|
Here's the SCAC Picks according to WGRE Sports Broadcaster, Dan Lucero.
Game 1: DePauw (#1 East) vs Southwestern (#4 West)
IN 2007-2008: DePauw 55, Southwestern 45 @ Southwestern, February 1
Remarkably, DePauw’s undefeated run through the SCAC marks the fourth time they’ve accomplished the feat, and the second time in three years. That’s no small feat in a conference like this one. The Tigers have set about defending their national championship with aplomb, pulling out some tough wins en route to a 14-0 mark in the conference. Pam Ruder’s Pirates gave the Tigers all they could handle in the lone meeting between these two teams this year. A scrappy bunch, Southwestern relies on tough defense, good fundamental play, and the scoring of Natasha Azizi and Beth Thomas underneath. DePauw has really found a rhythm down the stretch and has nine players contributing big minutes. Their depth will be a big factor for them, as it has been the last two years in this grueling tournament setting, and it will play a role in a first-round win.
THE PICK: DePauw 70, Southwestern 55
Game 2: Colorado College (#2 West) vs Centre (#3 East)
IN 2007-2008: Colorado College 73, Centre 56 @ Colorado College, January 20
Colorado College point guard Melanie Auguste is one of the best all-around players in the conference, and her statistics – 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game – place her among the most balanced performers in the country. She’s the straw that stirs the Tigers’ drink. The Centre program is starting to find its way back under coach Wendie Austin-Robinson. Chelsea Goodman gives them a top scoring threat, and the Colonels have more depth than they have had in years past. But what the Colonels don’t have is anyone who can hang with Auguste defensively. Whether scoring herself or setting up one of CC’s three other double-figure scorers off of dribble penetration, Auguste is a difference maker, and she’ll spark a Tiger victory.
THE PICK: Colorado College 65, Centre 56
Game 3: Trinity (#1 West) vs Sewanee (#4 East)
IN 2007-2008: Trinity 98, Sewanee 59 @ Sewanee, January 26
With DePauw’s national championship in 2007 and Oglethorpe’s rise to Top 25-caliber, Trinity’s gotten lost in the shuffle a bit in the SCAC. But Meghan Scholbe and Krista Prato-Mathews have combined to make the Texas Tigers as good as ever. The two of them comprise the best frontcourt duo in the conference. Sewanee deserves a lot of credit for earning their way into the SCAC Tournament with a win over Centre on the last day of the regular season. But they don’t have the post presence defensively to limit Trinity’s twin titans down low. This meeting won’t be as lopsided as the first one, particularly if Steffi Renninger gets going for Sewanee. But Trinity has the easiest route to the second round of any team in the tournament.
THE PICK: Trinity 86, Sewanee 61
Game 4: Oglethorpe (#2 East) vs Hendrix (#3 West)
IN 2007-2008: Oglethorpe 93, Hendrix 82 @ Hendrix, January 20
This will be a fun one. Both teams love to play up-tempo basketball, and the Petrels and Warriors are both candidates to push scores into the 90s on any given night. Christina Byler has had a monster year for the Warriors, and she’ll need to have a big performance to keep Hendrix close in this game. Oglethorpe has slipped in and out of the Top 25 this season, and they’ll be hungry to reach their second straight SCAC title game. I think a deeper Oglethorpe team will be the last team standing in this one. Look for Katie Kulavic to spark the Petrels to a wild and woolly win.
THE PICK: Oglethorpe 90, Hendrix 83
Game 5: DePauw vs Colorado College
IN 2007-2008: DePauw 70, Colorado College 63 @ Colorado College, January 18
CC stood toe-to-toe with the defending national champs in Colorado Springs earlier this season, taking a three-point halftime lead before DePauw came roaring back in the second half to earn a hard-fought win. This one should be another tough battle for both black-and-gold Tiger teams. DePauw’s Cassie Pruzin has been absolutely huge for the Old Gold down the stretch, and she’ll be a big factor in this game. I think the Indiana-based Tigers have too much in the post with Jenna Fernandez and Emily Marshall. They’ll control the lane on both ends and send DePauw to the SCAC title game – their sixth in six years.
THE PICK: DePauw 77, Colorado College 66
Game 6: Trinity vs Oglethorpe
IN 2007-2008: Oglethorpe 84, Trinity 73 @ Oglethorpe, January 25
Trinity has a pronounced post advantage in this basketball game. Meghan Scholbe and Krista Prato-Mathews should be able to have their way against the Petrels. But when these two teams met the first time around, Oglethorpe blanketed the Tigers, holding them to 2-for-19 shooting beyond the arc on their way to an 11-point win. Something tells me Trinity won’t be as deficient from ‘Triple City’ this time around, but I still don’t think that will be enough. Oglethorpe’s been terrific at dictating the tempo all season long and I think they’ll do so here, beating the Tigers in a fast-break contest and eking out a thrilling victory, with Katie Kulavic and Anna Findley hitting the big shots late.
THE PICK: Oglethorpe 81, Trinity 79
Championship: DePauw vs Oglethorpe
IN 2007-2008: DePauw 75, Oglethorpe 63 @ DePauw, January 6
DePauw 73, Oglethorpe 70 @ DePauw, February 24
The first two matchups were so good – why not try it again? Oglethorpe must feel like the Tigers are the ones that got away after DePauw came from behind for a three-point win in Atlanta this past Sunday. The Petrels also know that beating DePauw and winning an SCAC title is the next big step they must take as a program. But the bulls-eye on DePauw’s back has been there all year long, and time and again they’ve responded by playing more poised and confident in the late stages of tight games. This one will surely be close late, but just as was the case the first two times, DePauw’s championship experience will pay off.
THE PICK: DePauw 74, Oglethorpe 69
|
