Might as well start this now. Game at 5:30 on the road. Expecting a good home crowd for ODU. This should be our most difficult game in conference play. We've toughed out wins against them the last couple of years, but this is a better team.

We've struggled with their physicality in the past and I wouldn't expect that to be much different this time around. Our defense has to be at its best because McCray is a good coach and her game plans have stifled us in the past.

One of their leading scorers (5-10 Ajah Wayne) hasn't played the last three games since hurting her foot. Apparently she was in street clothes in a boot for those games, but it's possible she plays tonight? According to someone on the CUSA board, two other regulars for them are possibly out tonight as well (one would be Amaya Register, a 5-4 guard who has missed the last 2 games). I don't know who the other one is.

They have a 6-3 senior center (Ashley Scott) who has started all 23 games for them but is averaging just 0.3 points a game (and has attempted just 12 shots in those 23 games)?? I guess she's had a few okay rebounding games, but it seems like she starts and then quickly hits the bench for most of the game (she's averaging 15.8 minutes per game).

(02-13-2020 05:15 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  One of their leading scorers (5-10 Ajah Wayne) hasn't played the last three games since hurting her foot. Apparently she was in street clothes in a boot for those games, but it's possible she plays tonight? According to someone on the CUSA board, two other regulars for them are possibly out tonight as well (one would be Amaya Register, a 5-4 guard who has missed the last 2 games). I don't know who the other one is.

They have a 6-3 senior center (Ashley Scott) who has started all 23 games for them but is averaging just 0.3 points a game (and has attempted just 12 shots in those 23 games)?? I guess she's had a few okay rebounding games, but it seems like she starts and then quickly hits the bench for most of the game (she's averaging 15.8 minutes per game).

Reminds me of Denzel Taylor who used to play for them. Averaged 29.5 minutes per game in his senior year and took 79 total shots.

There's been some speculation on their board that they might get a player or two back for this game. I think you probably have to plan as if they'll be close to full strength.

This game is on ESPN+

I’m about to tune in and I’ll check back in here at halftime

Awful start and I'm not sure this is a winnable game if we don't get a friendlier whistle. 6-2 ODU. They're pushing the tempo and not letting us get set which is a good strategy.

Good response and it's 7-6. Erica is going to need to look for a pass for than the shot today (or so it seems from the first few minutes). ODU defense is collapsing which means there should be a shooter (or roller) open. ODU playing a fun style of basketball. Feisty defense and throwing up some prayers in transition.

Two biggest concerns right now: toughness and transition defense. Beyond Erica, I'm not seeing anybody who's willing to get physical and fight. Mulkey looks like a deer in headlights. Much more like the first half of the season and not like the last few games. And our transition defense in that quarter was really, really bad. ODU got three uncontested layups in the last 3-4 minutes off of 1-2 passes. Guard defense was really bad.

16-12 ODU.

20-12 ODU.

This could end up being a blowout. ODU is bullying us right now. They look better coached and objectively like the better team.

Might sound stupid but that's a big 4-0 run with the offense looking shady. 20-16 ODU. ODU with a really interesting offensive strategy of sealing off Nancy with their center to try to take her shot blocking out of the game. She's still managed to alter a few, but it's been somewhat effective on a bunch of other drives.

ODU's foul trouble is keeping us in the game. 24-23 ODU.

We just need so much more from Mulkey against good teams. That's a few close ones she's missed and we don't have enough offense to miss good looks.

28-28 at the half. I'll probably take that. Some rough stretches but also some good resiliency to fight back. Good couple minutes at the end there for Mulkey which will hopefully give her some confidence. But we need one or two of Wiggins/Schwartz/Smith to step up and score. Don't know if we can win this one with just Erica and Mulkey.

And 28-28 at the half.

ODU has quite a few in foul trouble with 2 each. ODU I think has only attempted 6 FT. Solid 2Q after the shaky start down 11-20 early

Really good offensive start to the second half. 35-30 Rice.

But then Rice let's ODU take the lead.... 36-35 ODU.

And then poor play gives ODU six straight and they take back the lead. Too many stretches like that, even when we've been winning.

Mulkey now a crazy 3-12. This is kind of reminiscent of the Marquette tournament game. Kind of a miracle that it's a one point game when one of our two big offensive weapons is struggling that much.

If only we could make free throws tonight...

Erica is 6-11. The rest of the team is 9-29. We have zero (0) bench points. I really hope we have the legs because the starters have not gotten much rest. Somebody apart from Erica needs to step up. I imagine McCray's plan for the 4th will be to make anybody but her beat them.