Game 36: Vanderbilt (Sweet 16)

Now that we have gotten over the hump it's time to make it to Tampa. Before I get to the the preview here are some things to read to kill time before our game at 9.

The Examiner writes about the senior class

The Burlington County Times talks about Crystal getting another week with her teammates

Milton Kent writes about Marissa Coleman

Mike Wise writes about Under the Shell

The Philly Inquirer remarks about how Harper and Langhorne spruned the traditional powers

The Diamondback's Greg Schimmel writes a wonderful article about Crystal

Kristi and Crystal were named finalists for the State Farm Wade Trophy

Graham wrote about my favorite turncoat

Mechelle Voepel previews the game

Now onto the preview.

I seriously hope the tightness we saw on Sunday and Tuesday was due to stress over not losing. From now on, we need to play to win not to not lose. I am sure most of you know what that means, but for those that don't it means we step on the gas and keep going until the game and don't let up for a second. We are the best team in the country and it's time to prove it.

Vanderbilt is 25-8 and 4-1 on neutral courts. Among the common opponents: Clemson (W, 74-56), Duke (W, 68-55), Princeton (W, 81-48), LSU (L, 51-62). They have only lost four games since Jan. 1, 2008. Problem is those losses have come to Tennessee three times and LSU once.

The Commodores average 71.2 points per game, but only allow 55.9 points per game. They have given up more than 60 four times, all to UT and LSU. Tennessee is the only team to break 70 on them since Jan. 1. Hence they are a defensive team. They only outrebound opponents by 3.7 per game. VU shoots .468 from the floor and .387 from three. They force 20.4 turnovers a game and get 10 steals. Opponents only shoot .363 percent from the floor and .292 from 3.

Vanderbilt is led by 6'1 guard/forward Christina Wirth. She can do it all, she's Kristi and Marissa combined as she shoots a ton of 3s (and makes them), rebounds, gets steals and distributes the ball. She averages 13.1 points per game and 4.9 rebounds. Next on the team in scoring is Liz Sherwood, a 6'4 center who comes off the bench. She averages 11.0 points per game and shoots 62 percent. She only averages 4.4 rebounds per game and leads the team with 39 blocks. From the little bit I saw it seems like she likes to go over her left shoulder in the post. Jennifer Risper is a 5'9 guard, who likes to take people off the dribble instead of shooting the three. She is a distributor and the team's leading rebounder and stealer. Meredith Marsh is another three-point shooter on the team. She's not that much of a rebounder. Jessica Mooney is a slashing guard, who will occasionally take a 3. While she doesn't rebound the ball, she does block shots and get steals. Hannah Tuomi is a post player, but doesn't see as many touches as Sherwood. She shoots 50% and is foul prone. Lauren Lueders is another three-point shooter and very rarely drives the lane. She is like Marah. Jence Rhoads is the starting point guard and is more likely to drive to the bucket than shoot the 3 as she has taken only 13 long-range shots all year. Amber Norton is a post player off the bench. She has taken only 80 shots all year and grabbed 38 rebounds.

Keys on offense

Attacking the post and getting Sherwood and their post players in foul trouble.

Getting Harper and Marah involved in the offense. If they are clicking, no one is stopping us.

Marissa playing hard and doing what she does best.

Toliver playing smart and not forcing the offense.

Taking care of the ball, by not telegraphing passes.

Rebounding the ball.

Keys on Defense

Limiting Wirth's touches, Marissa will have to lock her down and not let her get good looks.

Rebounding the ball. VU doesn't do that well and we must keep the off the glass.

Control Sherwood, either by fronting or forcing her away from the basket.

Hands up and preventing VU from having open looks from 3.

stopping penetration by Mooney and other guards.

Going under on screens.

Vandy will try to slow things down on O and try to milk the clock. We need to speed up the tempo. Chances are they will press like everyone else so we must be quick and smart with decisions. Also if we force the action on Vandy they will make dumb passes.

I am guessing we play zone or a gimmick defense, given the four-guard line up by Vandy.

I don't envision us losing, but then again, I never do.