Lobo women to get an early wake-up call
Speedy Marquette, UNM are set for morning tip-off today
Kianna Keller has a big family gathering scheduled for today, but it’s got nothing to do with Christmas.
The University of New Mexico’s senior post will be close to home when her Lobos visit Marquette for a matinee women’s basketball game. Her hometown of Waukesha, Wis., is less than 20 miles from Marquette’s Milwaukee campus.
“Back to the frozen tundra,” Keller said with a smile.
Temperatures aside, expect a fired-up Lobo/ Keller cheering section in the stands in the Al McGuire Center.
“The list keeps expanding,” Keller said. “Last I heard there were about 20 friends and family members going. There may be a few more by the time we get there.”
Keller admits she’s excited about her first collegiate game in her home state, but she’s postponing any celebration talk until after the game. The Lobos (4-5) figure to have their hands full against the talented Golden Eagles (8-2), and any sort of distractions will simply have to wait.
“That’s the big thing, be competitive,” Keller said. “We have to focus on the game, not the holiday.”
UNM coach Mike Bradbury emphasized the
same point numerous times Monday, when the Lobos got in a final practice before heading to the airport. He’s been around enough pre-Christmas games to know they frequently end up being one-sided.
“The trick to these games is being committed,” Bradbury said. “If one team is all-in and the other has one foot out the door, it gets ugly in a hurry. We’ll find out pretty quick if we’re ready to play.”
Bradbury does not expect the Golden Eagles to allow UNM to gradually warm to the task in a 10:30 a.m. (MT) start. Marquette features a high-pressure, baseline-to-baseline style and has the type of players to make it work.
“They’re the best team we’ve played to date,” Bradbury said of the Golden Eagles. “Definitely the quickest and most athletic. They really shoot the 3, they can really drive to the basket and they’re good rebounders. Very, very few weaknesses, if any.”
Third-year coach Carolyn Kieger, a Marquette alum, has rebuilt her team’s roster to suit her up-tempo style. The Golden Eagles start four sophomores, and usually the first two players off the bench are underclassmen.
Inexperience has hardly been a problem. Marquette’s eight wins include two over nationally ranked opponents (Arizona State and Oregon State) and one at Wisconsin.
Slashing guard Allazia Blockton (18.5 points per game) is the top scorer for the Golden Eagles, but she has plenty of help. Forward Erika Davenport and 3-point specialist Natisha Hiedeman average double figures in scoring, and Marquette racks up plenty of easy baskets through forced turnovers and offensive rebounds.
“They’re going to press us for 40 minutes,” Bradbury said, “and they’re faster than anyone we’ve played. We cannot turn the ball over against their press and we have to figure out a way to get defensive rebounds. The way Marquette spreads you it makes it awfully tough to keep them off the glass.”
Defensive rebounding has been a strength for the Lobos this season, and they’ve handled full-court pressure reasonably well. Erratic shooting has been more of an issue, and the Lobos know they’ll have to be dialed in to stay with a Marquette team that averages 80 points per game.
“We have to hit shots,” Keller said, “but hustle and focus are the biggest things for us. If we rebound, play good defense and just play really hard, we’ll be OK. We have to be ready to battle.”