WBB: Duke Vs. Vanderbilt (NCAA Tourney)
Ugh...a late game. Tip off is at 9:35 for us on the east coast. The women get the pleasure of playing 7th seeded Vanderbilt on Vanderbilt's home court. The arena is will be loud, crowded and hot, which doesn't sound that much different than Cameron, except that 90% of the voices will be yelling for the Commodores. Elizabeth Williams said she was getting sore in the second half with her leg, so it's good she sat, but I can't believe she won't be feeling the pain again tonight. If Tricia Liston gives another strong performance like she did Sunday and Haley Peters and Chelsea Gray do what they need to do, this should be a Duke victory. If any of those players have an off night though, and this game may be a struggle.
I would love to see us jump out with intensity early and build a quick lead. Do that, and they may take the crowd out of the picture some, and that would help lots. I watched a little bit of Vandy's first game, and it was not an easy win for Vanderbilt. They got outrebounded, which will be important for Duke to do as well. The other category we need to control is turnovers. In our blowout win, we turned the ball over 13 times. All in all, that's not a bad number for a whole game, and I can forgive that since it's hard to maintain focus when the score is so lopsided for so long. However, in their closer game, Vandy only turned the ball over 12 times..so without having seen them I assume they protect the ball well.
Tonight is a game I'll be nervous watching, but I don't think the women will be nervous playing. They've played in tough environments before, against better teams..and won. (And lost very closely...Maryland) They will be prepared and I'm sure Coach P will have a good game plan. GO DUKE!!
Q "Why do you like Duke, you didn't even go there." A "Because my art school didn't have a basketball team."