SEATTLE, Wash. –
On Thursday, November 17th at 5 p.m, the Washington Huskies women’s basketball program will play their third game of the 2022-23 regular season against the UC-Irvine Anteaters at Hec Ed.
The game will be streamed on the Washington Live Stream (GoHuskies.com/Live).
Head coach Tina Langley starts her second season at the helm of the Washington Women’s Basketball program with two straight victories to begin the 2022-23 season.
Expect the Huskies to look to assert their dominance inside against the Anteaters on offense and defense.
UW Offense
Offensively, Washington is shooting 60.2% on two-pointers, which is in the top 3% of all Division One teams.
However, most of UW’s points have come with 4.5 feet of the rim, where they are shooting 66.7% (42 for 63).
In addition, the Huskies are averaging 7.5 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks in the Top 9% nationwide.
Shot Chart courtesy of CBB Analytics.
Deep diving further, the Huskies next highest shooting percentage is mid-range shots outside the lane (44.4%); followed by corner three-pointers (41.7%); inside the lane farther than 4.5 feet (36.4%); and finally, Washington only shoots 28.6% from three-point range (14 for 49).
UW Defense
Defensively, the Washington Huskies are limiting opponents to only 29 two-point attempts per game, which ranks in the Top 3% nationwide.
Likewise, the Huskies are averaging 18.5 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks in the Top 4% nationwide.
The Huskies are a dominant and stifling defensive team inside, particularly defending inside-the-paint two-pointers (outside of 4.5 feet, not at the rim) — where UW opponents are only generating 11.8% of their shot attempts; as well as, defending mid-range two-pointers where opponents are only generating 0.9% of their shot attempts.
UC-Irvine
The UC-Irvine Anteaters were picked to finish No. 6 in the conference’s Preseason Big West Coaches and Media Polls.
UC-Irvine is led by their 7th year head coach Tamara Inoue.
An interesting sidenote is her staff includes assistant coach Derek Wynn – – a former Washington WBB assistant coach under the former UW head coach Jody Wynn, his wife.
On the court, the Anteaters are led by junior point guard Diaba Konate — a transfer from Idaho State where she averaged 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals over three seasons.
Konate only played in one game this season, against Sacramento State, but that one game was spectacular.
Diaba Konate hit the game-winning shot to cap a comeback victory over Sacramento State.
FOR THE WIN!!!#TogetherWeZot | #StillHungry pic.twitter.com/ghaT7yVrjZ
— UCI Women's Basketball (@UCIwbb) November 12, 2022
Konate scored 16 points on 40% shooting overall; shot 50% on two-pointers; 75% from within 4.5 feet of the rim (6 for 8); and 50% in the paint outside of 4.5 feet (2 for 4); as well as shooting 80% from the free throw line (4 for 5).
Diaba Konate dribble-drives past defenders to get the shots she wants — the Huskies defenders must cut off her penetration to contain her.
She also tallied five rebounds, three steals, and one assist with zero turnovers in 36 minutes.
Shot Chart courtesy of CBB Analytics.
Senior Naomi Hunt is the Anteaters’ top returner after averaging 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists last season.
Hunt is a mid-range specialist and very heady player that will be attacking Washington’s defenders all night. She is most proficient scoring outside of the lane within the mid-range area on either side of the floor, on 44.4% shooting — 13% above NCAA Division 1 average from that range.
Naomi Hunt ranks in the Top 20% nationwide in points per game (17.0); field goals made/game (6.0); field goals attempted/game (20.0); two-pointers made per game (4.0), three pointers made per game (2.0); two-point attempts/game (10.0); three-point attempts/game (10.0); offensive rebounds/game (3.0); and steals/game (2.0).
Shot Chart courtesy of CBB Analytics.
HUNT TIED THE GAME WITH A 2 POINTER😈 pic.twitter.com/VbruEyC3NE
— UCI Women's Basketball (@UCIwbb) November 12, 2022
Their third biggest offensive threat is Nikki Tom, who averages 12.0 points per game.
Although Tom’s stats demonstrate efficient shooting — 66.7% on two-pointers (4 for 6) and 42.9% on three-pointers (3 for 7); Tom is far from a high volume scorer.
Shot Chart courtesy of CBB Analytics
Other than (major offensive threats) Diaba Konate and Naomi Hunt, and (medium offensive threat) individual Anteaters do not pose much danger to the Huskies’ defense.
UC-Irvine only averages 60 points per game, which ranks in the bottom 35% of all Division One teams.
By far, UC-Irvine does most of its scoring inside the paint, hitting 65.1% of their shots within 4.5 feet of the rim (25 for 43) and 33.3% (8 for 24) of their shots in the lane farther than 4.5 feet.
Shot Chart courtesy of CBB Analytics.
Although the Anteaters average 38.5% on corner three-pointers they have only made five threes this season (5 for 13).
Most likely, the Huskies will need to prioritize finding and containing Diaba Konate to secure the victory tonight — she is the wildcard.
If the Dawgs contain Konate, dominate the boards and push the pace offensively, it should be a decisive win over the Anteaters.
GO DAWGS!
Stats courtesy of HerHoopStats and CBB Analytics