I'm getting revved up for tonight's big game at the Stott against arch-rival EWU. The Vikings dropped the first game on Jan. 8, 70-62, holding us to just 29 percent shooting from the field. EWU is a tough team to match up against because they have four starters who average in double figures in scoring. Their point guard, Cooper is averaging 6.2 assists per game, which ranks 11th in Division I women's basketball. Their two guard, Ryan (in conference only statistics), leads the league in scoring at 21.2 ppg, which is almost two more than any other player in the league. She is also coming off a 33 point performance against Sac. State in her last outing. Eastern is also the best offensive rebounding team in the league with 16.4 offensive boards per game.
So, we have our work cut out for us. I think the key will be for us to battle on the boards and not let them out-rebound us and get a lot of second chance possessions on offense. We did a pretty good job of that up there in Cheney and it kept the score close. We just didn't shoot very well. I'm thinking that the friendly nets at Stott will be to our favor. I like our backcourt matchups of Jones and Van Brocklin against their guards. I think it will be important to try and deny their posts the ball as much as possible in the half court set. Once again, I think opportunistically switching into a zone defense to keep the ball out of the paint might be a good strategy.
GO VIKS!
So, we have our work cut out for us. I think the key will be for us to battle on the boards and not let them out-rebound us and get a lot of second chance possessions on offense. We did a pretty good job of that up there in Cheney and it kept the score close. We just didn't shoot very well. I'm thinking that the friendly nets at Stott will be to our favor. I like our backcourt matchups of Jones and Van Brocklin against their guards. I think it will be important to try and deny their posts the ball as much as possible in the half court set. Once again, I think opportunistically switching into a zone defense to keep the ball out of the paint might be a good strategy.
GO VIKS!
