JimBob
03-26-2008, 07:33 AM
Tiger 'D' will test Cowgirls
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/26/2008
For another couple of days, the Oklahoma State women can celebrate their surge to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen.
But once they arrive in Louisiana and begin preparation for Saturday's game, the scope of their next challenge should become evident.
The Cowgirls, now 27-7 after beating Florida State 73-72 in overtime Monday, are matched with LSU at the New Orleans Arena.
In scoring defense, LSU ranks No. 1 nationally, allowing only 50.0 points per game. Offensively, Oklahoma State ranks among national leaders, with a 76.3 scoring average.
In their bid to achieve a fifth consecutive Final Four appearance, the Tigers (29-5) are driven by the Southeastern Conference coach of the year (Van Chancellor), the SEC player of the year (6-foot-6 center Sylvia Fowles), an All-SEC first-team guard (Quianna Chaney) and a 5-3 senior guard, Erica White, who is described by Chancellor as being "the best defensive point guard on the ball in the country."
White undoubtedly will draw the assignment of shadowing 5-5 Andrea Riley, OSU's All-Big 12 point guard and leading scorer.
"Making a play on the defensive end of the floor, that's something we've hung our hat on here at LSU. That's something we're going to have to continue to do," White said following the Tigers' 68-49 NCAA second-round triumph over Marist on Monday.
"We pride ourselves on our defense. Then on the other end, if you have a layup, make the basket. We have (3-pointers), let's knock them down.
"As we continue to drive through the tournament, that's going to be our focus, just to make plays, especially on the defensive end."
With Fowles averaging 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, LSU is ranked sixth nationally and the No. 2 seed in the New Orleans Regional. OSU is 13th in the Associated Press poll and seeded third in the regional.
"This is a team that has a legitimate chance to win it all," OSU coach Kurt Budke said of LSU. "They've got one of the greatest players in the country in Sylvia Fowles. They've got (eight seniors)."
With seven-tenths of one second remaining in overtime Monday, Riley swished a free throw that lifted the Cowgirls past 11th-seeded Florida State. She finished with 21 points (her 22nd 20-point performance of the season) and collected a school-record NCAA Tournament total of six steals.
"It feels great to know that this program has excelled so much -- from 0-16 (OSU's Big 12 record two years ago) to 20-11 (OSU's record last season) to 27-7 (the Cowgirls' current mark)," Riley said. "That means we really have the will to win and we have a coaching staff that is outstanding. They recruited winners and we are competitive."
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LOOKING AHEAD: LSU
In Saturday’s NCAA Sweet Sixteen contest at the New Orleans Arena, Oklahoma State faces LSU. A look at LSU, ranked sixth nationally and seeded second in the regional:
With Monday’s 68-49 victory over Marist, LSU advanced to its sixth consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearance.
LSU (29-5) is attempting to make a fifth consecutive Final Four appearance.
The Tigers have never won a national title. Last year, LSU lost to Rutgers in the Final Four semifinals
.
E Against Marist, LSU 6-foot-6 center Sylvia Fowles posted her 84th career doubledouble, with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Fowles became the career rebounding leader (1,527) in Southeastern Conference history.
The previous record (1,525) was set by Kentucky’s Valerie Still in 1983.
Monday’s game was the school-record 141st in the career of Fowles.
LSU now is 34-17 in NCAA Tournament games. The Tigers are making their 10th consecutive NCAA appearance and their 18th overall.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/26/2008
For another couple of days, the Oklahoma State women can celebrate their surge to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen.
But once they arrive in Louisiana and begin preparation for Saturday's game, the scope of their next challenge should become evident.
The Cowgirls, now 27-7 after beating Florida State 73-72 in overtime Monday, are matched with LSU at the New Orleans Arena.
In scoring defense, LSU ranks No. 1 nationally, allowing only 50.0 points per game. Offensively, Oklahoma State ranks among national leaders, with a 76.3 scoring average.
In their bid to achieve a fifth consecutive Final Four appearance, the Tigers (29-5) are driven by the Southeastern Conference coach of the year (Van Chancellor), the SEC player of the year (6-foot-6 center Sylvia Fowles), an All-SEC first-team guard (Quianna Chaney) and a 5-3 senior guard, Erica White, who is described by Chancellor as being "the best defensive point guard on the ball in the country."
White undoubtedly will draw the assignment of shadowing 5-5 Andrea Riley, OSU's All-Big 12 point guard and leading scorer.
"Making a play on the defensive end of the floor, that's something we've hung our hat on here at LSU. That's something we're going to have to continue to do," White said following the Tigers' 68-49 NCAA second-round triumph over Marist on Monday.
"We pride ourselves on our defense. Then on the other end, if you have a layup, make the basket. We have (3-pointers), let's knock them down.
"As we continue to drive through the tournament, that's going to be our focus, just to make plays, especially on the defensive end."
With Fowles averaging 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, LSU is ranked sixth nationally and the No. 2 seed in the New Orleans Regional. OSU is 13th in the Associated Press poll and seeded third in the regional.
"This is a team that has a legitimate chance to win it all," OSU coach Kurt Budke said of LSU. "They've got one of the greatest players in the country in Sylvia Fowles. They've got (eight seniors)."
With seven-tenths of one second remaining in overtime Monday, Riley swished a free throw that lifted the Cowgirls past 11th-seeded Florida State. She finished with 21 points (her 22nd 20-point performance of the season) and collected a school-record NCAA Tournament total of six steals.
"It feels great to know that this program has excelled so much -- from 0-16 (OSU's Big 12 record two years ago) to 20-11 (OSU's record last season) to 27-7 (the Cowgirls' current mark)," Riley said. "That means we really have the will to win and we have a coaching staff that is outstanding. They recruited winners and we are competitive."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOOKING AHEAD: LSU
In Saturday’s NCAA Sweet Sixteen contest at the New Orleans Arena, Oklahoma State faces LSU. A look at LSU, ranked sixth nationally and seeded second in the regional:
With Monday’s 68-49 victory over Marist, LSU advanced to its sixth consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearance.
LSU (29-5) is attempting to make a fifth consecutive Final Four appearance.
The Tigers have never won a national title. Last year, LSU lost to Rutgers in the Final Four semifinals
.
E Against Marist, LSU 6-foot-6 center Sylvia Fowles posted her 84th career doubledouble, with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Fowles became the career rebounding leader (1,527) in Southeastern Conference history.
The previous record (1,525) was set by Kentucky’s Valerie Still in 1983.
Monday’s game was the school-record 141st in the career of Fowles.
LSU now is 34-17 in NCAA Tournament games. The Tigers are making their 10th consecutive NCAA appearance and their 18th overall.