The University of Arizona women’s basketball team (10-11, 1-9 in Big 12) looks to break their losing streak on Wednesday, Feb. 4 as they face Kansas State University (12-11, 5-5 in Big 12) in McKale Center. Arizona has lost six straight games, and only one of those losses has been by 3 points or less.
Arizona key players
Arizona is led by grad student guard Noelani Cornfield. Cornfield averages 13.2 points, 7.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game and is at her most dangerous when she is making plays to aid her teammates’ shots. Look for Cornfield to make those key passes and also be the leader of the offense.
Next up for the Wildcats is junior guard Sumayah Sugapong as she averages 9.1 points, 2.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. Sugapong is the main catalyst for getting the offense going in terms of their scoring and creating a rhythm, as she scored the first 4 points for the offense in the last game. Sugapong will look to do the same thing going forward in this game.
Kansas key players
For Kansas State, their leader is junior guard Taryn Sides. Sides puts up 13.2 points, 3.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. Sides will be looking to stretch the floor and slow down the game, as she leads the team in both 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage.
Coming up after Sides is junior guard Brandie Harrod who averages 5.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Harrod will be looking to get the rebounds for her team, as she leads her team in highest rebound average per game.
Keys to victory
The Wildcats have to get their shooters, such as sophomore guard Kamryn Kitchen and Sugapong, who lead the Wildcats in 3-point shooting among active players. The Wildcats will also have to do a better job at discipline on defense, as they average around 21.3 fouls per game. That number has to drop if they want to have a chance to keep winning as they move forward in conference play. The Wildcats also have limited turnovers, as they are averaging 15.5 a game.
Kansas State’s success starts with offensive efficiency, as the Wildcats hold the edge in both field goal and 3-point shooting. Knocking down open shots, especially from deep, will help them control the pace. Defensively, applying pressure and forcing turnovers is key with Kansas State averaging more steals and owning a positive turnover margin. Finally, rebounding will matter in a tight matchup, and the Wildcats must finish possessions and limit second-chance opportunities to give themselves the best chance to win.
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