Green Bay Phoenix
Horizon (29-2, 16-0)
Green Bay won another Horizon League title and reached their fourth straight NCAA Tournament. In the last three years the Phoenix have won at least one tournament contest, highlighted by a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2011. Coach Kevin Borseth has another squad that has the talent to win a couple games in March.
Big Wins: 11/23 vs Missouri (55-33), 12/8 at Marquette (55-46), 12/30 at Wichita State (63-42)
Bad Losses: 11/22 vs James Madison (86-89), 12/5 at Central Michigan (50-54)
Coach: Kevin Borseth
Why They Can Surprise:
The Phoenix win games with their defense. If a team can score over 50 points against Green Bay it is a pretty good day. This is not a team that takes a lot of risks defensively, but Adrian Ritchie is a shutdown defender who will pick up a few steals every game. Ritchie is also a superb ball handler. With Megan Lukan also on the floor, Coach Borseth has two players he can rely upon to take care of the ball and work the offense for a good shot. Many of those good shots come from beyond the arc where Ritchie knocks downs 37.6 percent of her attempts. Forwards Sarah Eichler and Lydia Bauer can also consistently hit the three-pointer. Stephanie Sension is the traditional post scorer, although she too can stretch out the defense with her mid-range jumper.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Unlike in year’s past, this is a Green Bay team that does not rely on a major go-to-scorer. Ritchie is close to being that player, but the balanced scoring is a bit different. One bad game from Ritchie is not going to put an end to Green Bay’s chances, so that could end up being a positive for this group. The big concern is stopping a big, experienced frontcourt. Sension can battle in the paint, but she is not a major shot blocking threat. The overall team size is good, especially with 6-2 Jenny Gilbertson and 6-2 Breannah Ranger available on the bench, but the lack of a shot blocker could be a problem against a good interior scorer. And it is even tougher to project just how good the defense can be since they have rarely been tested this season. They will be tested in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Megan Lukan, Sophomore, Guard, 7.1 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.8 rpg
Adrian Ritchie, Senior, Guard, 14.2 ppg, 3.7 apg, 5.1 rpg, 2.6 spg
Sarah Eichler, Senior, Forward, 11.5 ppg, 3.6 apg, 4.0 rpg
Lydia Bauer, Senior, Forward, 10.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Stephanie Sension, Senior, Forward, 10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Jenny Gilbertson, Senior, Forward, 4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Breannah Ranger, Junior, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.3 (76th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 47.6 (1, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.1 (9, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 34.2 (14, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.1 (25, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.5 (34, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.0 (130, 4)
Rebound Margin: 3.3 (88, 3)
Assists Per Game: 17.8 (6, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.7 (25, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Iowa State
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kentucky
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Arkansas-Little Rock
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Michigan State
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Baylor
2010 NCAA Round of 64 over Virginia
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Iowa State
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to LSU
2008 NIT First Round loss to Drake
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
