frontcourt player, Graham, will also step out to take threes but only infrequently.
There are many more guards and guard/forward types (6) than forwards (2) for Idaho. The roster lists four other players but none of them have played more than 18 games this season. Three of the frequently-played guards, sophomore Stacey Barr (10.8 points, 5.4 reb), freshman Christina Salvatore (10.6 points, 5.0 reb) and Connie Ballestero (7.4 points, 3.8 reb) have taken 936 shots this season, about the same as the other five players combined. The problem with this is that they make only 34.2% of those shots. This is in contrast to Charleston and Forde who make 45.0% (246-547) of their shots.
I imagine that Geno’s strategy will have Stefanie Dolson playing Ali Forde straight up and he’ll put Kelly Faris on Alyssa Charleston. If those two players are slowed, one of the guards is going to have to step up her game. Barr and Salvatore have both led their team in scoring throughout the season; most recently Barr was the leading scorer for Idaho in the WAC tournament and she earned the Tournament MVP award. Problem is, Barr is the third Idaho player that fouled out three times this season. Can she score and defend Bria Hartley without fouling?
Idaho has proved itself to be a valiant team that’s overcome some long odds to win its conference tournament. The youth on the team has improved over the season, which bodes well for coming seasons. However, the Vandals have the misfortune of playing a team that’s not only bigger and more seasoned after playing a tougher schedule, it’s on a mission to get the sour taste of the Big East championship game out if its mouth. Real Time RPI predicts an 87-37 score, which sounds about right.
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