Challenging.
That's how Lady Memphis Tiger's head coach Joye Lee-McNelisdescribes this weekend against Marquette today and No. 13 DePaulSunday. And it may be the largest understatement McNelis has madeall year.
"(We're) going up against Marquette, which we've alwaysstruggled against, and DePaul, which is ranked nationally," McNelissaid. "It's going to be a battle of styles. That's what it reallycomes down to in the end."
As the Lady Tigers' season winds down, the team finds itself inthe middle of a hot streak.
Memphis (17-6 overall, 7-3 in Conference USA) has won its lastsix games and has just four remaining before the C-USATournament.
"I'm excited," said Victoria Crawford, who leads the Lady Tigersin scoring with 15.8 points a game and is a candidate for the C-USASixth Man of the Year award. "It's almost certain that if we beatboth these teams we'll be in post-season play. It's alright to win17 games, but we can win more. The streak should carry into theweekend."
Marquette (16-6, 6-3) and Memphis are ranked fifth and sixth inconference standings, and this weekend could go a long way todetermining which team gets a first-round bye in the C-USATournament.
Adding more fuel to the fire, the Lady Tigers have lost againstthe Golden Eagles three of their past four meetings.
"The way they get their points is the same way we make ours --through transitions," said Crawford. "We're practicing transitiondefense to limit some of their points on the board. We're planningto put a lot of pressure on the ball."
The pressure's not only on the ball. The Lady Tigers may befeeling quite a bit of it themselves as they move into Chicago totake on the nationally-ranked DePaul Blue Demons in just twodays.
When facing a team like DePaul (20-3, 8-1), which is first inthe nation in both scoring (89.5) and in steals (15.1), ballcontrol will be pivotal. McNelis said the Tigers have improved to amore controlled pace as this season has progressed, but that itwill take more than just smart play to leave Chicago with awin.
"I think we've made some strides," said McNelis. "And I don'tthink we make as many turnovers. Winning against DePaul comes downto three points. We've got to eliminate second chances, keep themoff the glass and limit the rebounds. Altogether, we have to limittheir possession of the ball."
Khara Smith leads the DePaul attack, averaging 20.6 points and11.8 rebounds a game.
Crawford has an idea of how to deal with Smith, but it may beeasier said than done.
"Just take her out," said Crawford. "You've got to go at her.The post players just have to get on her and take her out of thegame. She can't score points if she's on the bench. This is goingto be a battle to the end."
Call it coach's optimism, but McNelis said the possibility of aweekend sweep is not impossible.
"We'd like to be 19-6 when we come home," she said. "Both teamsare definitely beatable. I feel good about it ,and I think the teamfeels good about it. I think we've been overachievers, and if wecontinue to work hard, this will be a special year."
| Forwards Raven Rogers (above) and VictoriaCrawford (right), along with the rest of the Lady Tigers, hope toput a dent in Marquette and DePaul this weekend. A vicory overMarquette could help in determining who gets a bye in the C-USATournament. Crawford leads the Lady Tigers in scoring and is acandidate for the C-USA Sixth Man of the Year award. Jennie Connersphotos |
