"UConn-Ohio State is the game that will send WCBB popularity through the roof. It will be entertaining beyond measure. A game pitting a great dominant team and program against a prolific scoring team with an incredible backcourt scoring tandem, one of whom might be the most talented player in WCBB this year.
UConn has not have faced an opponent as talented as Kelsey Mitchell since the last time Diana Taurasi attended practice; Incredible ball handling, incredible range, and incredible versatility. Mitchell has all the tools and then some; A superstar with a green light.
This game should be every bit as good as UConn-Tennessee 1995 and UConn-Tennessee 2 in 2000.
UConn has never faced a backcourt duo as lethally prolific as Kelsey Mitchell and Ameryst Alston. Diggins/McBride? McBride/Loyd? Prince/Ajavon? Sampson/Jones? Staley/Cardoza?
Ohio State scores from every position on the floor.
Far too much has been made here about Ohio State's paltry 3 assists against South Carolina. Ohio State's offense, much like Duke of the early 90's, relies on the dribble drive to create opportunities. Plus, they averaged 15 assists per game last year.
The fact that Ohio State put up 80 points on the second best team in the country on the Gamecocks' home floor with a mere 33 percent shooting, 3 assists, and 18 turnovers is mind blowingly scary. Scary because any improvement in these stats pushes the Buckeyes close to the century mark. And Shayla Cooper cannot be expected to go 2-17 ever again this year. She shot close to 50% last year; Which means, she is due.
Can UConn defend Ohio State? That is a question that will surely be answered tonight. I do not believe UConn has enough depth to try to force a slowdown of the pace. If either Nurse or Jefferson get into foul trouble, it will create an even greater Buckeye scoring barrage. Will Coach Auriemma extend the defense to defend the prolific three point shooting? Given his expressed sentiment toward the three, my assumption is that the strategy will be to force Ohio State to shoot inside the arc. UConn has the better team and great coaching. Both aspects will have to be on fine display if UConn is going to emerge victorious. Ohio State's defense will not stop the Huskies from scoring, but it is not bad and there is a ton of effort.
It is totally understandable how some WBB fans do not like up and down, seemingly helter skelter dribbling and shooting. Such basketball within the realm of talented scorers like Pete Maravich, Calvin Murphy, and Austin Carr may not be pleasing to the purists, but for pure basketball entertainment, could not be more fun to witness. Such action is what Mitchell and Alston will be bringing to the floor tonight against UConn. This will be as entertaining a game as WCBB has ever seen. It will erase any and all skepticism about WBB. Great team game planning against great players. A match made in WBB heaven with a lot of scoring. As much as I would love to predict the upset, it will be 91-82 UConn. UConn's experience in big games will be the difference."
Oooooops!!
