UConn-Vanderbilt Game Preview

UConn (30-4, 14-2) vs Vanderbilt (21-11, 9-7 SEC)

Monday, March 25, 2013, 7:00 pm
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs CT

Probable Starters

UConn Huskies

#5 Caroline Doty	5-10 G, RSr	3.5 pts	2.4 asst	2.2 reb
#14 Bria Hartley	5-10 G, Jr	9.1 pts	3.8 asst	3.2 reb
#34 Kelly Faris	5-11 G, Sr	10.3 pts	4.0 asst	5.6 reb
#23 Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis	6-0 F, So	17.6 pts	2.4 asst	6.5 reb
#31 Stefanie Dolson	6-5 C, Jr	14.3 pts	3.1 asst	6.9 reb

Vanderbilt Commodores

#11 Jasmine Lister	5-4 G, Jr	12.5 pts	5.2 asst	3.0 reb
#10 Christina Foggie	5-9 G, Jr	13.8 pts	1.8 asst	3.4 reb
#30 Elan Brown	6-0 G, Sr	6.2 pts	1.8 asst	5.6 reb
#3 Heather Bowe	6-0 F, Fr	6.2 pts	1.6 asst	4.4 reb
#34 Tiffany Clarke	6-0 F, Sr	16.7 pts	2.8 asst	8.6 reb

Vanderbilt is yet another team that’s played a variety of players in its starting lineup. Coach Melanie Balcomb appears to be opting for the best match-up over a consistent starting five, for example, she started four guards against the guard-oriented St. Joseph’s. Against the more post dominated Huskies, Balcomb may start two forwards.

Vandy found itself in a struggle against St. Joseph’s in their opening game of the NCAA tournament. It was obvious to objective observers that the two teams were very evenly matched (hence the close seeding at 8 and 9, respectively). Even though Vandy held a lead for much of the game, it was very close with only a brief double digit lead that was nearly completely erased by a more aggressive St. Joe’s team.

Throughout the season, as they were against St. Joe’s, the ‘Dores have been led by senior forward Tiffany Clarke. Although an undersized forward, Clarke has successfully defended bigger players such as Texas A&M’s Kelsey Bone while leading her team in scoring and rebounding. Clarke is the motor that makes Vanderbilt go and she’ll receive the most attention from the Huskies. Unfortunately for her, UConn’s post players were playing at a high level against Idaho and while the competition may not have been enough to slow the Husky post players down, it was the effort and focus that was remarkable. As Clarke has shown no inclination to shoot from the perimeter, she’s going to have to score in the lane, a tough assignment without doubt.

Second leading scorer Christina Foggie missed some games earlier in the season and the Commodores were sorely tried in her absence. She had been leading the SEC in scoring before injuring her right knee in February, however she is still #8 in scoring (13.8 ppg) and #3 in three point field goal percentage (33.2%) and three pointers made a game (2.4). She didn’t have a great game against St. Joe’s game at Gampel and it appears she’s had a struggle for consistency since her injury.

Point guard Jasmine Lister has raised her game as a result of Foggie’s trials. She led in scoring against Georgia and Tennessee so she most likely won’t be rattled by playing another ranked team. Lister makes a higher percentage of her threes than Foggie (37.8%) but she’s not listed among the SEC leaders, probably because she doesn’t average enough attempts a game at 4.7.

Clarke, Foggie and Lister account for about two thirds of Vandy’s scoring (64.8%) and they’ll play the lion’s share of the minutes. Other players that have played a lot of minutes for the Commodores are freshman guard Morgan Batey, senior guard Elan Brown, freshman guard Jasmine Jenkins and freshman forward Heather Bowe. Lately Balcomb has been going only about seven deep with a couple freshman reserves getting a few minutes here and there.

None of those players average more than 6.2 points and most of them are in their very first NCAA tournament. Some looked a bit awed during the St. Joseph’s game yesterday but they found their footing in the second half. If the Huskies come out on fire as they did against Idaho, it may be tough for the younger players to find their grooves. It will most likely be up to the Vandy upperclassmen to challenge the Huskies. There are enough of them in key positions to make it a game for a while, but can they play flat out for 40 minutes, especially against UConn’s defensive pressure?

Vanderbilt has been one of the more consistent teams in the SEC, winning 20+ games for all six years that Balcomb has been head coach. However, the Commodores haven’t gotten beyond the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2009. There have been some injuries, yes, but all teams are banged up, especially at year’s end. For some reason the Commodores just can’t get over the hump to the Sweet 16. This year it’s their misfortune to be playing a loaded UConn team that has a chip on its shoulder. Vanderbilt has score more than 65 points only once since Foggie’s knee injury and I wouldn’t expect them to hit that mark against the Huskies.

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