Got to re-watch their 93-52 win over Bakersfield on Monday. I chalk most of the scoring margin to Bakersfield being a bad team, and a first year head coach. Nothing CSUB did impressed me and GCU capitalized.
GCU played man defense and will press the point guard all the time. They want to double team immediately crossing the half-court line if they can push us to the sideline. This created a lot of rushed passes, and made Bakersfield's offense very uncomfortable. However, the downside to the half-court trap is you're constantly watching the ball. Off ball screens/movement, back door cuts, etc. will be open. Dribble penetration will collapse their defense and leave one (if not more) wide open on the perimeter -- Bakersfield could not buy a 3 (0/17) and they had many open looks.
GCU is relatively small compared to MTSU. Graduate post Laura Erikstrup (#20) is 6'2" and works in the low block. Her twin, Sydney Erikstrup (#11) is 6'1", similar style, but can step out and shoot a 3 (40% on 70 attempts LY). This team in general isn't known for their 3 point threat, but Oklahoma State transfer, Senior PG Ale'jah Douglas (#3, 5'6") had herself an opener (11 points, 3/4 from 3). The rest of their offense works from the perimeter and tries to dribble penetrate with 4 out. Trinity San Antonio (#23, 5'10") is their biggest threat (WAC Preseason POY) after leading her team with 11.5 ppg in '23-'24, she gets down hill and to the rim well. She has good vision because she draws a lot of attention and averaged 3.5 apg with a 1.25 A/TO. Graduate SF Tiarra Brown (#24) plays bigger than her 5'9" frame would appear and can score inside the paint. This team's offense thrives on transition buckets created by their defense. Limiting the turnovers in the backcourt will force this team to run a half court offense which I wasn't particularly impressed by versus Bakersfield.
GCU obviously has a recipe for beating MTSU as they did last year. We struggled with 36% FG. Wheeler and Gregory shot a combined 4/17 from deep. Despite winning the rebounding battle 41-27, giving GCU 20 points off 16 turnovers is the biggest reason we lost last December. I think if they can win the turnover battle this year, MTSU will be fine. I also expect a guard to have herself a game from deep. This may be Jalynn's breakout game or even Davis if she gets more minutes. I also expect the Boldyreva/Arike combo to combine for over 25 pts and 25 reb.
