ALASKA-ANCHORAGE PREVIEW

The semifinal matchup against Alaska-Anchorage will test the depth of the Mavericks’ bench. The Seawolves are ranked No. 2 in the nation and defeated the Syracuse Orangeman women’s team early this year, not exactly something you see out of every DII basketball program.

The big concern for the Mavericks on the evening will be height. Center Rebecca Kielpinski is 6-foot-2 and is second on the Seawolves in scoring (10.2) and first in rebounds (8.2) per game.

The Mavericks will put Alex Andrews on Kielpinksi , but that still leaves Seawolves forward Ruby Williams towering over the small MSU lineup. Joanne Noreen would be the likely choice to guard her, but Mari Korton could see more action. Korton struggled in Tuesday’s game and looked a little nervous on the big stage. Normally this would not be a problem for MSU, but with Liz Trauger’s injury it puts the Mavericks at a severe disadvantage in the height department.

One thing the Mavericks do have which will play to their favor will be their speed. Alaska-Anchorage is not a very quick team and panics when getting pressured. This will play into the hands of defenders like Noreen, Tiffany Moe and Andrea Walsh. The only thing is, Alaska-Anchorage beat a very fast Clayton State team Tuesday night, a team that plays a lot like MSU.

There also needs to be more production from Heather Johnson. Chances are that the Mavericks will be unable to feed the ball inside to Andrews or Korton, so they will need to make sure their shooters are on. If Johnson attempts to drive inside like she did Tuesday, Kielpinski and Williams will make sure she doesn’t get too far.

Free throws will also be a big concern. The Mavericks shot a season-low 42 percent from the line in Tuesday’s game. Iif MSU does it again, it will likely be on a flight home Thursday.

Bottom Line: If the Mavericks are able to play their style of play, like they have all season they should be alright. The size issue is a concern, but as long as Andrews doesn’t get into foul trouble she should be able to at least slow Kielpinski and Willaims down.