Women’s Basketball Games of the Weekend 12/16 – 12/18
After a slow start to the weekend, two big matchups dot the Sunday landscape, including a nighttime contest between Connecticut and Baylor that could be a preview of things to come in the NCAA tournament. The Kentucky-Notre Dame contest earlier in the day is almost an afterthought, although that should be a great game as well.
ARIZONA STATE AT No. 25 DePAUL (8 p.m. Friday at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago, Illinois)
One of the top teams in the Pac-12 goes up against the Big East in the night’s marquee matchup. Although Arizona State (7-1) is not ranked, the Sun Devils are coming off a 63-49 win over Cal State-Fullerton . It was their third win in a row following a loss to Rutgers earlier in the season. Kali Bennett has been the Sun Devils’ top player as of late and her 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks against CSF is evidence of how good she can be. DePaul (9-2) has losses against San Diego State and Tennessee, but the Blue Demons recovered from the Tennessee loss to beat Princeton 78-67 behind Keisha Hampton’s 23-point performance.
CINCINNATI AT MIAMI OF OHIO (2 p.m. Saturday at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio)
A regional showdown is on the radar as the Big East faces the Mid-American Conference, although these schools aren’t even an hour apart. Miami of Ohio (6-3) has lost to Temple, Stetson and Duquesne but is on a two-game winning streak that includes victories over Eastern Kentucky and Wright State. The Bearcats are also off to a 6-3 record but have hit the skids in recent games, as evidenced by a three-game losing streak that includes losses to Xavier, Marshall and Louisville. Bjonee Reaves had 18 points and six rebounds for Cincinnati. The Bearcats have the tougher schedule, but Miami of Ohio could provide a difficult challenge when all is said and done.
PRINCETON AT No. 4 STANFORD (4 p.m. Saturday at Maples Pavilion in Berkeley, California)
Speaking of Princeton, one of the Ivy League’s better squads ventures deep into Pac-12 territory to take on a college basketball powerhouse. Although Stanford should be heavily favored, keep a few things in mind as this game looms. Princeton (7-3) is looking to right the ship following three losses in the last four games to Delaware, Navy and DePaul. Each loss was by double digits, but none were blowouts. Look out for Niveen Rasheed, who can be quite dangerous in game situations. Considering she dropped 23 points and 18 rebounds on a ranked DePaul squad, it isn’t out of the question that she could do the same to Stanford. Oh, and did we mention the next game is against Tennessee? This has all the makings of a look-ahead game, but Stanford should prevail. Stanford (6-1) has one loss against Connecticut, and all of its other wins are by pretty healthy margins.
No. 7 TENNESSEE AT UCLA (5 p.m. Saturday at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California)
After a difficult stretch earlier this season, it looks like Pat Summitt’s Lady Vols have recovered and are back on track to be one of the top programs in women’s basketball. Tennessee (6-2) has a four-game winning streak, including victories over ranked schools like Rutgers, Texas and DePaul. That will definitely help with team chemistry and bonding issues the program might have had. In the last game, a 67-61 win over Rutgers, Shekinna Stricklen scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds. UCLA (5-3) suffered back-to-back losses against Baylor and West Virginia earlier in the season, but the Bruins won three straight before falling to LSU 58-41. Markel Walker came off the bench for 11 points in what was her season debut following thumb surgery that caused her to miss seven games.
No. 9 KENTUCKY AT No. 2 NOTRE DAME (1 p.m. Sunday at Joyce Center in South Bend, Ind.)
The first of two marquee matchups on the Sunday canvas should be a dandy. So much attention has been paid to the Kentucky men’s hot start that the Lady Wildcats have gone without much notice outside their home state. That may change. Kentucky (10-0) has big wins against Louisville and Duke this month, and the Wildcats followed that up with a 101-43 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Keyla Snowden’s 19 points paced Kentucky in this contest, which provided a respite from all the dramatic games the Wildcat women have had as of late. Notre Dame (9-1) has lost just once, a 94-81 defeat against top-ranked Baylor, but the Irish have wins against ranked schools like Duke and Purdue to their credit. Notre Dame’s 66-38 win over Purdue was particularly impressive, because it was only the ninth time an opponent has held Purdue to under 40 points. Natalie Novosel led Notre Dame with 17 points.
No. 21 NORTH CAROLINA AT SOUTH CAROLINA (3 p.m. Sunday at Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
The battle of the Carolinas goes to Myrtle Beach in the aptly named “Carolinas Challenge”, which pits the Tar Heel women against a potentially dangerous opponent. North Carolina (7-1) has lost only once, a 103-84 defeat to Penn State, but the Tar Heels have otherwise been perfect. They have a two-game win streak going that includes Lipscomb and East Tennessee State. Yes, it isn’t the best competition, but at least North Carolina has something good going. Chay Shegog’s 26 points and 12 rebounds against East Tennessee State were key. South Carolina (8-2), which plays in the SEC, lost by two points to North Carolina State at the start of this month but recovered for lopsided wins against Furman and South Carolina State. South Carolina’s other loss, like North Carolina, came against Penn State. La’Keisha Sutton scored 12 points in just 23 minutes.
No. 3 CONNECTICUT AT No. 1 BAYLOR (8:30 p.m. Sunday at Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas)
The second marquee matchup of the day is a nationally-televised prime-time game that should bring plenty of exposure to both clubs. It will also bring one loss to somebody, as Connecticut and Baylor are both undefeated. Connecticut (9-0) knocked off Stanford by 10 points and Texas A&M by 30 points, both very impressive victories. Connecticut’s last win was a 70-37 victory over Seton Hall despite what coach Geno Auriemma termed an “offensive funk” his Huskies were in. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Tiffany Hayes and Caroline Doty had 15 points apiece for Connecticut in this game. Baylor (10-0) has beaten Notre Dame and Tennessee by an average 11-point margin, and the Bears are coming off a 73-59 win over St. John’s. Brooklyn Pope’s 19 points and eight rebounds paced Baylor and took a little pressure off of top player Brittney Griner.
