Women’s Basketball Games of the Weekend 12/30 – 1/1
No. 25 NEBRASKA at No. 14 PENN STATE (7 p.m. Friday at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania)
The Big Ten’s newest member gets its inauguration into women’s basketball when Nebraska travels to Penn State. The Cornhuskers (11-1) have been on a roll since a 73-57 loss to Georgia Tech earlier in the season, but they have also been off for eight days. In the last game, an 80-71 loss to South Dakota State, Jordan Hooper had a solid contest with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Lindsey Moore also had 27 points in the victory. Penn State (10-2) is also playing its Big Ten opener and also had eight days off between games; in its last game the Lady Lions topped Bucknell 78-54. Penn State has lost to Delaware and Texas Tech this season.
MARQUETTE at TOLEDO (12 p.m. Saturday at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio)
Yes, Marquette may play a stronger level of talent overall, but the Golden Eagles are aware of what Toledo just did. Marquette rides a three-game winning streak into this contest, with wins over Iona, San Diego State and Vermont, and its last two losses have been against ranked teams (Green Bay and Notre Dame). Marquette (8-5) goes up against a Toledo squad with a 7-4 record, and that includes two losses against Green Bay. In its last game against Northwestern, Toledo scored a 75-56 victory behind 19 points from Yolanda Richardson. The Rockets could pull off another surprise here, so be watchful.
ROBERT MORRIS at DUQUESNE (1 p.m. Saturday at A.J. Palumbo Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
One of numerous games that are often played throughout Pittsburgh for control of who is best in the Steel City, this game pits Northeast Conference and Atlantic-10 teams against each other. Robert Morris (8-3) just broke a two-game losing streak when it beat Akron 85-78 in its last game. The Colonials have lost to Stony Brook, Lehigh and Morehead State. Duquesne (11-2) topped Pittsburgh 70-57 in its last game, so a win here gives the Dukes some bragging power around the city. Duquesne has lost to North Dakota and Florida. It looks like the Dukes, Richmond and St. Bonaventure will be the three teams to watch in the Atlantic-10 this season when all is said and done.
ARIZONA at ARIZONA STATE (2 p.m. Saturday at Wells-Fargo Center in Tucson, Arizona)
This early-season Pac-12 showdown is played for bragging rights in the state of Arizona, and the Wildcats come into this game with an 11-1 overall record. Arizona, whose lone loss came against Brigham Young at the start of December, just beat UNLV 62-58 and has a six-game winning streak entering this game. The Sun Devils (9-2) have lost two games to ranked teams (DePaul and Rutgers) and nearly dropped a third game in their last contest. However, Arizona State topped Texas-El Paso 47-45 to prevail. Kimberly Brandon’s double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds were key to the ASU win.
No. 3 STANFORD at UCLA (5 p.m. Saturday at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California)
If you thought this game would be a blowout on paper, take a look at what just happened against USC. Yes, the Cardinal prevailed but it was only by eight points, 61-53. The Trojans gave Stanford (10-1, 1-0 Pac 12) all they could handle, and that could spell trouble because Stanford is traveling into hostile territory with this game. The Cardinal have a seven-game winning streak riding after the USC win, keyed by 19 points and 15 rebounds by Nnemkedi Ogwumike. UCLA (6-6, 1-0) just beat California 60-55 to break a four-game losing streak of its own. Thea Lemberger scored nine points in the final minute on the way to a 26-point night.
No. 8 KENTUCKY at FLORIDA (1 p.m. Sunday at O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida)
The new year brings the start of Southeastern Conference action for these teams, as both figure to be in the SEC title hunt this season. Kentucky (11-2) has lost two of its last three games, including a surprising 70-58 loss to Middle Tennessee State; the previous loss was a not as surprising one against Notre Dame. Bria Goss led Kentucky with 12 points, but the Wildcats shot 32.3 percent from the field in the loss. Florida (10-3) has a three-game winning streak going with wins over Charleston Southern, Duquesne and Samford. Deana Allen had 17 points off the bench in the win over Samford as five players hit double figures for the Gators.
ARKANSAS AT No. 9 GEORGIA (2 p.m. Sunday at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia)
The other big SEC game of the day takes place in Georgia as the Razorbacks visit the Athens campus. Arkansas (11-1) has won 11 in a row since a season-opening loss to Minnesota, and the Razorbacks topped Mississippi Valley State 59-40 in their last outing. Sarah Watkins scored 15 points in the victory. As for Georgia (11-2), its losses came against Georgetown and Gonzaga, but the Bulldogs are on a three-game winning streak courtesy of victories over Montana State, Appalachian State and Furman. It should be an interesting contest as teams jockey for position in the SEC.
