Game #35 vs. Baylor (Sweet 16)

What a great morning it's been! Not one, but two negative articles about the team today despite it's first Sweet 16 appearance in over a decade. Let's not focus on all our young talent, let's tell people Maryland cheated to get it. When are people going to get over it and just face it. Brenda knows how to recruit and gets the good players. Sorry if not everyone wants to go play for the witch in Knoxville or the Italian in Storrs, some ladies these days actually want to play and not ride the bench.

Now on to the matter at hand knocking off the Baylor Bears. Baylor is 26-6 and the defending national champions. They look to speed up tempo and beat you with their length and defense. We have no common opponents so there is no basis for comparison. I don't think they are as fast as UNC and they don't have a bulky player like Larkins.

They match up with us height-wise. Jessicia Morrow is their tallest player who sees a good amount of playing time, next is Sophia Young, their All-American. Their starting guard is 5-5. Baylor Roster

Baylor scores 75.2 points per game, but only gives up 60.7. They shoot 44% from the floor, but only 33% from 3. They also limit opponents ot 37% shooting and 31% from 3. They outrebound opponents by 5 and have very active hands with 352 steals and 157 blocks.

Sophia Young is hands down their best player. She averages 22.2 ppg and 10 rpg. She has 70 steals and 31 blocks. She's stay in the paint, but can take it to the whole and can jump. Her partner in the post is Abiola Wabara, who recently told Baylor this was her last year (and hopefully last game). She blocks shots and rebounds, but it also foul prone. Chemeka Scott is a quick guard. She's not afraid to shoot the 3 (32%), but also helps rebound. Tisdale runs the point and is nearly 2 to 1 in assist to turnover ratio. Jordan Davis comes off the bench and is a three-point specialist.

Keys to the Game

Either shut down Young or don't let the other plays beat you. Some teams would let the star player get her 30 points and just make sure no one else steps up. I don't mind that strategy as long as the whole teams understands the plan. I would attack Young defensively and get her in foul trouble. With her out of the game we can dominate the post like we did against SJU and Sacred Hear.

Attack the glass. Courtney Paris had a field day against Baylor this year. She's a wide gal and was able to control the paint against the skinnier Baylor girls. Jade isn't as big as Paris, but she should the same impact. We also need to keep Young off the boards.

Guard the three-point line. Baylor isn't the greatest shooting team so we can't let them get going by leaving them open on the perimeter.

Slow Baylor down. Don't them get their transition game going. The altitude will be a factor and we don't want to be worn down.

Shay and Kristi need to forget about last week. Shay needs to let the game come to her and not feel like she has to do it all. Kristi needs to regain her shooting touch and put last week in the past.

Coleman must become a third option. She hasn't been scoring like she was, but we didn't need it in the first two rounds. We need it today.

Play loose and have fun.

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Game Notes
Maryland | Baylor