2019 WNIT Tournament Central

[Plebe]

JMU-N'western underway, live stream here:

James Madison - Portal

 

[Plebe]

James Madison's 31-game home-court winning streak comes to an end.



The WNIT final could be the battle of the Wildcats, if Arizona manages to beat TCU tonight.

 

[Plebe]

Entertaining game so far in Tucson. Live stream: Arizona Live Stream

TCU's length made things really hard at first for Arizona's offense. But the Wildcats seemed to adjust well and took the lead midway through 1Q. Low-scoring affair so far, 12-9 Arizona.

 

[Plebe]

It just struck me while watching this game that both teams are have significant transfers:

Arizona:
McDonald (Washington)
McBryde (Purdue)
Starks (Iowa State)

TCU:
Okonkwo (USC)
Woods (Oregon)

 

[Plebe]

After the last game, where about 7700 showed up, Aari McDonald challenged the fans to hit 10,000 this game. And they did it, setting an attendance record in the process:

 

[Plebe]

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I would really like to see Adia Barnes and the Arizona Wildcats take this one.

 

[nwhoopfan]

After the last game, where about 7700 showed up, Aari McDonald challenged the fans to hit 10,000 this game. And they did it, setting an attendance record in the process:

That's fantastic!

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Woo-hoo. We did our part and bought our tix, although our friends got to use them as we are in Vegas. Will treat our friends again for the final.

Adia is a great, young upcoming coach. And the UA athletic department "gets it" - this is all fodder for an improvement in attendance in the future. It is a win - win - win. Gets the program talked about, gets recognition in the local paper and even the casual U of A fan on the street (and there is a lot of them) gets to hear about it. And recruits get to see it. And even if the net affect is 500 more season tickets (which are (or have been quite cheap, WFIW) it is just building the program.

And yes, battle of the Wildcats - but Northwestern doesn't have Wilma. I wouldn't be shocked if Wilbur shows up for this one as well, but maybe not. And Joe McKeown on of Northwestern is an old favorite from Rutgers days (when he was at George Washington). Used to call him "Jumping Joe" although his jumping days are behind him. Have met him, he's an odd bird, but a good coach. Then again, aren't they all (odd birds).

 

[nwhoopfan]

Rumor is Arizona is on the verge of selling out the McKale Center for the final (14,000+). That would be pretty awesome.

 

[eebmg]

Game is on CBSSN at 3PM.

 

[Plebe]

Wow, it's a sellout in Tucson. That's pretty amazing.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Wow, it's a sellout in Tucson. That's pretty amazing.

Absolutely. This WNIT run has been the best possible thing that could happen to Arizona. Coach Barnes is winning over the local fanbase big time. They bring back almost everybody next season. I imagine interest and excitement for women's hoops will be sky high for UA next season.

Decent game so far. Defensive battle. Arizona is smothering Northwestern but NU playing some tough D as well. 27-17 UA under 4 minutes til halftime.

 

[eebmg]

Even over the TV, the crowd is incredible. Very impressed.

 

[Plebe]

Northwestern's defense has been quite good, but Arizona's has been stellar. The western Wildcats are up 30-17 at the half.

 

[triaddukefan]

Go Wildcats

 

[nwhoopfan]

Northwestern trying to rally. They've been down as much as 18 or 19, have cut to 13.

A lot more whistles in Q3.

 

[nwhoopfan]

49-33 Arizona thru Q3. McDonald leading the way w/ 19. I've been impressed w/ Pulliam from Northwestern. She's had a tough shooting night but she's got talent.

 

[Plebe]

McDonald has been credited with 5 steals but I swear she's had at least that number of additional deflections. Her feet and her hands are lightning quick. She is Moriah-like.

 

[Plebe]

49-33 Arizona thru Q3. McDonald leading the way w/ 19. I've been impressed w/ Pulliam from Northwestern. She's had a tough shooting night but she's got talent.

Pulliam was First Team All-Big Ten for a reason. She's a baller. Just a sophomore as well.

 

[nwhoopfan]

With all the fouls that have been called in the 2nd half, for some reason Cate Reese keeps getting mauled w/out drawing a whistle. That last one especially was ridiculous.

 

[Plebe]

 

[nwhoopfan]

56-38 heading into the final media TO.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I think McDonald needs to concentrate on 3 point shooting in the off season. Only .284 on the year, that's pretty bad. If she adds a reliable 3 to her game, she's pretty much unguardable. She was a bit better (33%) during her Fr. year at UW.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Curtain call for McDonald. End of the game has been ugly. Missed shots, TOs, loose ball scrums.