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Message: [QUOTE="Carnac, post: 2934763, member: 5798"] I'm counting on 4 things in this game, [B]1.[/B] [B]Arike staying true to form and taking a lot of shots, missing most of them, [/B]providing UConn with lots of defensive rebound (possessions) opportunities (and cashing them in). [B]2. [/B]ND [B]is not[/B] a prolific 3 point shooting team. They are a horrid 11-46 (23%) to date. This fact alone will help. Ogunbowale is their main 3 point shooter. She's only shooting 8/29 behind the arc (27.6%). [B]3. I'm hoping ND will come out "tight" to begin the game. [/B]Because of this being the biggest game on their schedule, and the importance of this game, and it's UConn on the other end of the court, knowing this is the best team they will play all year. They know that UConn can take their mistakes and turn them into points more than any other team they’ll play. [B]4.[/B] [B]UConn will play their best defensive game to date.[/B] I know Geno will be stressing defense in every practice leading up to this game. UConn's defense is usually better than most other team's. I realize it's not what it was during the "Breanna Stewart era", but it's still pretty good, and getting better. Ogunbowale is their leading scorer. If UConn can slow her down and keep her under 15 points, that will help. They've also got to keep Turner and Shepard in check, and minimize giving them easy uncontested buckets (put backs) under the basket. If Arkie goes off, or any of our players get in early foul trouble, and one of them has to sit more than 12 minutes during the 1st half, we're screwed. Pennsylvania held them to 77 points. I think UConn's defense is better than theirs. [URL='http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401026259']UConn was up at the half last time 41-34[/URL], but couldn't hold the lead. UConn's players were tired (Lou was gassed, she played the entire game and Crystal was hurting - shin splints) and in foul trouble last time, which opened the door for ND's 91 points. The Irish were like sharks that smelled blood, they kept attacking UConn. I'm hoping fatigue won't be a factor this time, as I look for Geno to use his bench very sparingly. Camara will probably not be available for this game due to her recent injury. ND was relentless last time, knowing UConn was in foul trouble and couldn't really challenge them in the paint. [B]Gabby, Lou & Kia had 4 fouls,[/B] and basically had to put their hands in their pockets. Stevens had 2, but was on the bench the majority of the second half, :confused: and was the only reserve to get in the game (28 mins). ND kept it close until the end where a shot at the buzzer made the difference. I don't think this will be a high scoring game. I think BOTH teams will be tight at the tip (sold out arena/nationally televised game) trying to feel each other out. Let's hope the referees let them play without blowing any "ticky-tack" fouls. This game will mean more if played in March, but neither team wants to lose this game. There's a better than even chance they'll see each other again and the next meeting will have much more importance. [B]Post script edit:[/B] My wishs came true. Ogunbowale took 18 shots and missed 12 of them, and went 0-6 form beyond the arc for only 17 points. I was correct about them being a horrible 3 pt shooting team. They were 1-12. :D They were "tight" in the 4th qtr, they only scored 12 points. :D UConn played a very good defensive game given the fact they were playing the best team they will play this year. [/QUOTE]

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