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Message: [QUOTE="Zarathustra, post: 5043371, member: 11285"] Being a pragmatist/realist, I am looking at the game after Ireland plays Croatia: I predict a rematch with Ukraine (I predict Ukraine losing to Great Britain in the next game on Saturday). Ireland beat Ukraine 69 - 56 recently but Ukraine had a better FG % 35.7 % to 31.9 for the IRISH. The " difference maker" was rebounding: Irish 49 to 41 with11 more for the Irish on the offensive boards. Ireland also won the assist battle: 21 to 16 and the steals: 11 to 6, and (surprisingly The Irish had fewer turnovers 16, 23 for Ukraine. Ukraine committed 28 fouls to Ireland's 20. Ireland also won the points off turnovers: 25 to 3 and the second chance points 14 to 4. Despite the poorer FG % with the extra rebounding the IRISH were able to get off 69 shots to Ukraine's 56. This will still be a problem game IMHO. In many ways this was Ireland's best team effort (but not Gandy's best game: 4 points and 5 rebounds, 3 offensive). Sara Hickey # 6 had 22 points to lead the way for the IRISH. I did not realize it at the time but perhaps with GANDY being doubled and tripled teamed, this allowed Ms. Hickey to shine. However, I do not expect SARA HICKEY to repeat her 22 points, so for the IRISH to Win and claim 7th place in the tournament, GANDY has to have a solid game. How will the IRISH H.C. use her? How will the IRISH respond to the added pressure? This could be a BARNBURNER or a straightforward win by either side (again my opinion). GO IRISH, GO GANDY, GO UCONN. Nika probably knows quite a few players on the Croatian team. Nika Rodek is # 8 and is the primary PG for the Croatian with 6.6 assists per game. Nika is 5' 11". [/QUOTE]

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