The Washington Huskies(4-0) will play their fifth game of the 2022-23 regular season against the Fordham Rams (3-2) — at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic on Friday, November 25th at 1:30 p.m. on the BeTheBeast Livestream.
Stop the Rams Offensive Fireworks
The Rams offense is clicking on all cylinders, coming off a 95-point outburst vs. Wagner — where they shot 43.8% from three-point range and assisted on 73.7% of their made baskets.
Highlights from our 95-point outburst this afternoon!#TougherTogether pic.twitter.com/we1QA0M656
— Fordham WBB (@FordhamWBB) November 20, 2022
For the season, Fordham is now shooting 63.4% at the rim, 48% on mid-range shots and 33.9% on threes.
Expect Fordham to push ball up court with their experienced and speedy guards testing Washington’s transition defense at every opportunity.
The Huskies must not only stop the ball but matchup with Fordham’s three point shooters in the initial fastbreak and secondary break.
The Huskies defense has struggled with defending three-point shots early in the clock, but they cannot afford to be slow defending the Rams three-point shooters.
In half-court offense, Washington’s individual player-to-player defense will be tested as the Rams attack with dribble-drives and free-flowing player movement.
Fordham’s three 1000-point scorers lead the offensive attack, i.e., Anna DeWolfe, Asiah Dingle and Kaitlyn Downey account for 61.2% of Fordham’s scoring on 47.4% shooting.
#2 Anna DeWolfe is a 5’8 senior guard that is an excellent scorer from everywhere on the court.
DeWolfe averages 16.4 points on 47.1% shooting overall, 51.4% on two-pointers, 42.4% on three-pointers; as well as, 64.3% around the rim.
Graduate transfer #3 Asiah Dingle is a 5’5″ speedy guard who is a huge threat offensively and defensively.
She averages 17 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 4.0 assists per game.
The Huskies must defensively neutralize Dingle’s offense, as well as limit the Rams’ forced turnovers to fastbreak opportunities to avoid a potential upset loss.
#24 Kaitlyn Downey is a 6’1″ dangerous all-around player that averages 15.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game — basically, the Rams’ version of Haley Van Dyke.
Downey has already posted four double-doubles (rebounds and points) this season.
A Van Dyke – Downey matchup may be in the cards and the Huskies need Haley to win that matchup decisively.
Dawgs Need Offensive Rebounds
The Huskies will need to control the boards against the Rams, who rank in the top 25% in defensive rebounding nationwide.
In particular, if Washington can have a strong offensive rebounding performance it should limit the Fordham’s fastbreak opportunities.
If the Huskies can dominate the boards, while containing Fordham’s “Big Three” it should be a decisive victory for Washington.
GO DAWGS!