UND @ USD 7pm ESPN+

[yote18]

The University of North Dakota Fighting Somethings (9-4, 2-1) make the trip down to the SCSC to take on our Yotes (7-8, 3-1).

Last time out:

UND is coming in off of a 5 point loss to NDSU (81-76) with 27 points coming from Kacie Borowicz. UND shot 40.9% from the field and 15.8% from the 3. Neither team shot the 3 ball particularly well but UND held NDSU to 37.3% from the field and 18.2% from the 3.

USD is coming in off of a loss to WIU (76-67) behind 18 points from Grace Larkins. USD never led in the game and was held to 32.7% from the field but shot 26.7% from 3.

potential key to the game?

Free throws….. USD converted 23-29(79.3%) against WIU. UND converted 19-20 (95%) against NDSU.

Rebounds. USD had 12 offensive and 37 defensive against WIU. UND had 12 Offensive and 23 Defensive against NDSU.

[kiyoat]

Agree that Rebounds and fouling (free throws) will be big factors in this game.  I watched the UND-NDSU game, and came away generally impressed with UND's tenacity in getting rebounds.  The F-Hawks actually led for most of the game, but gave it away in the last few minutes.  It was a 2-point game with under 30 seconds, IIRC.  Both of those teams are solid this year.  Not explosive, but fundamentally solid.  JMO.

Here are some predictions:

Yotes win 69-67 (-2) Warren Nolan
Yotes win 73-59 (-14) Massey

I'm inclined to think this will be close, but it's truly difficult to predict this team this year.  We could just as easily blow them out or get blown out.  Offensively Kacie and Grace will be who the opposing team will try to slow down, I think.  NDSU actually held Kacie down for much of their game, but were still losing.  Would love to see some offensive balance from the Yotes.

[kiyoat]

The Yotes' arc-shooting vs the Hawks' perimeter defense is another matchup to watch.  When you filter to just conference games (on the Summit stats site), the Yotes are #1 in 3-point percentage (.366), vs the #1 3-point defense in the league from UND (.198).  A good inside game on offense might take some pressure off of the perimeter.  This might be a game where some "drive and kick" offense from Grace could be effective, where she can take the option like in football run/pass.  I think she has really improved her drive/kick out game.

The Hawks don't shoot a lot from the arc, and don't shoot as well, compared to other League teams.  They prefer to make hay in the paint.  So our interior defense might need to show up today, and force them to take outside shots.  Maybe throw in some zone occasionally?

[kiyoat]

[kiyoat]

Also related to FT/PF is who is good at drawing fouls.

Kacie B shoots more than double the FTs of any other Hawk.  She averages 5.54 FT Attempts a game, making 5.0 (93%).

Grace similarly draws the most fouls for the Yotes.  She averages 4.53 FT Attempts a game, making 3.8 (84%).

Our next two, in terms of attempts are Ugofsky and Demers, shooting 66% and 64% respectively.  We have a lot of stripe-snipers that don't get to the line as often, like Hansen (94%), Duffney (85%), and Guebert (84%).  Of those, Guebert averages the most minutes, so having her a little more aggressive driving in the paint might make a big difference?

[soofooyote]

This is a bad matchup for the Yotes. It will be a challenge for us in a lot of ways that we haven't risen to so far this season. Hoping to see some good growth in interior defense, rebounding, and tenacity in this game. These next two games are critical for us, need to get the W's at home.

[yote18]

I agree soofoo. UND is pretty sound and it’s going to take some sound performances in all areas for us to win this one. It’s doable and I hope that we are learning from the loss to WIU and the near loss to UST.

Take care of home court and remind the league that the SCSC is still a dangerous place for them.

[soofooyote]

If you don’t play defense our girls will light you up.

[Men's League Waterboy]

The Larkins-Guebert-Avila-Hempe-Duffney lineup is pretty good if it holds up defensively.

[90yote]

Great game for the ladies. Blitzed them in the 2Q. Lot of good contributions, but Avila-Ambrosi was tremendous. I'm not sure I've seen a guard be that disruptive defensively, at least not since Hemiller. Seven steals, and my guess is she caused another three turnovers that weren't steals.

This was a good matchup for her as UND is small, but she will play a lot if she does that. And, she knocked down 4 out of 5 from behind the arc.

On the other hand, it was not a good match-up for Hansen. She just has problems guarding anyone with handles and quickness. The Bison are bigger so maybe Saturday will be a better match-up for her.

[elcoyote]

Jan 5, 2023 22:13:16 GMT -6 90yote said:

Great game for the ladies. Blitzed them in the 2Q. Lot of good contributions, but Avila-Ambrosi was tremendous. I'm not sure I've seen a guard be that disruptive defensively, at least not since Hemiller. Seven steals, and my guess is she caused another three turnovers that weren't steals.

This was a good matchup for her as UND is small, but she will play a lot if she does that. And, she knocked down 4 out of 5 from behind the arc.

On the other hand, it was not a good match-up for Hansen. She just has problems guarding anyone with handles and quickness. The Bison are bigger so maybe Saturday will be a better match-up for her.

I was really surprised that the UND coach never called a timeout during this run. If I remember correctly Karius called at least one, maybe two, in the third quarter when UND came out hot. Might have been the difference in the game. UND was tough, experienced team. Four grad transfers and three seniors ate up most of their minutes and our young squad played right with them. Big difference between an 18- or 19-year-old and a 22- or 23-year-old player. Great win for the team.

[kiyoat]

Great game! Seeing some players emerge or just improve on consistency.

[olifer]

Jan 5, 2023 19:46:58 GMT -6 Men's League Waterboy said:

The Larkins-Guebert-Avila-Hempe-Duffney lineup is pretty good if it holds up defensively.

Good observation, and I thought the same thing. With Jeniah out due to injury, Kayla had to change things up a bit and when this lineup was in the game, it caused a lot of problems for UND and likely will for some other teams as well. On the defensive end, UND was rattled with the constant pestering of the Larkins - Avila duo and couldn't seem to setup the plays they wanted with their constant disruptions. The other ladies held their own on that end, and then all contributed nicely when we had the ball. It's fun to watch this group when they're on the floor together.  

[MD]

Nicole was awesome. Also liked how Hempe was hunting shots a bit more. Geebs more aggressive with the ball too.

Fun game. W's are always fun.

[soofooyote]

I thought the girls played with tremendous confidence and tenacity last night. They really showed awesome poise in the 1st quarter when things got a little sideways, shots not dropping and some calls going the wrong way. They came out storming in the 2nd and blitzed them on the way to victory. Same poise and toughness in the 3rd when UND closed the gap. I like where our team is headed. Trust the process.


Also, I saw the eye chart come out last night, deservedly so!