Game 9: UCSB

After nearly two weeks away from home, the Terps are back in action against the University of California at Santa Barbara or UCSB for short. This is the first of two home games before another road trip. The win streak is up to 14 now and here's hoping it continues.

UCSB is out of the Big West conference and had made the NCAA tournament nine years in a row before losing by 1 in the conference tournament. They then lost in the first round of the WNIT to Fresno State. UCSB enters with a record of 1-4 and losers of four straight. They have played a tough schedule as the win came against Portland State and the losses have come to UCLA, Oregon, Louisville and NC State. They have been in most of these games, so it's not like they are a pushover opponent.

As a team they are averaging 69.6 ppg and shooting 40.8% from the field. From their stats it looks like they shoot well from the three-point line. They seem to have a smaller bench than us as six players are averaging 20 minutes or more and the other four that play are all under 10 minutes.

Their star player is 5-10 guard Jessica Wilson, who is averaging 18.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg. She is shooting 40% from the field and 38.5% from behind the arc (she's only taken 13 three-pointers) and 80% from the free throw line. She leads the team in steals and assists, but tends to get in foul trouble as evidenced by her 18 fouls in 5 games. Their leading rebounder is 6-4 center Jenna Green with 8.8 per game. She shoots about 58% from the floor (I am guessing lay ups mostly) and is only averaging 1 block a game (odd for a 6-4 post player). LaShay Fears and Jordan Franey are their 3-point threats as nearly half their FG makes this year have been from behind the arc. They are 5-7 and 6-0, respectively. Whitney Warren, a 5-8 guard, is second on the team in rebounding with 6.3. They have a 6-3 frosh center who comes off the bench, while their other 6-4 player is out for the season rehabbing an injury from last year.

Keys to the Game

More energy than on Wednesday. Maybe the travel got to the girls, but I don't expect to see another sleepwalking effort.

Take care of the ball. We haven't had a game with fewer than 10 turnovers this year. Stop forcing it so much.

Continue to get better from behind the three-point line.

Get their post in foul trouble. To go from a girl who plays most of the time to a freshman will really open the lane.

Lock down on Wilson. She's their best player and needs to be contained.