Women's Basketball 2015 NCAA Tournament Albany Round of 32 Game Breakdowns

Connecticut Women's College Basketball

Albany Region Round of 32 Game Breakdowns

 

#1 Connecticut vs. #8 Rutgers (Storrs, Connecticut)

In their first round game, Rutgers once again relied on Tyler Scaife, Betnijah Laney and Kahleah Copper to carry the load. Those three accounted for 59 of Rutgers’ 79 points in their 13-point win over ninth-seeded Seton Hall in the first round. Unfortunately for Rutgers, they have to face Connecticut next. The Scarlet Knights will need the rest of the team to at least play great defense if they want to pull off the massive upset. As always, Connecticut is loaded. Breanna Stewart averaged 17.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.6 blocks heading into the NCAA Tournament and, now that the competition is getting tougher, expect her to really shine. Even if Stewart has an off night, Morgan Tuck, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Kia Nurse and point guard Moriah Jefferson are all double digit scorers who are capable of taking over a game as well.

 

#4 California vs. #5 Texas (Berkeley, California)

The Texas frontcourt led the Longhorns to victory in the first round against a scrappy Western Kentucky squad. Imani McGee-Stafford led the way with 24 points and 15 rebounds. On the game, Texas outrebounded WKU 49-28. Cal had a bit of an easier time at home against Wichita State. All five Golden Bear starters were in double-digits in the scoring column in the 78-66 victory. McGee-Stafford may not have as much success against Cal’s Reshanda Gray and Mikayla Cowling, but she is a difference maker and the Longhorns most consistent weapon. However, Texas will need to knock down some shots if they expect to win in Berkeley. Against WKU, they hit just one three-pointer in 13 attempts. That was enough to slip past the Hilltoppers, but it will not be enough to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

 

#3 Louisville vs. #6 South Florida (Tampa Bay, Florida)

Louisville had no trouble with BYU, beating the Cougars 86-53. Forward Myisha Hines-Allen led the Cardinals with 19 points, despite playing just 20 minutes. They advance to the second round to take on South Florida, who beat LSU in the first round 73-64. This will be an interesting second round contest since the Bulls have the home court advantage in Tampa Bay. Louisville has so many weapons though and they are a tough to stop. Seniors Bria Smith and Jude Schimmel will keep the team under control and freshman Mariya Moore is ready to emerge onto the national radar. But just when you start to contain those three, Hines-Allen and Sara Hammond make you pay in the frontcourt. The Bulls are a solid defensive team and can beat Louisville on the glass thanks to forwards Alisia Jenkins and Laura Ferreira but, as usual, South Florida’s success or failures come on the shoulders of Courtney Williams. She is a big time scorer, but struggled from the floor on Saturday, going just 7-of-25 from the floor. She has to hit more shots and score closer to 25 or 30 points if South Florida is going to pull off the upset.

 

#2 Kentucky vs. #7 Dayton (Lexington, Kentucky)

Tennessee State’s impressive late season run came to an end against Kentucky. The Wildcats were up 50-25 at the break and cruised to an easy 97-52 win. Six players scored at least ten points. But Kentucky will not have the luxury of cruising through their second round contest against Dayton. The Flyers looked very good against a tough Iowa State team in the first round. Ally Malott scored 18 and grabbed a dozen rebounds, while fellow superstar Andrea Hoover scored a team high 20 points. Kentucky must find a way to contain those two and make somebody else beat them. Kelley Austria and reserve center Saicha Grant-Allen, who had a superb outing against Iowa State, must make some shots and help alleviate the pressure on Malott and Hoover. Kentucky is the more talented team though and as long as point guard Jennifer O’Neill keeps her team under control and can create shots for Linnae Harper and Mikayla Epps, Kentucky should be able to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

 

Tournament Central