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Message: [QUOTE="JoePgh, post: 4513101, member: 1131"] Has anyone seen any definite news about whether Jordan Horston will play? If it was just an illness that kept her out of Sunday's game, I think she will make every possible effort to play against UConn at home in her senior year, so I'm assuming that she will play. (And I hope she will.) If she does, then I think Aubrey will guard her, Lou will guard Sara Puckett and keep her 3-point shooting in check, and Aaliyah will guard Rickea Jackson. If that match-up happens (ideally at both ends of the court), WNBA scouts will have their binoculars at the ready, since both players are undoubtedly future WNBA-ers and the matchup will be a test of their individual skills. I think that match-up could easily be the key to the game. My (hypothetical) bet is for Aaliyah to win that match-up. She is a bit taller, quite a bit stronger, and more physical, while Rickea (dare I say it) is more of a finesse player who is quick and can slither between defenders -- more Chiney Ogwumike than Tina Charles (or Nneka, for that matter). Both players have reliable midrange shots, and have to be guarded at the 15-foot distance. But Aaliyah is accustomed to playing tight defense, and Jackson seems to be somewhat lazy about her D. I expect Aaliyah to get a number of deflections, a few steal-and-scores, and shut down Jackson's penetration game. Jackson may get a few more offensive rebounds and putback scores than Aaliyah does. I also think that Aaliyah will play more minutes than Jackson (probably 35 vs. 25 based on past usage patterns), and have a field day when Tennessee's bench players are trying to guard her. If the game is called fairly and consistently and UConn avoids stupid fouls and turnovers (are you listening, Nika?), I can envision UConn winning by 20 even if Horston plays. If she doesn't, then a 30-point win is possible. [/QUOTE]

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