2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Basketball: Providence exploits post in win over Minutewomen
Nick O'Malley, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Sports
As an undersized unit, the Massachusetts women's basketball team employs a great deal of speed in its lineups. However, the team still relies on the few post players they have to carry the team inside.
And when that foundation fails, so do the Minutewomen.
In its 75-63 loss to Providence, UMass had its fair share of problems. However, much of the team's struggles came inside, where the Minutewomen's post play succumbed to that of a larger Friar team.
UMass, however, blamed their lack of success inside on its mental mistakes, not their physical stature.
"I don't think it was a matter of their size, I just think we weren't ready to play," said senior Stefanie Gerardot. "We played bigger and stronger in Colorado and Minnesota and we played - for the most part - pretty well against them. Size isn't the issue, it's our mentality that's the issue."
Size was discounted as a disadvantage for the Minutewomen when it became apparent that all of Providence's players, regardless of size, were making contributions inside. The Friars' Chelsea Marandola, a 5-foot-8 guard, had a game-high 10 rebounds, eight of which came in the first half.
Sophomore Teya Wright, the team's main inside presence, was limited to two points and only one offensive rebound as she was a non-factor offensively. Wright was 1-of-9 from the field and did not attempt a free throw.
Meanwhile, the team's other inside threats, sophomore Valerie Avebe and freshman Nicole Jones, failed to step up in Wright's wake. Avebe played only six minutes and recorded one rebound and didn't take a shot. Jones, meanwhile, put up similar numbers as Wright; six rebounds and two points.
"We didn't have any post presence at all," UMass coach Marnie Dacko said. "We've got to keep our posts in the game, we can't afford to have them get into foul trouble, and that hurt us."
Against a team that had them beat in size, the Minutewomen utilized the dribble-drive offense to blow past their opponents and drive straight to the hoop. The problem was, once they got there, they couldn't make the shots.
And when that foundation fails, so do the Minutewomen.
In its 75-63 loss to Providence, UMass had its fair share of problems. However, much of the team's struggles came inside, where the Minutewomen's post play succumbed to that of a larger Friar team.
UMass, however, blamed their lack of success inside on its mental mistakes, not their physical stature.
"I don't think it was a matter of their size, I just think we weren't ready to play," said senior Stefanie Gerardot. "We played bigger and stronger in Colorado and Minnesota and we played - for the most part - pretty well against them. Size isn't the issue, it's our mentality that's the issue."
Size was discounted as a disadvantage for the Minutewomen when it became apparent that all of Providence's players, regardless of size, were making contributions inside. The Friars' Chelsea Marandola, a 5-foot-8 guard, had a game-high 10 rebounds, eight of which came in the first half.
Sophomore Teya Wright, the team's main inside presence, was limited to two points and only one offensive rebound as she was a non-factor offensively. Wright was 1-of-9 from the field and did not attempt a free throw.
Meanwhile, the team's other inside threats, sophomore Valerie Avebe and freshman Nicole Jones, failed to step up in Wright's wake. Avebe played only six minutes and recorded one rebound and didn't take a shot. Jones, meanwhile, put up similar numbers as Wright; six rebounds and two points.
"We didn't have any post presence at all," UMass coach Marnie Dacko said. "We've got to keep our posts in the game, we can't afford to have them get into foul trouble, and that hurt us."
Against a team that had them beat in size, the Minutewomen utilized the dribble-drive offense to blow past their opponents and drive straight to the hoop. The problem was, once they got there, they couldn't make the shots.
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