By Jordan Katz
The Quinnipiac Women’s basketball squad begins its quest toward a second NCAA Tournament berth this afternoon in its preseason WNIT game versus the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
The Bobcats enter the 2013-14 season coming off a remarkable final season in the Northeast Conference in which they went 20-0 in-conference and won 30 games. Quinnipiac lost two seniors to graduation, Lisa Lebak and Felicia Barron, however the Bobcats return a number of players including two players picked for the preseason MAAC second team, Jasmine Martin (12.9 ppg last season) and Brittany McQuain (11.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg last season).
The Aggies won 22 games last season, but fell short of the NCAA Tournament and lost to James Madison in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament. The Aggies lost JaQuayla Berry to graduation, but return a number of key players from last season. Senior guard Tracy King averaged more than 10 points per game last season and redshirt sophomore Eboni Ross was MEAC Rookie of the Year last year.
Keys for Quinnipiac
- The Bobcats shoot the three well. The Aggies do a terrific job of controlling the pace and controlling the glass. Quinnipiac will have to shoot the three well to stretch the Aggies defense.
- They get out in transition. Again, pace is extremely important in this game. If the Bobcats can force the Aggies to run for 40 minutes and play to their pace, they have a good chance to advance to play Louisville in the second round.
Keys for North Carolina A&T
- They keep the pace slow. The Aggies have a size advantage in this game and they have to exploit that. The Bobcats excel in fast pace games, so the Aggies will have to keep the game slow.
- They limit turnovers. The Bobcats were terrific last season in forcing turnovers (first in turnover margin, 10th in assist to turnover ratio), so it is imperative the Aggies limit their turnovers.
Matchup to Watch: Brittany McQuain vs. Eboni Ross
- McQuain was streaky last season for the Bobcats. Some nights she could not miss and dominated the glass, and some nights she was nowhere to be found. Going up against the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year, she will have to play well for the Bobcats this afternoon.
(Photo by John Hassett)
