bballnut90
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Who advances to Sunday? We have 2 fantastic matchups ahead.
Match up 1: LSU vs. Virginia Tech
Storylines to watch:
Post battle between Kitley/Reese will be really intriguing. Reese is not as polished but goes hard for every single ball, is extremely long and an absolute animal on the boards. Kitley has better touch and post skills but lacks the same motor Angel has. Both are All Americans. Do they neutralize each other or does 1 get the better of the other?
Both have brilliant playmaking scoring point guards in Alexis Morris and Georgia Amoore. Amoore especially has made some ridiculous shots while Morris is capable of lighting teams up and creating on her own. Amoore is more of a given in that she oozes confidence and you know she's going to take 15-20 shots, though she isn't the most efficient shooter. Morris is a wildcard. When she's assertive she's an elite level scorer and can carry LSU offensively. When she isn't, she has a tendency to completely disappear. She averages 15 ppg but she rarely scores in the 10-15 point range. It's usually 15+ or under 7. If she's aggressive and making shots, I think it give LSU a major edge.
Likely not game relevant but worth noting:
Former teammates and projected as the #1/#2 preseason transfers, Angel Reese and Ashley Owusu will compete against each other this game. Their transfer experiences could not be any more different. Angel has blossomed into a 1st Team All American and NPOY candidate, is known as the "Bayou Barbie," and is an absolute star in Baton Rouge. Ashley Owusu is buried on the bench at VT, seems disconnected form her teammates, and hasn't played in a month despite being healthy. A tale of 2 very different stories that show the extremes of potential transfer portal outcomes.
Kim Mulkey leads her 2nd program to a Final Four, just the third coach in history to do so (CViv String and Gary Blair being the others). Her coaching job and turn around at LSU has been nothing short of remarkable. Her outfits have also been next level. Can't wait to see what eye sorer she brings out for the Final Four. Kenny Brooks is in his first Final Four at Virginia Tech and has also done an incredible job coaching his team this year.
Prediction
I think Virginia Tech takes this. They aren't as athletic as LSU but they run a smoother offense and I could see Reese struggling against Kitley's length and presence inside. LSU has other players capable of stepping up, but I think Virginia Tech is the more complete team and seems primed to win a game like this.
Match up 2: South Carolina vs. Iowa
Storylines to watch:
I think everyone has been salivating for this matchup. Right now tickets on Stubhub are almost $450 a piece for nose bleeds, $800 for lower level seats.
You have 2 teams with drastically different styles of play. The best offensive team in the nation vs. the best defensive team. Iowa is guard dominant and thrives on great passing, ball movement and lights out shooting. South Carolina is front court dominant and thrives on post play, rebounding, and tough physical defense.
Caitlin Clark of Iowa is the likely National Player of the Year, while last year's was South Carolina's Aliyah Boston. Both years it has been hotly debated about who deserves to win. Both have been brilliant, yet they are completely different players with drastically different strengths they bring to the table. This debate has created some animosity among fan bases, and I think both sides are craving to watch this matchup to get bragging rights for why their player is better and deserves it more. Ironically, I don't think Clark/Boston really care much about individual awards.
In terms of in game matchups. Czinano vs. Boston is going to be an important one for Iowa. They have to get some production out of their other star player, but going up against Boston and SC's bigs will be a task she hasn't faced all year (or her entire career). She is shorter and lacks the length and athleticism that SC's bigs possess. If she can 5-6 buckets and stay active on the glass, it'll be a big boost for the Hawkeyes.
Who guards Clark? Logic says Beal but I'm guessing Dawn throws several different players at her. Beal is an excellent defender but I wasn't impressed by her defense on Miller/Meyers tonight. If she has trouble stopping Clark off the bounce, they can try Cooke who is an excellent defender, but Clark can likely shoot over Cooke with her height difference. Their ability to slowdown Clark is paramount to their success. I'm sure Dawn will craft up a solid game plan for this, and I'm guessing several different looks will be thrown at Caitlin.
Prediction:
If Iowa can hit shots and Clark can find ways to create vs SC's defense, they have a shot. Realistically though, I think South Carolina is just too big and dominant inside for Iowa to pull this out. Tonight Maryland executed a solid game plan and shot 50% from the field, yet the game never felt in question largely due to SC's dominance on the boards (+22). I don't see Iowa having a viable solution for keeping Cardoso/Boston off the glass and I think that ultimately will be the difference. Logic says South Carolina, heart says Iowa. Should be a great game.
Match up 1: LSU vs. Virginia Tech
Storylines to watch:
Post battle between Kitley/Reese will be really intriguing. Reese is not as polished but goes hard for every single ball, is extremely long and an absolute animal on the boards. Kitley has better touch and post skills but lacks the same motor Angel has. Both are All Americans. Do they neutralize each other or does 1 get the better of the other?
Both have brilliant playmaking scoring point guards in Alexis Morris and Georgia Amoore. Amoore especially has made some ridiculous shots while Morris is capable of lighting teams up and creating on her own. Amoore is more of a given in that she oozes confidence and you know she's going to take 15-20 shots, though she isn't the most efficient shooter. Morris is a wildcard. When she's assertive she's an elite level scorer and can carry LSU offensively. When she isn't, she has a tendency to completely disappear. She averages 15 ppg but she rarely scores in the 10-15 point range. It's usually 15+ or under 7. If she's aggressive and making shots, I think it give LSU a major edge.
Likely not game relevant but worth noting:
Former teammates and projected as the #1/#2 preseason transfers, Angel Reese and Ashley Owusu will compete against each other this game. Their transfer experiences could not be any more different. Angel has blossomed into a 1st Team All American and NPOY candidate, is known as the "Bayou Barbie," and is an absolute star in Baton Rouge. Ashley Owusu is buried on the bench at VT, seems disconnected form her teammates, and hasn't played in a month despite being healthy. A tale of 2 very different stories that show the extremes of potential transfer portal outcomes.
Kim Mulkey leads her 2nd program to a Final Four, just the third coach in history to do so (CViv String and Gary Blair being the others). Her coaching job and turn around at LSU has been nothing short of remarkable. Her outfits have also been next level. Can't wait to see what eye sorer she brings out for the Final Four. Kenny Brooks is in his first Final Four at Virginia Tech and has also done an incredible job coaching his team this year.
Prediction
I think Virginia Tech takes this. They aren't as athletic as LSU but they run a smoother offense and I could see Reese struggling against Kitley's length and presence inside. LSU has other players capable of stepping up, but I think Virginia Tech is the more complete team and seems primed to win a game like this.
Match up 2: South Carolina vs. Iowa
Storylines to watch:
I think everyone has been salivating for this matchup. Right now tickets on Stubhub are almost $450 a piece for nose bleeds, $800 for lower level seats.
You have 2 teams with drastically different styles of play. The best offensive team in the nation vs. the best defensive team. Iowa is guard dominant and thrives on great passing, ball movement and lights out shooting. South Carolina is front court dominant and thrives on post play, rebounding, and tough physical defense.
Caitlin Clark of Iowa is the likely National Player of the Year, while last year's was South Carolina's Aliyah Boston. Both years it has been hotly debated about who deserves to win. Both have been brilliant, yet they are completely different players with drastically different strengths they bring to the table. This debate has created some animosity among fan bases, and I think both sides are craving to watch this matchup to get bragging rights for why their player is better and deserves it more. Ironically, I don't think Clark/Boston really care much about individual awards.
In terms of in game matchups. Czinano vs. Boston is going to be an important one for Iowa. They have to get some production out of their other star player, but going up against Boston and SC's bigs will be a task she hasn't faced all year (or her entire career). She is shorter and lacks the length and athleticism that SC's bigs possess. If she can 5-6 buckets and stay active on the glass, it'll be a big boost for the Hawkeyes.
Who guards Clark? Logic says Beal but I'm guessing Dawn throws several different players at her. Beal is an excellent defender but I wasn't impressed by her defense on Miller/Meyers tonight. If she has trouble stopping Clark off the bounce, they can try Cooke who is an excellent defender, but Clark can likely shoot over Cooke with her height difference. Their ability to slowdown Clark is paramount to their success. I'm sure Dawn will craft up a solid game plan for this, and I'm guessing several different looks will be thrown at Caitlin.
Prediction:
If Iowa can hit shots and Clark can find ways to create vs SC's defense, they have a shot. Realistically though, I think South Carolina is just too big and dominant inside for Iowa to pull this out. Tonight Maryland executed a solid game plan and shot 50% from the field, yet the game never felt in question largely due to SC's dominance on the boards (+22). I don't see Iowa having a viable solution for keeping Cardoso/Boston off the glass and I think that ultimately will be the difference. Logic says South Carolina, heart says Iowa. Should be a great game.
