Spokane Region Round of 64 Game Breakdowns
#1 Maryland vs. #16 New Mexico State (College Park, Maryland)
Maryland should be able to control New Mexico State from start to finish without too many issues. Lexie Brown leads a very balanced Terrapin offensive attack that can easily score in the 80’s on any given day. Maryland also should not lack for confidence after running the table in year one of their membership in the Big Ten. New Mexico State is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1988 as the WAC Constance Tournament Champions and are led by Sasha Weber, who is averaging 15.0 points per game.
#8 Princeton vs. #9 Green Bay (College Park, Maryland)
Princeton has arguably been the story of the year in women’s college basketball and are the only undefeated team in the sport at 30-0. The selection committee did not reward them however as they have to go on the road as a number eight seed. The Tigers can be beat you in many ways; they can burn you from the outside with great three-point shooting or pound it inside. Blake Dietrick is averaging 14.9 points per game and will be the key against Green Bay. The Phoenix are back in the NCAA Tournament and are always one of those teams in the NCAA Tournament that can potentially spring an upset. This should be a down to the wire contest.
#5 Mississippi State vs. #12 Tulane (Durham, North Carolina)
This should be a defensive masterpiece as both teams are excellent defensive squads. Mississippi State limits teams to just 37.3 percent shooting from the floor and freshman Victoria Vivians carries the offense for the Bulldogs and is scoring 15.5 points and averaging 5.0 rebounds per game. Tulane should be battle tested after seeing Uconn during the conference schedule and will employ a methodical pace to slow down Mississippi State. Kolby Morgan is going to need to find a way to score 15-20 points in order for the Green Wave to advance.
#4 Duke vs. #13 Albany (Durham, North Carolina)
Duke has battled their way through the season despite losing multiple players to transfers, leaving them with three scholarship guards in the roster heading into the postseason. It will be up to senior center Elizabeth Williams to dominate inside to take pressure off of a very thin backcourt. Albany is the America East Champion and can shoot the basketball very well. The Great Danes are a great shooting team at 48 percent and will present some potential challenges defensively for Duke as opponents are only scoring 55 points per game this season against Albany. Junior forward Sherreesha Richards is going to have to have an outstanding performance for the Great Danes to get the upset.
#6 George Washington vs. #11 Gonzaga (Corvallis, Oregon)
George Washington does an outstanding job at causing havoc defensively and they will test the experienced Gonzaga backcourt. Jonquel Jones leads the way for the Colonials. She is scoring 15.5 points per game and Atlantic 10 champions overall are scoring over 73 points per game. Gonzaga is battle tested and has the short trip over to Corvallis, which should help them as Bulldog fans travel very well. Sunny Greinacher is an outstanding post player that is scoring 13.7 points per game and Kenai Alvarez and Elle Tinkle provide a great balance scoring wise that will test the Colonials all game long.
#3 Oregon State vs. #14 South Dakota State (Corvallis, Oregon)
Oregon State has earned a much deserved opportunity to host the first two rounds at Gil Coliseum. Head Coach Scott Rueck has done a great job in resurrecting the Beavers by elevating them into a top ten caliber of program. Ruth Hamblin was player of the year in the Pac-12 and is very difficult to stop down in the post as she averages 12.9 points per game. Jamie Weisner and Sydney Wiese open things up for Hamblin by controlling the other team’s backcourt pretty well. South Dakota State will need their very best efforts from Megan Waytashek, Macy Miller and Mariah Clarin in order for the Jackrabbits to have a chance in the second half to pull the upset.
#7 Chattanooga vs. #10 Pittsburgh (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Chattanooga has also been a great story this season as they beat Tennessee back on November 28th by a score of 67-63 and beat Stanford on December 17th 54-46. These two wins set the tone for a tremendous season to date for the Mocs. Jasmine Joyner is the leading scorer for Chattanooga and she is scoring 12.0 points per game. Chelsea Shumpert and Ka’vonne Towns are shooting very well from three-point range and that will test Pittsburgh a great deal in this matchup. The Panthers have had an issue with being inconsistent at times this season. There have been great wins against North Carolina and some inexplicable losses against the likes of Duquesne. Brianna Kissel is going to have to carry the way for Pittsburgh if they are to beat Chattanooga in this matchup.
#2 Tennessee vs. #15 Boise State (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Tennessee, despite the loss of Isabelle Harrison, has put themselves in a very good position under Holly Warlick to get to the Spokane Regional weekend. The Volunteers should be able to get enough offensively out of the likes of Cierra Burdick to send them through to a rematch with Chattanooga in the second round. Boise State went on a run in the Mountain West tournament and is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. If Brooke Pahukoa and Yaiza Rodriguez can get on fire from three-point range, they can stay competitive with Tennessee in this matchup. Overall, the Volunteers should eventually wear down the Broncos and advance on to the second round once again.
