Back on the road, for the second time in a week. This time we head to Georgia Tech for the first time in two years. We have beaten them four times in a row, including last season's ACC Tournament, where they put a scare into us for a while. 3 of those 4 games have been decided by less than 10 points. I am hoping the team rebounds from the loss like they did against Virginia. I also want to see two solid halves off basketball.
Game is on ACC Select and WMUC.
Georgia Tech
Record: 13-8, 4-3 (ACC), 8-3 (Home)
Common Opponents: Temple (L, 76-62); North Carolina (L, 69-57 and 78-31); Clemson (W, 63-57); Duke (L, 83-51); Miami (W, 52-37); Wake Forest (W, 58-45)
Most points allowed: 83
Fewest points scored: 31
Team Information - Stats
Averaging 66.5 ppg and allowing 58.4 ppg
Opponents shoot 39.3% from the floor and 28.2% from 3.
Outrebounding opponents by 7.
They turn the ball over 18 times per game, but also generate 11.9 steals per game.
They get their shots blocked more than they block shots.
They play a unique zone defense, which is the key to their team, it's like a 1-3-1.
Everyone helps out rebouding the basketball.
Players to Watch - Roster
Stephanie Higgs. 1/3 of their scoring trio. She is the penetrator of the group. She will try to break people down off the dribble and then take it to the bucket. She will shoot the 3, but much prefers to drive. She has taken 117 free throws, the most on the team. Will get in foul trouble because of her aggressive defense. 11 blocked shots (most on the team).
Janie Mitchell. 6'0 forward who sees a bulk of the action in the paint. Shooting under 50%. Has taken 12 threes. Will turn the ball over.
Chioma Nnamaka. The shooter of the trio. Has taken 148 threes, making 53 of them. Very rarely attacks the bucket with only 27 FTs. Will help rebound. Turnover prone and foul prone. Cannot let her heat up or she will keep shooting.
Jacqua Williams. Fourth leading scorer. Leads the team in steals meaning she applies the pressure on the trap. Prefers to shoot inside the arc, but not go to the hoop.
Brigitte Ardossi. 6'2 forward. Has taken only 56 shots, so she doesn't factor much into the offense. She is the fifth starter.
Kentrina Wilson/Daphne Mitchell. Post players that come off the bench. Wilson takes more shots and will shot the three. Also will get in the passing lanes.
Jill Ingram. Backup PG. Won't look to score. Only player to have more assists than turnovers.
Keys to the Game
Defense. Higgs and Nnamaka are going to look to score all night and our guards must not allow Nnamaka to have open looks nor allow Higgs to easily penetrate the lane. Mitchell can be shut down in the paint.
Attack the pressure. They will trap and it's not any better than Duke or UNC's so we should be able to handle it. Dribble into it and attack the paint.
Shooting confidently. Not every shot will go in (if it does it's a record), so don't pout and just get ready to make the next one.
Give the ball to Lang. Enough of the outside shooting. Give the ball to the team's best player and let her do what she does best.
Play a complete game. It's time to outscore someone in the second half again. Let Carolina and Duke know you are ticked off at the losses.
Play a smart game. No need to rush the ball up court just to do it. Value the basketball.
Harper. She must start playing like a legitimate post player again. Enough of the fumbling the ball and missed lay ups.
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