OUR GAME ON SUNDAY AGAINST MISSOURI STATE WILL IN NO WAY RESEMBLE OUR STRUGGLE WITH THEM IN 2019.

 

The 5th seeded Missouri State Lady Bears have faced two double digit seeded opponents thus far in the NCAA Tournament. In one of the biggest upsets in tournament history, thirteenth seeded Wright State derailed the 4th seeded Arkansas Razorbacks in the first round last weekend. And Missouri State beat twelfth seeded UC Davis after a considerable battle. 

In round two the Lady Bears dispatched the Wright State Lady Raiders with relative ease 64 to 39. I don't get it. 

I was genuinely concerned about Stanford meeting the Razorbacks in the Sweet Sixteen. They seemed a thoroughly battle-tested group after their rugged SEC conference schedule, plus their pre-season wins over Baylor and UConn. And then to fold like they did against a thirteenth seeded mid-major - is beyond shocking. Destiny Slocum transferred from Oregon State to Arkansas to make a run at the National Championship. Dungee, Slocum, Ramirez, and Daniels averaged a total of 64 points for the season. Against the Raiders they put up a total of 49 (Dungee had 27, which means the other three scored 22 points.) They got out-rebounded 44 to 30. That seems way beyond just an off night. Could you underestimate a fired-up tournament team that completely? If I were Mike Neighbors, their coach, I would sure wonder.

But now, back to Missouri State. They're basically the same team we met in the 2019 Sweet Sixteen. They're a bunch of juniors and seniors who play hard and rebound. Elle Ruffridge is a 5'-3" senior who scored twenty - double her season average - in their defeat of Wright State. She hit five threes. In 2019, we struggled through the whole game and couldn't hit the side of a barn - to use an old Missouri idiom. Kiana was 0 for 11 from three - to cite one of many such statistics. 

Their leading scorer is Brice Calip - number 11 in the above photo - and she averages 14 points and 5 rebounds per game. Jasmine Franklin (to her right in the photo) is a 6'-1" player who averages 12 points and 10 rebounds. She resembles a shorter Natasha Mack. Good lift and quick off the floor. 

We need to take care of business. To hell with our off-night two years ago. This is now - and we need to play our best game on Sunday. Full of energy and awesome defense. Elle meet Anna. Brice meet Lexie. And Jasmine - this is Cameron. Let's make a statement!

GO CARDINAL!!