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Home > SECWB News & More! > Our Staff & Contributors > LeAnne Harrington > Vanderbilt vs. Iowa State Preview
Vanderbilt vs. Iowa State Preview
by LeAnne Harrington, SECWB.com
Posted: November 25th, 2007 @ 1:01am
The Vanderbilt Commodores (#19 ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll, #25 AP), fresh off their 104-43 blowout of Belmont in the first round of their Thanksgiving Tournament, will host the Iowa State Cyclones in the championship game on Sun. Nov. 25. Vanderbilt, currently 4-1, will have their hands full against Iowa State, who moved to 3-0 after their first round defeat of Michigan by a score of 67-43. Iowa State is yet another opponent who made it to the 2007 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round and one of their best seasons ever, finishing 26-9. They return 10 letter winners and 3 starters from that squad, and will be playing for their 500th win in program history tomorrow.
The Iowa State Cyclones are one of the most balanced teams the Commodores have yet faced. Three different players have led them in scoring through their first three games, and four different players have led them on the boards (sophomore guard Denae Stuckey and senior forward Toccara Ross tied with 7 boards apiece against Pepperdine). The Cyclones are lethal from 3-point range, and have several different players doing the damage. Sophomore guard Alison Lacey hit nine 3-pointers and scored a career-high 35 points in Iowa State’s win over Michigan, and junior guard Heather Ezell was named the Big 12 Player of the Week Monday after she tied the Big 12 and Iowa State records for 3-pointers in a single game last Sunday, knocking down 10 in a 99-45 win over Sacramento State. In addition, Alison Lacey set a new career high with 10 assists against Pepperdine in her official debut as ISU’s starting point guard.
Vanderbilt is led by senior center Liz Sherwood, who is averaging 17 points a game and shooting at a lights-out pace of 83.3% from the field. Sherwood is also yanking down an average of 7 boards a game. Junior forward Christina Wirth is averaging 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while dishing an average of 3.2 assists. Wirth is connecting on 61.1% of her shots from the field, and 54.2% of her shots from behind the arc. Jen Risper continues to be the most balanced Commodore, getting it done at both ends of the court. This junior guard is averaging 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 3.2 steals, and is shooting 81.8% from the free-throw line.
Probable starters for Iowa State:
Nicky Wieben, 6’4” junior forward - 16 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Alison Lacey, 6’ sophomore point guard - 16 ppg, 3 rpg, 6 apg
Heather Ezell, 5’9” junior guard - 13.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.6 apg
Denae Stuckey, 5’8” sophomore guard - 5 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Toccara Ross, 5’11” senior forward - 5.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Probable starters for Vanderbilt:
Liz Sherwood, 6’4” senior center - 17 ppg, 7 rpg
Christina Wirth, 6’1” junior forward - 16.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.2 apg
Jen Risper, 5’9” junior guard - 9.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3.2 spg
Jence Rhoads, 5’11” freshman point guard - 4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4 apg
Lauren Lueders, 5’8” sophomore guard - 6.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg
My prediction is if the Cyclones start hitting the 3 early, the Commodores could be in trouble. If Vandy is forced to spread their defense way out beyond the arc, then it will open up the inside for their big girl on the blocks, and Wieben can do some damage down low. Defending the perimeter will be key, but Sherwood will have her hands full in the post. Vandy’s underclassmen have got to step it up and make some big plays, especially on defense; the 3 veterans can’t do it all. Vanderbilt seems to have found their groove at the line, connecting on 77.8% against Belmont. The Commodores must continue to hit their free throws and take care of the ball to pull out a win. I think this will be a close one.
Game time will be approximately 2 pm CST in Memorial Gym, and will follow the consolation game between Belmont and Michigan. Admission is free to both games, and live audio and live stats will be available for the Vanderbilt/Iowa State championship game.
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