“Everything is 0-0,” said Shyanne Sellers Sunday night after the announcement. Maryland starts their 14th straight run of the NCAA Tournament.
The tournament run starts tonight, and with one loss the season is over. If we win it is on to the next round of 32. The last few weeks have shown that the Terps are starting to click on all cylinders. Tonight’s game will not be an easy victory for Maryland, and Iowa State who had their share of victories is a ready team.
The Keys to Victory
Know thy Opponent
Iowa State is led by head coach Bill Fennelly, Iowa State has been a model of consistency with 5 straight tournament appearances. They had a good run in the Big 12 tournament before losing to No. 5 Texas in the championship run.
The contributions by freshmen Audi Crooks and Addy Brown should be praised but they are prepared for defensively. Crooks was the first Cyclone freshman to earn All-American honors. She also leads the team in points with 19 a game and is second in rebounding. The last four games are something to not sneeze at as she has 20 points or more in those games.
Another thing to know about the Cyclones is their rebounding and size but also a perimeter team that shoots over 50% from the field which is something the Terps will have to combat if they want to advance. The team dominates in that category. I would suspect a bigger lineup for Maryland to combat that.
However, the Cyclones are not perfect, for a team that has size they are not the best defensively. As a team, Iowa states have allowed the third most points within the Big 12 conference, and they also give up three-point shooting as well. Lastly, the Cyclones struggle to create turnovers as a defense which ranks them second to last.
Maryland will lose if Maryland lets it happen
For Maryland, it is been a storyline. They have played some great games but down the stretch, we have seen blown leads and lopsided second-half play at times but also this team knows what they have to do. The Big Ten Tournament showed a team that is peaking at the right time.
Finals Keys
Limit the foul trouble
A strong forty minutes
Contain Audi Crooks make the others beat you!
Allie Kubek, Emily Fisher, and Faith Masonius are the keys to success
Iowa State has similarities to Illinois
Friday’s game will be on ESPN at 7:30 p.m.
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