Blue and Gold.com Overview
Blue and Gold.com Overview
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Stanford Cardinal Overview
This is
all that needs to be known about the Cardinal: It handed No. 1 UConn its lone defeat (88-86 in overtime). Granted, it came way back on Nov. 17, but any victory against that dynasty is epic. A win over the Huskies at any time provides a confidence factor that anyone else can be beat.
The Cardinal in the past was known for strong post play, but
this year it plays much more of a perimeter game, generally with four out and one in, while Notre Dame has a steady diet of two bigs in the lineup.
"Tara is a really, really outstanding coach and she is someone that is always wanting to learn and do things differently," McGraw said. "She spent a lot of time [last] summer talking to different coaches in the NBA, and the college game, and came up with a new style. They had run the triangle for years and decided it was time to run a drive and kick. A little more penetration with the guards because they have great guard play. Their team has adjusted to it really well and at this point of the season they're very comfortable in it."
Pacing the attack are a
pair of 5-7 guards, sophomore Lili Thompson and senior Amber Orrange (a former high school teammate of Turner), who average 13.6 and 13.3 points per game, respectively. Senior Bonnie Samuelson is third in scoring with a 9.4 average and one of the top three three-point shooters in school history with 76 this year at a .429 clip. She also provides length along the perimeter with her 6-3 frame.
Stanford ranks eighth nationally in three-point field goal percentage (.380) and nearly 30 percent of its points have come from beyond the arc, its highest ratio since 2003-04.
The leader on the backboards is 6-3 freshman Kaylee Johnson, who averages 9.8 rebounds per game.
Outlook
Stanford does not possess the firepower on offense with its 69.5 scoring average that Notre Dame does (81.1), so it
will likely want to slow the tempo against an Irish defense that has been overshadowed.
If Stanford is effective from three-point range, an upset will be in the making. Any team that can vanquish UConn has to be respected to the utmost.
After an off game against DePaul,
look for Loyd to shine without having to force the issue too much because of improved teamwork and unselfish play. Both the Irish men's and women's team right now have a special mojo going.
Prediction: Notre Dame 75, Stanford 66