Stockton Region Round of 64 Game Breakdowns
#1 South Carolina vs. #16 UNC Asheville
South Carolina should be a heavy favorite heading into this first round game with UNC-Asheville. It will be important for the Gamecocks to start fast and put them game away early. The duo of Allisha Gray and Kaela Davis are going to need to compliment A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates in order for South Carolina to dominate this contest. Chatori Major is going to have to score at least 25 points for the Bulldogs to stay in the game against the Gamecocks.
#8 Arizona State vs. #9 Michigan State
Sophie Brunner is going to have to get going offensively in order for Arizona State to give them a chance to win. The Sun Devils can lock teams down defensively but their problem at times has been wearing down late in games. Michigan State comes into this game with the Sun Devils with a chip on its shoulder as a 9 seed. Tori Jannoska is averaging 22.5 points per game for the Spartans and it will be fascinating to see if Michigan State attempts to push the tempo like they did in the Maryland game in order to keep the pressure on Arizona State.
#5 Marquette vs. #12 Quinnipiac
Marquette comes into the 2017 NCAA Tournament with their highest seed in the history of the program as a number five seed. The Golden Eagles have a win in Corvallis against Oregon State and are 6-0 against Top 25 teams. Allazia Blockton leads Marquette in scoring at 17.2 points per game and the Golden Eagles as team are averaging just under 80. Quinnipiac is an excellent defensive team limiting opponents to 56.6 points per game on the season. So something has to give in this matchup.
#4 Miami (FL) vs. #13 Florida Gulf Coast
Katie Meier continues to build a consistently strong program as head coach of Miami, most recently culminating in a trip to the ACC Tournament semifinals. Adrienne Motley and Jessica Thomas are a senior guard combination that has the ability to take Miami very far in this NCAA Tournament. Florida Gulf Coast is back in the NCAA Tournament this season and they are led by Rosemarie Julien, who is scoring 11.1 points per game. Look for a hard fought contest between these two in-state programs.
#6 Missouri vs. #11 South Florida
Missouri is back in the NCAA Tournament and will be looking to break through and get to the Sweet 16. The Tigers are led by Sophie Cunningham and Cierra Porter, who are averaging a combined 31 points per game. South Florida is averaging just over 70 points per game and should be able to control tempo against Missouri and get this game into the fourth quarter with a chance to win.
#3 Florida State vs. #14 Western Illinois
Florida State should be very eager to get back on to the court after falling to Miami in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals 56-54. The Seminoles are led by ACC Player of the Year Shakayla Thomas and an experienced supporting cast that is capable of a great run in the NCAA Tournament. Western Illinois is a highly skilled offensively as they are averaging over 80 points per game. They are led by Emily Clemens and Morgan Blumer, who are both excellent shooters.
Creighton tied for the regular season championship in the Big East Conference and will be making its 6th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Blue Jays will look to Audrey Faber and Marissa Janning to lead the way offensively and, as a whole, Creighton has done a nice job shutting teams down defensively. Toledo has a very balanced scoring attack that should stress the Blue Jays’ defense all game long. Janice Monakana is pacing the Rockets offensively, averaging 12.4 points per game.
#2 Oregon State vs. #15 Long Beach State
Oregon State will have the backing of a great crowd at Gill Coliseum as they take on Long Beach State. The duo of Sydney Wiese and Marie Gulich will provide a great inside-outside combination that will keep the 49ers off balance all night long. Long Beach State is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992 and are led by Anna Kim, Raven Benton, and Madison Montgomery who are all averaging at least ten points per game.
