OFFICIAL Game thread: Sweet 16 game vs. Louisville

Mik will be our MVP, but the 3 point shot had better be our star - Louisville is good enough to totally cut off the baseline, and they won't bother doubling up in the key on defense - man to man defense and fast transitions.


IMO, the locals will be big on supporting the Beavers because they will not want UL to win.  Go Beavs!

Two things, Destiny stay out of foul trouble, and the team hitting at least 30% from the 3. Oh, and Mik needs to not let Carter get in her head this time with cheap shots (kicking, grabbing etc). Sooo, three things.

I can usually count on baseba1111 to be direct and pessimistic. At least he is consistent with his analysis. 

I believe that Louisville is more vulnerable this season due to the recent injuries to Carter and Fuehring as well as the big subtraction of Hines-Allen to graduation and the WBNA following the 2018 Elite Eight game against Oregon State. Louisville has not been able to replace Hines-Allen with anything close to what she provided during the '17-'18 season.

Look for the Beavers to gain an early advantage, shoot a decent three-point percentage, and close the Cardinals out down the stretch. Beavs win by 7 tonight in Albany.

Well, Louisville did lose to Notre Dame twice this year, and the Beavs only lost to Nortre Dame once!! Seriously though, it is a long season and a lot of things change. I think Louisville has the advantage, but the Beavs did play as well against Notre Dame as Louisville did. Louisville played Arizona State earlier in the year, and only won by 2. Louisville lost to Miami who Arizona State just defeated. If nothing else, those games show you that the beavs can hang with Louisville on the right day. Let's hope this is the right day.

I'm guessing the Beavs need to shoot at least 40% from three, which they haven't been doing lately. Taya knocking down 2 against Gonzaga was encouraging since she's been off a bit.

Taya and Mik need to have around 10 rebounds each.

Jo needs to be solid. (spectacular would be better, but I'll settle for solid).

Most likely, Destiny needs to have her complete offensive game going, popping the 3, the pull up jumpers, and the drives to the basket and score 20-30 points....or more.

And it won't hurt if Katie is McClutch tonight!

Go Beavs!

We can't pass up open looks (Katie MAC?). All 5 of our defenders will need to be effective at "switching" on high screens. Defensive rebounding is going to be HUGE tonight. Louisville will absolutely press/trap us at various times during the game, and we cannot pick up our dribble (especially near the sideline or baseline).

You notice I mentioned nothing about 3-point percentage. We take what the defense is giving us, and if that is lanes to the hoop, then go, get the hoop or foul. Be opportunistic on outside shots, and for goodness sake, let it fly if you have a clean shot.

Lastly, Rueck & coaching staff has to make in game substitutions that put OSU in the best position to #1 defend Louisville (and keep game close), and where it makes sense, substitute to take advantage of offensive mis-matches (which I think are much fewer).

OSU does not have Ms. Gulich or Kat. With both those excellent players we were beaten badly last year. Louisville seems to be at least as good as last year.

We do have Destiny who is capable of big games. If she scores over 25 and the rest of our team shoots over 40% from three point range the game could be very competitive. Another huge plus would be getting 10 or more points from Katie Mac.

I think we will be beaten rather soundly, however I do not feel that detracts from what has been an outstanding year of over achievement for this group of women!

Go Beavs!

Seems like you naysayers are the same folks who were positive the Beav's could not possibly beat Tenn. or Baylor last year. Must be annoying being wrong over and over like that.

Louisville's difference from last year is that they lost their best defender, otherwise the rest of the team is doing about the same. While OSU has all improved substantially.

"Funny how UL didn't come close to replacing a WNBA player, yet no mention of the same for OSU?" Um, the rest of the internet just wonders when Destiny is going to go to the WNBA, you feel otherwise?