Women’s Basketball Games of the Week 1/16 – 1/20
A game where the battle for Texas is on the line, not to mention the Big 12, highlights the early-week schedule. Things are pretty light on Friday, but there are seven games here to keep an eye on, two of which have title implications in non-major conferences. There are several matchups involving top-25 teams facing off, or at least teams that are near the top 25.
NORTH CAROLINA at No. 6 CONNECTICUT (7 p.m. Monday at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut)
An Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East opponent square off in what should be a decent contest. Yes, it’s likely a win for UConn, but you never know following some of the things that have taken place this weekend. North Carolina (12-4, 2-2 ACC) has a two-game losing streak against Maryland and Clemson entering this contest, but a win here would be big for UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell, who needs one victory to reach 600 for her career. Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Chay Shagog each scored 11 points for the Tar Heels in the Clemson loss. Connecticut (14-2, 4-1 Big East) just downed Villanova in convincing fashion, 72-49, as Tiffany Hayes scored 22 points.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY at ALBANY (7 p.m. Monday at SEFCU Arena in Albany, New York)
Control of the America East Conference is up for grabs in this game, although Boston is technically a half-game off the league pace. The Terriers (11-6, 4-0) are getting better on defense, holding Maine and Stony Brook to 34 points apiece in dominant wins. Boston comes into this game having won eight of its last 10, but Albany (11-7, 5-0) has won five in a row and has a 60-48 victory over Maine in its last contest. Albany can put a bit of distance between itself and the rest of the league with a win here, but a Boston win puts the Terriers in first by a half game.
WEST VIRGINIA at MARSHALL (7 p.m. Tuesday at Henderson Center in Huntington, West Virginia)
The men aren’t the only ones getting to battle for West Virginia state bragging rights. Two pretty solid women’s teams face off in Huntington. It can’t be argued West Virginia (12-5, 3-2 Big East) has the tougher schedule of the two, not when its losses come to the likes of Connecticut. But the Mountaineers can be surprised by other teams, too, as evidenced by a 51-48 loss to Providence in the last contest. Marshall (12-4, 3-1 C-USA) saw its five-game winning streak busted by SMU in a 55-53 heartbreaker. This game is for fun before the teams return to conference play, and both schools are looking to lick their wounds and get back on the winning side.
La SALLE at CHARLOTTE (12 p.m. Wednesday at Dale F. Halton Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina)
Baylor and Texas Tech may get all the attention later in the day, but this game is the true one with title implications on the line. LaSalle (9-9, 3-0) and Charlotte (11-6, 3-0) both sport unbeaten A-10 marks along with St. Bonaventure. LaSalle has won six in a row to pull to .500 following a dreadful 3-9 start, and this game will be crucial if the Explorers hope to continue that momentum. LaSalle just beat Xavier 63-51 after wins over Saint Louis and Fordham. Charlotte nearly lost its five-game winning streak but hung on for a 61-60 win over George Washington. The 49ers must hope they are not looking ahead; the game on the schedule following this one is against St. Bonaventure, so LaSalle could catch Charlotte looking past the Explorers.
No. 1 BAYLOR at No. 18 TEXAS TECH (8 p.m. Wednesday at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas)
Easily the week’s best game that doesn’t have direct title implications on the line, but control of the Big 12 Conference is still key here. Baylor (17-0, 4-0) just came off a 77-59 victory over Texas in a game where Brittney Griner scored 32 points and came down with 13 rebounds. She just keeps getting better with every game, but Texas Tech (14-2, 2-2) may have something to say about Griner. The Lady Raiders’ losses came against Oklahoma and Kansas State, the latter a heartbreaking 62-61 setback that Tech wishes it had back. A team on a two-game losing streak following a 14-0 start is always dangerous, so Baylor has been warned.
No. 19 NEBRASKA at No. 7 OHIO STATE (6 p.m. Thursday at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio)
Right about now, Nebraska, Ohio State and Michigan State have one question on their minds: Why doesn’t Purdue lose? Nebraska (15-2, 4-1) is making the most of its first season in Big Ten women’s basketball – or at least it was until Penn State came up with a mild 93-73 upset that knocked Nebraska out of a share of first place in the league. The Huskers will need Emily Cady, Jordan Hooper and others to ramp up their games if Nebraska has a shot at the Buckeyes. Ohio State (17-1, 4-1) is coming off a 64-56 win over Michigan State; its only loss came against Michigan earlier this month. Tayler Hill’s 21-point performance was crucial against the Spartans. Purdue faces Indiana, which hasn’t won yet in the Big Ten, on Thursday so the Boilermakers are likely to be in first following this game. If the Hoosiers pull the shocker, let the fun begin.
No. 4 KENTUCKY at No. 12 GEORGIA (7 p.m. Thursday at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia)
The Southeastern Conference is up for grabs in this game, as a win by Georgia could create a mess atop the SEC standings. Kentucky (16-2, 5-0) has the lead by itself with three teams – Georgia (15-3, 4-1), LSU and Tennessee – in hot pursuit. You can bet Pat Summitt would send Georgia a thank-you card if the Bulldogs won, as Summitt’s Lady Vols aren’t used to looking up at the top spot. Kentucky has the losses to Notre Dame and Middle Tennessee State on its docket, and it just beat South Carolina 66-58 behind Kelya Snowden’s 15 points. Georgia has won seven of its last eight, with an 80-51 thrashing by Tennessee the only black mark, but recent history has been better. Georgia is coming off a 68-51 win over Mississippi State.
