Miami Basketball Notebook: Hoyas are in Town
Dec. 7, 2010
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Katie Meier and the University of Miami women’s basketball team will face their most difficult non-conference test of the season tonight with No. 12 Georgetown visiting the BankUnited Center for a 7 p.m. tip.
Here are some storylines to watch for heading into the showdown between the `Canes (7-1) and the Hoyas (7-1).
Dish to Pass
While forward Morgan Stroman’s improvement (7.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 2009-10 to 16.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg in 2010-11) has been the biggest story for the `Canes through the first month of the season, the development of Riquna Williams as a distributor has been nearly as meaningful to the team’s success.
After averaging just 1.7 assists per game last year, Williams is dishing out an average of 3.3 per game this year.
“She is a completely different player this year…completely different player,” Meier said. “[Riquna] is definitely handling the ball a lot more, putting herself in a set-up position as the set-up guard instead of the scoring guard all the time.”
That’s not to say she isn’t doing what she does best – scoring. She leads the ACC and ranks 19th nationally in averaging 20.5 points per game (up from 19.6 a season ago). She is coming off a 24-point showing against Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday.
The numbers don’t stop there. Williams has improved across the board, and the statistics bear it out. Her rebounds are up (4.2 to 5.0), steals are up (1.7 to 2.8) and turnovers are down (2.5 to 1.5).
“It has been a huge development for us,” Meier said. “She is playing with a lot more energy on the defensive end. She is definitely in the best shape she has ever been in her life.”
Something’s Gotta Give
Miami comes into Tuesday night’s game averaging 85 points per game – the 10th-highest clip nationally – while Georgetown is holding its opponents to just 51.9 points per contest. Opponents are shooting just 34.1 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from three-point range against the Hoyas.
The difference in the game will likely come down to Georgetown’s ability to slow down a Miami offense that likes to get up and down the court.
“We don’t think we can just roll out there, free flow and score at will,” Meier said. “They are one of the best defensive teams in the country.”
Whether Miami has success in the open court remains to be seen, but there’s a strong likelihood that late in the game it will ultimately come down to who has more success in the half court.
“They are going to make us really execute our offensive plays,” guard Shenise Johnson said.
Paint Presence
Only one ACC player – Boston College’s Carolyn Swords – is currently averaging a double-double at 19.0 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. That might change before too long with Stroman and Johnson right there on the cusp of Swords in elite company.
Johnson is fourth in the conference in scoring (18.0) and second in rebounds (9.4) while Stroman is sixth in scoring (16.8) and third in rebounds (9.1). Both players have been all over the glass as of late, with Johnson averaging 11.3 boards and Stroman averaging 12.3 over Miami’s last three games. Against Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday, the duo combined for 31 of the Hurricanes’ 55 boards.
Biggest Test Yet
Tonight’s game might not have the same significance as playing Duke or North Carolina in February, but Meier knows just how important a win over a ranked non-conference opponent can be come March.
“We are going to see what we are made of and if we’ve prepared ourselves for this game,” head coach Katie Meier said. “Our confidence is high and their confidence has got to be very high.”
While both teams are 7-1, Georgetown boasts wins over Maryland, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and most recently Wake Forest this past weekend.
“We know who is coming into our gym,” Meier added. “They definitely have our attention.”
Season Tix
Season tickets for the University of Miami’s 2010-11 women’s basketball season are available for as low as $50. Tickets may be purchased online at HurricaneSports.com or by calling the UM Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
Single-game tickets are also available for $5 for adults and $3 for children. UM students receive free admission when presenting their valid Cane Card.
