Preview and Game Thread: Lady Bears at UConn

Two legendary programs and coaches square off Thursday night on ESPN. Kim Mulkey and Geno Aureiema are first and second in winning percentage over their careers and also active national championships. The game could be a precursor to the Final Four in New Orleans, but that is getting ahead of the game. What this game will show is the weaknesses and strengths of both programs and what it will take to get to New Orleans and possibly take home another title. 

The Lady Bears stumbled without All-American Lauren Cox against #6 South Carolina during a grueling Thanksgiving tournament for their lone loss. Connecticut has remained unbeaten, but also less battle tested by only facing one other ranked opponent, while this will be the fourth for the Lady Bears. 

With Cox’s return, the Lady Bears will have their full assortment of weapons on offense and defense to push UConn and beat them, but they will need to slow 6-1 junior forward Megan Walker (21.0 ppg, 9.4 rebounds), senior guard Crystal Daingerfield (15.0 ppg, 4.4 assists) and 5-11 sophomore guard Christyn Williams (16.3 ppg, 5.2 assists). Look for DiDi Richards to draw the assingment of frustrating Walker. Juicy Landrum and T’ea Cooper will need to take Daingerfield and Williams out of rhythm and force the Huskies to the guard beyond the three point line. 

Inside, Cox will face a talented big in 6-5 Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Nelson-Ododa has struggled recently and look for Baylor to go inside to get Cox and NaLyssa Smith going offensively. UConn is predominantly a guard oriented team, but Nelson-Ododa does score 13 a game. 

The Lady Bear defense holds opponents to 34.4% shooting on the season, while UConn is shooting 55.3% from the field. If the Lady Bears hold UConn under 40%, look for Mulkey to come out the victor to even the series at 4-4. If not, the Huskies will remain the top team in the country and leaving Baylor with more tape to correct the flaws.

How To Watch:

ESPN 6PM CST

Keys To The Game:

Baylor: Guarding the three point line, staying out of foul trouble, pounding the paint on offense and defense

UConn: Guarding the paint, staying out of foul trouble, hitting the three, stopping Baylor breaks