Women’s Basketball Game Breakdowns 11/25-11/27
Welcome to Thanksgiving weekend, which tips off with two solid top-25 matchups spotlighting Southeastern Conference teams and ends with a big showdown between two women’s basketball powerhouses. While all eyes should be on the Baylor-Tennessee game this Sunday, these other games are nothing to laugh about. In particular, keep an eye on the Green Bay Phoenix, who might be a surprise team to watch in the Horizon League this year.
No. 11 LOUISVILLE AT No. 22 FLORIDA STATE (7 p.m. Friday at Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Florida)
This big matchup between Big East Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference opponents is a fun way to kick off the traditional three-day weekend (if Thanksgiving wasn’t exciting enough for you). Louisville is currently 4-1 overall and on a three-game winning streak after wins over Eastern Kentucky, Xavier and Austin Peay. In the 78-60 win over the Governors, which was Louisville coach Jeff Walz’s 100th victory, Monique Reid returned from back problems to post 18 points, and Becky Burke added 15 points. Florida State is off to a 3-2 start, but it broke a two-game losing streak on Nov. 21 with a 94-74 victory against Georgia State. Chelsea Davis scored 25 points off the bench and Alexa Deluzio chipped in 20 points and eight rebounds. The Seminoles showed signs of recovery, but Louisville will be a tough squad to face.
No. 8 GEORGIA VS. No. 20 GEORGETOWN (6:30 p.m. Saturday at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada)
Part of the Lady Rebel Roundup, a non-conference tournament featuring some key top-25 talent, this event will be a national showcase for an underrated Georgia basketball team that wants to make some noise. The Bulldogs have an unbeaten 4-0 record, but it includes just one win against a nationally-known opponent (USC, 67-60). Otherwise, Georgia has beaten up on the likes of TCU, Georgia Southern and The College of Charleston. Meredith Mitchell had a career-high 21 points to lead Georgia to victory. Georgetown is off to a 3-2 start this season that includes double-digit losses against Maryland and LSU. It has recovered from those losses with a two-game win streak against Houston and Monmouth. Thirteen was a lucky number in the 64-44 win over Monmouth as Rubylee Wright, Tia Magee and Taylor Brown each scored 13 points.
GREEN BAY VS. GEORGIA TECH (7 p.m. Saturday at Mario Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico)
Part of the prestigious San Juan Shootout, this tournament is a chance for Georgia Tech to show itself off to the masses a little more. The Ramblin Wreck carries a 4-0 record into the tournament but has a tough test against Rutgers on Friday before it can even think about Wisconsin-Green Bay. Included among Georgia Tech’s victories are wins over Old Dominion and Marquette, so Georgia Tech has done some good work. In a 94-51 win over Kennesaw State Tyaunna Marshall and Danielle Hamilton-Carter each scored 14 points. Green Bay has won its first four games, including a very impressive 82-62 win that could spell trouble for most teams once the Phoenix reaches Horizon League play. Julie Wojta paced Green Bay with 24 points in this victory.
No. 1 BAYLOR AT No. 6 TENNESSEE (2 p.m. Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee)
Could this be a preview of an NCAA regional final or perhaps even a Final Four game? For now it is a huge non-conference contest that won’t ding its loser too badly. After all, if Tennessee falls it can say it lost to the top team in the nation, and if Baylor loses it could say the Lady Volunteers have a long and storied history. Baylor’s 5-0 start includes a strong 94-81 victory over Notre Dame, and the Bears cracked the century mark in their last win with a 109-59 victory over Yale. Brittney Griner led the way with 31 points and 10 rebounds. After a promising start against Pepperdine and Miami, Tennessee faltered in a 69-64 overtime loss to Virginia despite 22 points from Taber Spani. You can bet Tennessee will be still steaming over this game, even though it happened a week ago.
No. 17 LSU AT OHIO STATE (5 p.m. Sunday at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio)
A strong non-conference matchup between Southeastern Conference and Big Ten foes, this game is a chance for LSU to show off and improve on what has been a surprisingly lackluster start. LSU is 3-2 on the season, including a double-digit win over Georgetown, but losses against Tulane and Northwestern have made people scratch their heads and wonder if the Tigers are a bit over ranked to start the season. In the 44-43 Northwestern loss LaSondra Barrett’s 11 points led the way, but she also missed the front end of a crucial one-and-one free-throw opportunity that could have given LSU the win. Ohio State has won all three of its games to date over Tennessee State, Temple and Howard and entertains Stony Brook (New York) Friday before the big LSU matchup. Taylor Hill’s three 3-pointers and 18 points led the way in Ohio State’s last victory.
