Auburn is certain to provide Lobos a stiff challenge
Tigers play up-tempo, pressure defense; New Mexico hasn’t faced that yet this season
It may be a Sunday matinee, but the lights get a bit brighter for the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team today.
After a resounding 82-51 win over Texas State in round one of the Preseason WNIT on Friday, the Lobos host Auburn today in round two. The matchup figures to be significantly tougher.
The Tigers romped to easy wins in their first two games, including an 80-59 drubbing of Nicholls State in Friday’s WNIT opener. Lobos coach Mike Bradbury says Auburn is just what fans might expect from an SEC team.
“They’re long, athletic and they really get after it defensively,” Bradbury said after his team’s Saturday practice. “They like to press and drive to the basket. This will be a fast-paced basketball game.”
UNM had the edge in depth and athleticism in its two preseason wins and Friday’s opener. They figure to meet their match in those departments today.
“I see a lot of athleticism watching them on video,” Lobo senior Jaisa Nunn said. “(The Tigers) turn up the pressure on defense and really attack the boards. It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
Auburn represents a different type of challenge for a UNM defense that has played well against half-court, perimeterbased offenses. The Tigers are less likely to play for 3-point shots than they are to attack the basket, pull up for mid-range jumpers and go hard after offensive rebounds.
The strategy has worked so far. Auburn, which has four of its top five scorers back from last season, has averaged 88.5 points in its first two games.
“The major priority for us is to keep them off the boards,” Bradbury said, “but we’ve got to be really sound defensively, too. We have to be able to keep their guards in front of us or we’ll be in trouble.”
UNM’s defense impressed Friday thanks in large part to its shot blockers under the basket. Senior Nike McClure had six of UNM’s single-game record 16 blocks. She called it a matter of preparation.
“I really enjoy blocking shots so I study it a little bit,” McClure said. “I watch the other team in warmups and try to see how players’ shots go up. That’s part of my pregame routine.”
Bradbury said having high-energy players like McClure and freshman post Shaiquel McGruder under the basket gives UNM’s other defenders confidence.
“Nike and Shai bring the energy,” he said. “You can kind of see it in the way they carry themselves, and it’s contagious. Blocked shots definitely help motivate you defensively.”
Today’s winner will advance to the WNIT semifinals against either Iowa State or Northern Illinois, but the Lobos say they’re not about to think ahead.
“We’re excited to play Auburn,” Nunn said, “an athletic big-conference team that we never play against. It should be a fast-paced game and a real battle. I love games like this.”
EARLY RETURNS: Utah State may have the most notable victory for a Mountain West team thus far. The Aggies earned a 72-61 victory at Washington State earlier this week.
Other surprises included Wright State, Bradbury’s former team, clobbering UNLV 68-52 in Las Vegas, and Northern Arizona defeating Fresno State 86-73 in Flagstaff. NAU, a future UNM opponent, hit 15 of 20 from 3-point range against FSU.