WBIT Preview: UW WBB Huskies Host Georgetown on Thurs. 3/21 @ 7PM

For the Washington Huskies, the first round of the inaugural 2024 WBIT Women’s Basketball Tournament starts at HecEd on Thursday, March 21st @ 7PM versus the Georgetown Hoyas,

The Washington Huskies (16-14 overall, 6-12 PAC) face the Georgetown Hoyas (22-11 overall, 9-9 PAC) on Thursday, March 21st @ 7PM.

The video broadcast of the matchup between the Huskies and Hoyas will be streaming on ESPN+; as well as, streaming audio at LISTEN TO HUSKIES RADIO CALL.

In their last game before facing Washington, Georgetown lost to UConn , 78-42 on the road. The Hoyas hold a 6-1 record over their final seven games.

BOTH TEAMS PERFORMANCE OVER LAST FIVE GAMES

Georgetown Offense

Over the last five games, the Georgetown Hoyas offense averages 55.6 points per game; while the Huskies defense is holding opponents to 58.0 points per game.

Georgetown has shown average three-point accuracy with 30.5% accuracy from beyond the arc.

However, Georgetown is only averaging 15.8 three-point attempts per game (Bottom 20% nationally).

Over the last five games, the Huskies are holding opponents to 30.3% shooting from three-point range (Top 39% nationwide).

The Georgetown Hoyas make 44.1% of their two-point attempts.

Kelsey Ransom, a 5’10” senior guard, is the only Hoya averaging double figures over the last five games and is their leading scorer at 13.6 points per game; and also leads the team in steals (4.3) and assists (2.2).

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Ransom shoots ( a very poor) 24% from three-point range and only makes 41.8% of her two pointers, so she is an inefficient volume scorer.

However, Ransom excels at scoring at the rim — shooting 58.9% within 4.5 feet of the rim.

Graceann Bennett, a 6’3″ graduate forward, is the second leading scorer at 7.2 points per game; and is Georgetown’s team-leading rebounder at 7.2 rebounds.

Bennett is shooting 40% on corner threes with very limited attempts (2 for 5).

However, she makes 53.4% of her two-point attempts overall, including an excellent 65.2% at the rim.

Brianna Scott, a 6’4″ junior forward, is the third leading scorer at 9.6 points per game; and Georgetown’s second-leading rebounder at 5.9 rebounds.

Scott makes a scorching 60.7% of her two-point attempts overall, including an excellent 64.6% at the rim.

Scott is also shooting 75% on corner threes with very limited attempts (3 for 4).

Victoria Rivera, a 6’0″ sophomore guard, is the fourth leading scorer at 6.4 points per game.

Rivera shoots ( a mediocre) 29.7% from three-point range and only makes 37.3% of her two pointers, so she is an inefficient volume scorer.

Like Ransom, Rivera excels at scoring at the rim — shooting 58.3% within 4.5 feet of the rim.

Alex Cowan , 5’7″ graduate guard, is the fifth leading scorer at 6.0 points per game.

Cowan is primarily a threat shooting corner three-pointers at 38.2% accuracy (13 for 34).

Overall, Cowan makes 32.2% of her three-point attempts (38 for 118).

Washington Defense

The Washington Huskies will need to disrupt the Georgetown offense by playing stifling perimeter defense to:

(1) cutting off the Hoyas’ dribble-drive lane penetration, particularly by guards Ransom and Rivera;

(2) tightly contest Georgetown’s corner three-point shots; and
(3) play good transition defense to prevent easy scores.

The Dawgs will also need to play tenacious defense “in the paint” against Georgetown’s primary inside scorers, 6’3″ Graceann Bennett and 6’4″ Brianna Scott,by denying them position inside and denying the entry pass.

Over the last five games, half of Georgetown’s offense came from inside-the-paint (50.4% – Top 12% nationally); so the Huskies must contest all shots in the and around the lane.

The Dawgs average 5.0 blocks per game over the last five games — which ranks among the Top 5% of Division One schools nationally.

More generally, the Huskies defense must also dominate and control the inside by remaining active and physical on the boards.

Washington averages only 24.8 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks exactly in the middle (50th percentile) among Division One schools nationally.

Meanwhile, the Hoyas average 11.4 offensive rebounds per game, ranking in the Top 45% nationally.

Washington defenders must limit the Hoyas second chance opportunities with strong defensive rebounding.

Washington Offense

Over the last five games, the Washington Huskies offense averages 61.8 points per game.

Over the last five games, the Huskies are currently averaging 35.4% accuracy from three-point range.

Over the last five games, UW has six players shooting 31.2% or better from beyond the arc:

Chloe Briggs (36.8%);

Lauren Schwartz (36.4%);

Teagan Brown (34.6%);

Elle Ladine ( 33.3%);

Jayda Noble (31.8%); and

Hannah Stines (31.2%).

If the Dawgs continue to shoot this well from the three-point range they should make win easily over the Hoyas.

Washington shoots 51.9% from mid-range (but is not a volume mid-range offense); UW is only shooting 49.2% overall on two-point attempts overall.

UW is struggling a bit at close range — 50% within 4.5 feet of the rim; and 45.8% farther out in the lane.

Overall, 53.4% of the UW Huskies made shots are the result of their 14.4 assists per game.

Prediction: Huskies win by 7 points.

To beat the Georgetown Hoyas and advance to the second round of the WBIT, the Huskies defense must control the lane penetration of Georgetown guards Kelsey Ransom and Victoria Rivera; as well as, limit their primary inside scorers 6’3″ Graceann Bennett and 6’4″ Brianna Scott.

Also, Washington’s offense must be effective from three-point range; while generating 35 points or more inside-the-paint.

The Washington Huskies should win this game.

GO DAWGS!