Bulldogs brace for high-scoring Plum

OKLAHOMA CITY Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer sees something familiar when he watches Washington guard Kelsey Plum.

The Houston native and Rockets fan said Plum affects the game the same way NBA superstar James Harden does.

“They run a lot of stuff that the Rockets run,” Schaefer said. “They spread the floor. They play off of her. She’s smart enough to find who is open, and those kids can make shots.”

Washington’s dynamic senior has averaged at least 20 points in each of her four seasons, and she has broken Jackie Stiles’ NCAA career and singleseason scoring records this season. Schaefer is the next coach who will try to devise a plan to slow Plum when his Bulldogs face the Huskies on Friday in the Sweet 16.

If it’s any consolation, those who play with Plum most often — her teammates — don’t have answers for her unorthodox game, either. She has a lightning-quick lefthanded release on deep shots, but she can dribble and finish easily with either hand. Though she’s just 5 foot 8, she has an array of different ways to score in the paint.

“It’s definitely not easy,” Washington guard Aarion McDonald said of practice. “Kelsey is a crafty player, so she always keeps us on our toes. One minute, we might stop her, but next time down, she gets us back. So we’re like, ‘How do we guard her?’ ”

Plum is averaging 31.8 points per game this season with a high game of 57 points. Washington guard Natalie Romeo said practicing against Plum makes her a better defender.

“I think guarding all her different moves helps us because there’s no one else who can imitate her,” Romeo said.