Pacific University Preview – Mirror Image or Fool’s Gold?
Pacific’s first game of the season was a blowout victory, 87-47, over Stanislaus State.
And Pacific demonstrated nearly as efficient an offense in their first game as the Huskies.
UW HUSKIES vs Seattle PACIFIC TIGERS vs. Stanislaus St.
52.9% shooting overall 51.4% shooting overall
37% from three-point range. 30.8% from three-point range
62.8% from two-point range 56.1% from two-point range
69.2% at the rim (4.5 feet) 73.5%at the rim (4.5 feet)
46.3% points scored in the paint 62.1% points scored in the paint
49.1% points allowed in paint 34% points allowed in paint
Key to Game: Pacific’s offense will test the Huskies interior defense.
Last game, in its blowout victory, Pacific scored 62% of its 87 points in the paint; and 73.5% of its points within 4.5 feet of the rim.
This is concerning because Washington’s interior defense was the one flaw demonstrated in their blowout victory over Seattle U.
As we noted in our game recap,
Offensively, similar to Washington, the Pacific Tigers are featuring a guard-heavy lineup — that recorded 30 assists in their first game (on 36 made baskets).
Furthermore, the Tigers also demonstrated depth and a balanced scoring attack as every player on Pacific’s roster scored and four players scored in double figures:
6’1″ senior forward Elizabeth Elliott scored 14 points to go along with seven rebounds;
6’0″ junior guard Sydney Ward added 12 points;
5’11” sophomore guard Nyah Lowery had 11 points;
and 6’3″ sophomore wing Marina Radocaj added 10 points.
Pacific also features experienced leadership at point guard: both 5’9″ senior Anaya James and 5’9″ graduate student Liz Smith tallied eight assists in their first game and could be a major headache for Washington, if they aren’t focused defensively.
However, Pacific’s most glaring roster weakness is a lack of high level bigs that can control and dominate the paint — unlike the Huskies with 6’4″ Dalayah Daniels, 6’3″ Tayra Eke, 6’3″ Brenna McDonald and 6’6″ Olivia Anderson.
Expect the Washington Huskies bigs to wear down the smaller frontcourt of Pacific, both defensively and offensively.
To secure the victory over Pacific, the UW Huskies will need to:
(1) Stop Pacific’s guards dribble penetration into the Huskies defense;
(2) contest and disrupt Pacific’s inside-the-paint scoring and limit their second chance opportunities with their significant frontcourt height advantage;
(3) force turnovers and push tempo to score in transition and wear down Pacific with the depth of quality guard play; and
(4) efficiently execute the Huskies offense by limiting turnovers to 10 or less.
This matchup has the potential to be trap game, i.e., if the Washington Huskies are not focused defensively, this may be a close game that could result in an upset loss to Pacific.
However, if the Dawgs come out focused defensively, expect the Huskies to pull away down the stretch with a 10 to 15 point win.
Huskies Win Probability: 80%
GO DAWGS!
Pacific University Preview – Mirror Image or Fool’s Gold?