Game 34: Coppin State (NCAA First Round)

For the first time in nearly two weeks, the Maryland Terrapins take to the floor and this time it’s put up or shut up time. A loss and we never see Crystal, Laura, Jade, Ashleigh or Christie in a Terps uniform again. Six more wins and we are national champions for the second time in three years. Luckily for us, the first two rounds go through Comcast where we are 19-0 this year.

The run to the National Championship begins tomorrow at 2:30 against local-foe Coppin State.

Coppin State is 22-11 on the season and won the MEAC. The only common opponent they played all year was North Carolina and they lost 92-63. The Eagles have won 17 of their last 19 games all agains the MEAC.

Coppin averages 67.6 points per game, while allowing 71.0. They haven’t given up more than 70 in nearly three months and have only scored more than 80 four times all year. The Eagles are outrebounded 44.2 to 40.7. The shoot 43.6 from the field and 30.8 percent from behind the arc. CSU has made 85 threes all year, while Kristi has made 73. Coppin holds opponents to 35.7 percent from the floor and 26.2 percent from three. They turn the ball over 18.5 times per game and average 9.1 steals.

They are led by 5’8 senior guard Rashida Suber, who is averaging 17.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. She leads the team in steals at 101 and shoots 27.3 percent from three. She is their main three-point shooter as she has taken 176 and the next person on the team has taken 51. Next on the team in scoring is 5’6 guard Shalamar Oakley, who averages 17.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. She is the team’s main ball handler and leads the team with 133 assists. She is second on the team in steals. Danielle Anders is a 5’11 swing forward and averages 11.5 points and is second on the team in rebounding at 5.7 per game. She’s taken three 3s all year and blocked 21 shots. Anders has hit 64 of 74 free throws. Whitney Cunningham is a 6’3 center averaging 10 points a game and 8 rebounds. She shoots 59.1% from the floor and 66.1% from the line. She is the team’s leading shot blocker. The last starter is 6’0 power forward Jennifer Martin. Like Oakley she is foul prone and only averages 6.4 points per game but grabs 7.7 rebounds. Martin shoots 40.9% from the floor, only blocked 10 shots and has 30 steals. Their two main bench players are 5’6 point guard Sesalie Johnson and 5’11 shooting guard Chanelle Downing. Neither scores more than 3.5 ppg.

I saw Coppin play once and it’s a guard-oriented offense where they basically pass the ball around the perimeter trying to create shots for their guards. They will press and try to create transition opportunities.

This should be a game we win handily as long as we play our game. We need to stop dribble penetration and force the ball down low for easy buckets. Also, run the ball as I doubt Coppin can keep up with our speed. I will be disappointed if we give up more than 55. Lastly, I don’t want us settling for long jumpers, I would much rather we attack and get to the free throw line.