The Norfolk State Spartans are again in postseason play in March after claiming their second consecutive MEAC Event crown and the NCAA Event computerized bid that accompanies it.
Awaiting them within the first spherical of the Huge Dance is the Stanford Cardinal, the No. 2 seed within the Portland Area.
If the Spartans had any probability to tug off the upset, they must overcome the inside measurement distinction and win the battles on the glass.
Rebounding will play a significant function in figuring out the end result of Friday’s matchup. Stanford was the perfect rebounding workforce within the PAC-12, averaging 44.6 rebounds per contest and beating opponents on the boards by 13 per sport, which is the second-best within the convention.
Controlling the glass is a matter that has eluded the Spartans all 12 months, one thing NSU head coach Larry Vickers acknowledges.
“We clearly wrestle to rebound general, and that’s their power. We all know now we have to sort of reap the benefits of grabbing each defensive rebound we are able to.”
The Cardinal roster options two of the perfect rebounders within the nation, with senior ahead Cameron Brink, who’s third within the nation at 12 rebounds per sport, and junior ahead Kiki Iriafen rating tenth, pulling in 11 rebounds per contest.
Diamond Johnson and Kierra Wheeler are conscious of the problem in entrance of them, with Wheeler explaining that “controlling the glass and their presence within the paint” are points the Spartans must cope with. Johnson added rebounding will likely be paramount.
“They’ve bought a superb inside sport,” stated Johnson.
The Spartans will look to assault the rim; nonetheless, Brink will watch for them. She is the nation’s main shot-blocker, averaging 3.52 per sport.
Johnson stated the Spartans “can’t be scared to go within the paint” and that they “ need to be actually aggressive and create that area the place they will’t block the shot.”
“We all know they’re going to problem us on the rim,” Wheeler, the MEAC Participant of the 12 months, stated. “We’re simply making an attempt to be actually unfazed by their presence down there as a result of we don’t need to cease attacking or being aggressive simply because they’re shot blockers.”
