Game #18 @ Virginia

Four days after our win over FSU, we hit the road to the Commonwealth State for two critical games in the ACC Slate. Tonight the trip begins in Charlottesville, Va. taking on the Cavaliers, who beat Virginia Tech on Monday night for their first ACC victory. The Cavs (or Hoos or whatever other nickname they have) are 12-3 on the season and our only like opponents are Florida State, which they lost to by 14 on the road. We haven't faired to well at Reynolds Col. having only won 4 times in the building.

Virginia is led by Seidah Williams who is averaging 11.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg. She's a 6'2 center who is lanky like Black, but not as effective. Tiffany Sardin is next on the team in scoring with 10.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Their leading rebounder is Lyndra Littles, a 6'1 freshman, with 8.3 rpg. The star of the team is Sharnee Zoll, who played with Coleman and Langhorne on the U-19 team. She's great at finding the open spot in the lane and creating offense. Her main weakness is that she is not a great shooter. I have seen Virginia play a few times and they rely on their defense a ton. They are holding opponents to .383 FG% and 25% from behind the arc. Their offense is very methodical as Zoll looks to drive the lane and dish it out to Granberry and McGuire (their 3-pt shooters) or dump it off inside on the double team. Virginia is also a poor free throw shooting team.

Virginia Roster | Virginia Stats

Keys to the Game

Limit Zoll's touches. She's not as good as Harding, but our guards tend to have trouble covering quicker players. Hopefully Newman draws this assignment.

Don't help on the drives. Virginia wants you to do this so that McGuire is left open. McGuire can hit the open 3, but she struggles with people in her face.

Use our height advantage. Harper, Perry and Langhorne should be able to control the glass like they did against FSU.

Get the outside game going. Against NC State, UVA was so worried about Stansbury, Goring and Washington that they left McDowell and Ashley Key open, resulting in them getting burned. We need to see the old Marissa back.

Shay needs to break out, but not try and do it all. I know the last three games have been frustrating for her, but she can't go into Shay commando mode where she tries to do it all. Just play your game.

Run the break and don't let Virginia set up their defense.

Maryland Game Notes | Virginia Game Notes

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