UCONN
vs
Oregon State
UCONN
vs
Oregon State
Day: Sunday
Date: April 3rd, 2016
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Time:6:00
Time:6:00
TV: ESPN
UConn Huskies Oregon State Beavers
36-0 32-4
Overview
Prior Meetings
UConn - 1-0
11/25/95 W 88-70 N
Here is some info on that game from an old Hartford Courant archived article.
Here is some info on that game from an old Hartford Courant archived article.
They played in the semifinals of the Wahine Classic in Honolulu Hawaii over Thanksgiving. Freshman Amy Duran provided a spark off the bench and junior center Kara Wolters had 14 of her team-high 21 points in the second half, No. 3 UConn broke open a tight game defeated No. 18 Oregon State, 88-70.
The Huskies trailed by as many as six points early, then gradually took command, led by Duran's 10 first- half points. When Oregon State got to 54-52 with 14 minutes, 40 seconds left, the Huskies went inside to Wolters, who scored nine points in four minutes as UConn took a 76-63 lead.
Jamelle Elliott then had eight consecutive UConn points, two off a touch pass by Nykesha Sales on a 2- on-1 break.
Elliott and Sales each scored 16, Jennifer Rizzotti had 15 and Duran 14. Tanja Kostic led Oregon State with 23 points.
It didn't take long for the officials and emotions to take hold. Elliott, Rizzotti and Wolters were called for fouls in the first 22 seconds, and coach Geno Auriemma was given a technical at that point by referee Pat Tanika for excessive arguing.
``We didn't come all the way out here for this,'' Auriemma yelled.
When all the foul calls were finished, Anette Mollerstrom had made three free throws. Oregon State got possession on the technical, and Mollerstrom hit a jump shot to give the Beavers a 5-0 lead after 48 seconds.
Oregon State led 12-7 on Anjanette Dionne's three-point shot 3:40 in before Wolters and Rizzotti each scored three points. Boky Vidic's layup gave the Beavers a 19-13 lead, but Duran came off the bench to lift the Huskies to their first lead.
After Duran made a jumper, Elliott and Rizzotti each hit two free throws before Sales and Wolters made layups, giving UConn a 23-21 lead. The lead changed four times before Duran hit successive jumpers to put UConn ahead, 32-28.
Oregon State got to 34-33 on Nicole McAllister's three-pointer with 4:46 left in the half, but Sales and Rizzotti made three-pointers and Duran and Kelley Hunt made layups to put UConn ahead, 44-37.
Some great names from the past.
Oregon State Overview
Oregon State has had their best season ever, winning a team record 32 games and getting to their first final four. They also won their first PAC12 tournament. They also won the regular season for the second consecutive season. They went from 1996-2013 without getting an NCAA tournament invitation, so this recent success is something new to the program.
Oregon State has only four loses.
Their first loss was to Tennessee 53-50 and it was at home. They really struggled against the Tennessee defense shooting only 30% from the field and 4-24 on threes. They also had 15 turnovers. They were lucky to score 50. They scored only 18 points in the first half but did mount a furious comeback, outscoring Tennessee 32-18.
Two games later they lost a tough 62-61 at Notre Dame. The fact that they almost won this game without junior point guard Sydney Wiese say something about the Beavers and in retrospect, something about the vulnerability of Notre Dame.
Two more games later they got blow out at UCLA 71-51 this was another game with Sydney Wiese. UCLA pressed hard and it turned into 26 Oregon State turnovers. That also says something about the Beavers. Something they don't want to hear.
Their last loss (for now) was 15 games later against Stanford at Maples 76-54. Stanford was on fire in this game, shooting 57% from both the field and the three point arc. Oregon State shot only 34.4% from the field and 4-20 on threes. That disparity between the two teams shooting percentages give you a 22 point margin that could have been more.
In the NCAA tournament, Oregon State has beaten 15 seed Troy 73-31, 10 seed St. Bonaventure 69-40, 6 seed DePaul 83-71 and 1 seed Baylor 60-57.
Here is a link for the OSU/Baylor game highlights.
News Report of the OSU win over Baylor
Comparative Team Statistic
Leader in Bold
UConn Oregon State
88.4 PPG 67.5
48.2 Defensive PPG 51.2
48.2 Defensive PPG 51.2
40.2 Scoring Margin 16.2
52.9 Field Goal % 44.0
33.1 Defensive FG% 31.7
33.1 Defensive FG% 31.7
37.9 Three Point % 35.6
30.5 Defensive 3PT% 27.4
79.9 Free Throw % 72.830.5 Defensive 3PT% 27.4
40.9 Rebounds/game 44.1
11.2 Rebounding Margin 11.7
21.7 Assists per game 15.8
11.8 Turnover per game 15.3
1.8 Assists/TO ratio 1.0
12.1 Steals per game 5.2
6.4 Blocks per game 6.4
UConn Starters
30 Breanna Stewart
6'4" Senior Forward
6'4" Senior Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 20 minutes, 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist, 0 TO, 8 steals, 3 blocks
NCAA Game 2 - 34 minutes, 21 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assist, 4 TO, 5 blocks
NCAA Game 3 - 25 minutes, 22 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 TO, 5 blocks, 1 steal
NCAA Game 4 - 38 minutes, 21 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assist, 5 TO, 3 blocks, 3 steal
NCAA Game 4 - 38 minutes, 21 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assist, 5 TO, 3 blocks, 3 steal
2015-16 Stats
35 Games - MPG 28.7, FG% .583, 3PT% .418 PPG 19.3 RPG 8.7, APG 4.0, 65 steals, 123 blocks
3 Morgan Tuck
6'2" RS Junior Forward
6'2" RS Junior Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 20 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 35 minutes, 20 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assist, 1 TO, 1 steal, 1 block
NCAA Game 3 - 28 minutes, 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 TO, 3 steals
NCAA Game 4 - 32 minutes, 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assist, 3 TO
NCAA Game 4 - 32 minutes, 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assist, 3 TO
2015-16 Stats
31 Games - MPG 26.3, FG% .512, 3PT% .312, PPG 13.3, RPG 5.8, APG 3.4, 26 steals, 9 blocks
4 Moriah Jefferson
5'7" Senior Guard
5'7" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 23 minutes, 14 points, 0 rebounds, 5 assist, 1 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 34 minutes, 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assist, 0 TO, 3 steals
NCAA Game 3 - 23 minutes, 7 points, 1 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 TO, 4 steals
NCAA Game 4 - 38 minutes, 11 points, 1 rebound, 9 assist, 2 TO, 1 block, 1 steal
2015-16 Stats
35 Games - MPG 30.5, FG% .552, 3PT% .440, PPG 12.6, RPG 2.5, APG 5.5, 93 steals, 7 blocks
11 Kia Nurse
6' Sophomore Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 27 minutes, 14 points, 0 rebounds, 6 assist, 0 TO, 4 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 28 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assist, 1 TO
NCAA Game 3 - 26 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 TO
NCAA Game 4 - 38 minutes, 11 points, 0 rebounds, 2 assists
2015-16 Stats
36 Games - MPG 27.9, FG% .440, 3PT% .358, PPG 9.3, RPG 1.9, APG 2.7, 49 steals, 6 blocks
33 Katie Lou Samuelson
6'3" Freshman Guard/Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 25 minutes, 22 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 22 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 TO
NCAA Game 3 - 28 minutes, 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
NCAA Game 4 - 32 minutes, 9 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 TO, 1 block
2015-16 Stats
36 Games - MPG 23.7, FG% .495, 3PT% .393, PPG 11.1, RPG 3.4, APG 2.2, 37 steals, 6 blocks
UConn Bench
2015-16 Stats
51 Natalie Butler
6'5" RS Sophomore Center
12 Saniya Chong
5'8" Junior Guard
15 Gabby Williams
5'11" Sophomore Forward
5'11" Sophomore Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 22 minutes, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 14 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 TO
NCAA Game 3 - 17 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 TO, 3 steals
NCAA Game 4 - 6 minutes, 3 points, 1 assist
2015-16 Stats
36 Games - MPG 18.6, FG% .641, 3PT% .000, PPG 8.9 RPG 5.6, APG 1.3, 69 steals, 12 blocks
24 Napheesa Collier
6'1 Freshman Forward/Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 21 minutes, 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
NCAA Game 2 - 13 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
NCAA Game 3 - 14 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
NCAA Game 4 - 12 minutes, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
2015-16 Stats
36 Games - MPG 17.3, FG% .532, 3PT% .200, PPG 6.8, RPG 5.3, APG .9, 47 steals, 45 blocks
6'5" RS Sophomore Center
NCAA Game 1 - 2 points, 1 block, 1 TO
NCAA Game 2 - 1 points
NCAA Game 3 - 14 minutes, 6 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks
NCAA Game 4 - 2 minutes
NCAA Game 4 - 2 minutes
2015-16 Stats
25 Games - MPG 12.6, FG% .570, 3PT% .000, PPG 5.9, RPG 4.2, APG .8, 13 steals, 20 blocks
5'8" Junior Guard
NCAA game 1 - 12 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebounds, 4 TO
NCAA Game 2 - 6 minutes, 8 points, 1 steal
NCAA Game 3 - 10 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
NCAA Game 4 - 2 minutes
NCAA Game 4 - 2 minutes
2015-16 Stats
31 Games - MPG 13.0, FG% .424, 3PT% .368, PPG 4.0, RPG 1.4, APG 1.1, 20 steals, 2 blocks
22 Courtney Ekmark
6' Sophomore Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 13 minutes, 1 assists, 2 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 4 minutes
NCAA Game 3 - 9 minutes, 2 points, 1 assist, 1 TO
NCAA Game 4 - DNP
NCAA Game 4 - DNP
2015-16 Stats
31 Games - MPG 9.4, FG% .446, 3PT% .361, PPG 2.1, RPG 1.2, APG .7, 12 steals, 1 block
20 Tierney Lawlor
5'7" Junior Guard
22 Briana Pulido
5'7" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 3 minutes, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 2 - 3 minutes
2015-16 Stats
NCAA Game 3 - 3 minutes
NCAA Game 4 - DNP
NCAA Game 4 - DNP
28 Games - MPG 3.1, FG% .429, 3PT% .400, PPG .3, RPG 0.1, APG 0.2, 1 steals, 0 blocks
5'7" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 3 minutes, 1 rebound
NCAA Game 2 - 3 minutes, 1 rebound
NCAA Game 3 - 3 minutes, 1 point, 1 assist, 1 block
NCAA Game 4 - DNP
NCAA Game 4 - DNP
2015-16 Stats
25 Games - MPG 2.7, FG% .176, 3PT% .100, PPG 0.3, RPG 0.2, APG 0.1, 1 steals, 0 blocks
*******************************************************************
Head Coach Scott Rueck
From the Oregon State team site:
It was a homecoming of sorts for OSU alumnus Scott Rueck, who was named the fifth head coach in the history of the Oregon State women’s basketball program on June 30, 2010.
Rueck has been the architect of an accelerated turnaround of the women’s basketball program at Oregon State, bringing the team onto the national stage in just five years as head coach. The Beavers reached new heights in the 2014-15 season, setting a school record with 27 wins, en route to a Pac-12 Regular Season Title. For his efforts, Rueck was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year by both the media and the coaches, and earned WBCA Region 8 Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. The Beavers’ success on the floor was reflected in the national polls, as OSU was ranked as high as No. 7 in both the AP and USA Today/WBCA Polls during the season, the best rankings in school history, before the team ended the year ranked No. 13.
Oregon State also set a new program-best with a 16-2 conference record, surpassing the mark set in 2013-14. The Beavers went 14-2 at home, extending their home winning streak, which began in 2013-14, to 23 straight games. The historic season led to an increase in attendance, as the Beavers averaged a Pac-12 leading 4,167 fans per game, and welcomed 7,652 fans to Gill Coliseum for the Civil War on Jan. 9, the third-largest crowd in school history.
Oregon State Starters
15 Jamie Weisner 5'10" Senior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 21 minutes, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 2 - 30 minutes, 23 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers
NCAA Game 3 - 36 minutes, 38 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 4 - 40 minutes, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assist, 7 turnovers, 1 block
2015-16: MPG 31.4, FG% .488, 3PT% .450, PPG 17.5, RPG 5.6, APG 2.1, 32 steals, 15 blocks
24 Sydney Wiese 6'1" Junior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 32 minutes, 10 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 3 steals, 1 block
NCAA Game 2 - 33 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 TO, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 33 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 TO, 1 steal
NCAA Game 3 - 40 minutes, 13 points, 1 rebounds, 7 assist, 3 TO, 2 steals
NCAA Game 4 - 40 minutes, 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assist, 6 TO
2015-16: MPG 32.9, FG% .428, 3PT% .367, PPG 12.8, RPG 5.7, APG 5.1, 38 steals, 14 blocks
44 Ruth Hamblin 6'6" Senior Center
NCAA Game 1 - 22 minutes, 18 points, 18 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 turnover, 5 blocks, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 22 minutes, 4 points, 16 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 blocks
NCAA Game 3 - 24 minutes, 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assist, 2 TO, 3 blocks
NCAA Game 4 - 23 minutes, 10 points, 12 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 TO, 1 steal, 4 blocks
2015-16: MPG 27.3, FG% .558, 3PT% .000, PPG 11.8, RPG 10.0, APG .5, 13 steals, 124 blocks
11 Gabriella Hanson 5'11" Junior Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 27 minutes, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assist, 1 turnover, 4 steals
NCAA Game 2 - 31 minutes, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 3 - 36 minutes, 6 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assist, 0 turnovers, 5 steals
NCAA Game 4 - 40 minutes, 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 turnovers
2015-16: MPG 31.1, FG% .331, 3PT% .261, PPG 7.9, RPG 3.6, APG 3.0, 47 steals, 9 blocks
32 Deven Hunter 6'3" Senior Forward
NCAA Game 1 - 17 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 1 block
NCAA Game 2 - 22 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal
NCAA Game 3 - 30 minutes, 9 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers
NCAA Game 4 - 28 minutes, 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal
2015-16: MPG 21.5, FG% .428, 3PT% .364, PPG 6.3, RPG 5.6 APG 1.8, 17 steals, 9 blocks
Oregon State Bench
Oregon State Bench
21 Marie Gülich 6'5" Sophomore Center
NCAA Game 1 - 18 minutes, 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 block
NCAA Game 2 - 20 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block
NCAA Game 3 - 18 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 4 - 20 minutes, 4 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
2015-16: MPG 15.2, FG% .493, 3PT% .000, PPG 4.2, RPG 4.0, APG .7, 10 steals, 22 block
10 Katie McWilliams 6'2" Freshman Guard
NCAA Game 1 - 17 minutes, 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds
NCAA Game 3 - 7 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist
NCAA Game 4 - DNP
2015-16: MPG 20.4, FG% .318, 3PT% .333, PPG 3.0, RPG 2.0, APG 1.6, 9 steals, 11 blocks
5 Samantha Siegner 6'3" Senior Forward
NCAA Game 2 - 10 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks
NCAA Game 2 - 15 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks
NCAA Game 3 - 9 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 block
NCAA Game 4 - 9 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal
2015-16: MPG 13.3, FG% .362, 3PT% .286, PPG 2.1, RPG 2.3, APG .9, 5 steals, 15 blocks
Game Analysis
I like Oregon State. They have a terrific backcourt, a big center that can clog the lane, and nice role players. And they are all experienced as they start 3 seniors and 2 juniors.
Jamie Weisner is the leading scorer for OSU. They had her listed at 5'10" but I doubt she is more than 5'8". We will see when she is matched up with Jefferson. She is quick and has a really quick release on her three point jumper. At 45%, UConn can't afford to leave her open. I noticed a lot of off the ball screening and UConn will have to be careful in that regard. Hopefully the refs are paying attention and will call the moving screen. At least that how it looked to me more than one time. Weisner also loves to drive to the basket and is a tough finisher. She is one tough cookie. Twice against Baylor she put her head and shoulder down and drove the lane to make a shot as the shot clock expired. But she hasn't met the UConn defense and someone like Stewart yet. Jamie is a terrific rebounder at he height averaging over 5 per game. That really stuck out for me.
Sydney Wiese is the Beaver's point guard averaging over 5 assists per game and 6.5 apg in the NCAA tournament. She is also their second leading scorer. She is left handed which always messes up the defense. I would think that Nurse will start out on her, and Kia is giving up a couple of inches to the 6'1" Wiese. She has had 9 turnovers in her last two games, with 6 against Baylor. Nurse will force a few for sure. She shoots a solid 37% on threes and also has a quick release and loves to come off screens and drive to the basket.
The last of the big three is Ruth Hamblin, their 6'6" BIG center. She is strong and can bring the ball out to the foul line and hit jumpers. But she really isn't a scoring center. She doesn't work that hard for position and call for the ball as much as she should. And her post moves are limited. She is big but everything she does is in slow motion. OSU often looks for the lob entry pass to Hamblin, but that won't be easy against UConn. I saw her bodied off the block too many times for someone her size. She is big but not strong. Whoever she is guarding between Stewart and Tuck will run like her into submission. But Hamblin is a presence in the middle and has good shot blocking ability. She does a nice job coming off of her man with help defense. She doesn't get off the ground much but she doesn't have to.
Gabriella Hanson is the third guard in the starting lineup and is a very good defender but not much of an offensive threat. She leads the team in steals and will get her share in this game. Her weak shooting will allow whoever is guarding her to sluff off and help against the other more offensive minded players. I noticed that Hanson spent a lot of time guarding Baylor's quickest guard (Jones) and I wouldn't be surprised to see her on Jefferson and not Weisner.
Their other big on the court to start the game is 6'3" Devon Hunter. Another nice roll player that should help on the boards but can also step out and hit the three. She will need to be watched. She is a big boned women that sets tough screens but there is a lack of foot speed that UConn will exploit.
The Beaver bench is limited and I really think you will only see Marie Gülich, their 6'5" sophomore center from Germany, in the game for extended minutes. She backs up Hamblin. Gülich doesn't offer much on the offensive side of the ball.
On offense, Oregon State likes to run a double stack offense at the foul line where Hamblin/Gülich and Hunter form a wall at the foul line allowing either Weisner or Wiese try to lose their man in that pile of humanity. It's a very effective play for the Beavers. They do a great job of quickly moving the ball to the open player.
As long as there is no foul trouble, Oregon State will play Weisner, Wiese and Hanson play 40 minutes each, Hunter around 30 and Hamblin with 23-25 with Gülich filling in most of the rest.
UConn is coming off what I would call their "B" game against Texas. They seemed a little off. Their passes were a little sloppy even when they didn't turn into a turnover. I'm sure that Geno will have them all review that performance and you can bet they will be on their "Mississippi State" type execution.
Look for the Huskies to pressure often. With OSU playing several players the entire game, UConn will use their speed to tire them out early and then it's game over.
The matchups really favor UConn. Like most opponents, OSU doesn't have anyone to match up with Stewart and Jefferson, but they have no one to cover Tuck.
We all know what UConn does. The only question is if they can execute.
Jamie Weisner is the leading scorer for OSU. They had her listed at 5'10" but I doubt she is more than 5'8". We will see when she is matched up with Jefferson. She is quick and has a really quick release on her three point jumper. At 45%, UConn can't afford to leave her open. I noticed a lot of off the ball screening and UConn will have to be careful in that regard. Hopefully the refs are paying attention and will call the moving screen. At least that how it looked to me more than one time. Weisner also loves to drive to the basket and is a tough finisher. She is one tough cookie. Twice against Baylor she put her head and shoulder down and drove the lane to make a shot as the shot clock expired. But she hasn't met the UConn defense and someone like Stewart yet. Jamie is a terrific rebounder at he height averaging over 5 per game. That really stuck out for me.
Sydney Wiese is the Beaver's point guard averaging over 5 assists per game and 6.5 apg in the NCAA tournament. She is also their second leading scorer. She is left handed which always messes up the defense. I would think that Nurse will start out on her, and Kia is giving up a couple of inches to the 6'1" Wiese. She has had 9 turnovers in her last two games, with 6 against Baylor. Nurse will force a few for sure. She shoots a solid 37% on threes and also has a quick release and loves to come off screens and drive to the basket.
The last of the big three is Ruth Hamblin, their 6'6" BIG center. She is strong and can bring the ball out to the foul line and hit jumpers. But she really isn't a scoring center. She doesn't work that hard for position and call for the ball as much as she should. And her post moves are limited. She is big but everything she does is in slow motion. OSU often looks for the lob entry pass to Hamblin, but that won't be easy against UConn. I saw her bodied off the block too many times for someone her size. She is big but not strong. Whoever she is guarding between Stewart and Tuck will run like her into submission. But Hamblin is a presence in the middle and has good shot blocking ability. She does a nice job coming off of her man with help defense. She doesn't get off the ground much but she doesn't have to.
Gabriella Hanson is the third guard in the starting lineup and is a very good defender but not much of an offensive threat. She leads the team in steals and will get her share in this game. Her weak shooting will allow whoever is guarding her to sluff off and help against the other more offensive minded players. I noticed that Hanson spent a lot of time guarding Baylor's quickest guard (Jones) and I wouldn't be surprised to see her on Jefferson and not Weisner.
Their other big on the court to start the game is 6'3" Devon Hunter. Another nice roll player that should help on the boards but can also step out and hit the three. She will need to be watched. She is a big boned women that sets tough screens but there is a lack of foot speed that UConn will exploit.
The Beaver bench is limited and I really think you will only see Marie Gülich, their 6'5" sophomore center from Germany, in the game for extended minutes. She backs up Hamblin. Gülich doesn't offer much on the offensive side of the ball.
On offense, Oregon State likes to run a double stack offense at the foul line where Hamblin/Gülich and Hunter form a wall at the foul line allowing either Weisner or Wiese try to lose their man in that pile of humanity. It's a very effective play for the Beavers. They do a great job of quickly moving the ball to the open player.
As long as there is no foul trouble, Oregon State will play Weisner, Wiese and Hanson play 40 minutes each, Hunter around 30 and Hamblin with 23-25 with Gülich filling in most of the rest.
UConn is coming off what I would call their "B" game against Texas. They seemed a little off. Their passes were a little sloppy even when they didn't turn into a turnover. I'm sure that Geno will have them all review that performance and you can bet they will be on their "Mississippi State" type execution.
Look for the Huskies to pressure often. With OSU playing several players the entire game, UConn will use their speed to tire them out early and then it's game over.
The matchups really favor UConn. Like most opponents, OSU doesn't have anyone to match up with Stewart and Jefferson, but they have no one to cover Tuck.
We all know what UConn does. The only question is if they can execute.
Final Prediction
I can't see them scoring more than 50 unless they get hot from the outside and then they may break 60. They will struggle with the UConn Seniors and this could be an ugly game.
I'll call it 88-58 in favor of the Huskies. 30+ points. And on to the Championship Game!!!!
Just something else to remember. None of the Final Four teams have been there before other than UConn. Oregon State celebrates getting there. UConn celebrates winning it.
There is a big difference in approach, so don't be surprised if the OSU players and coaches are a little overwhelmed.
On edit - I guess I was wrong about UConn not having a celebration of some kind -
Great stuff, per your usual! Thanks for sharing your research, thoughts & predictions with us, Mark!! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy to do it! Great seeing you at the game!
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