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The Lady Shocks (14-3, 5-0, RPI 59) will complete their pass through the bottom of the Valley with a 7:00pm Friday game with the Illinois State Redbirds (0-16, 0-5, RPI 294).
Hopefully, the Shockers will be somewhat more engaged from the get go than they were on the road last weekend against Bradley and Loyola where the muddled through the 1st half before engaging in the 2nd half and pulling away for two double digit wins.
I'm not sure what is going on at Illinois State but clearly they are struggling big time this year. This is another game you simply can not lose because it is doubtful any of the other contenders will lose to the Redbirds this year.
Illinois State Statistics. Illinois State Roster.
On Sunday, 30 minutes following the Shocker Men's game with Drake, probably about 4:00pm the Shocks take on Southern Illinois (9-7, 2-3, RPI 133). Fans attending the men's game can stay for the women's game at no charge.
SIU appears to be an improved team in their 2nd season under Coach Cindy Stein. I think Coach Stein inherited some decent talent but they were a very undisciplined and unorganized group under the previous coach. Coach Stein seems to have SIU pointing in the right direction.
SIU did beat the Shocks last year in Carbondale behind a 23 point, 15 rebound effort from their big center, 6-2 Dyana Pierre who is a Junior this year. Pierre is averaging a double-double this year at 13.5 PPG and 10.3 RPG. Not sure we really have anyone who can match up with Pierre. Perhaps Brittany Martin would have the best shot on the defensive end. At the very least Brittany could use up her 5 fouls on Pierre who is a 49% FT shooter. Problem is Brittany did not make the trip last weekend due to injury and I am not sure about her availability for this game. Perhaps we can use Moriah Daprich in that role as well. We really don't want our starters giving away any fouls unnecessarily.
Rashonda Napier, a 5-5 RSo. Guard, leads SIU in scoring at 17.3 PPG.
6-0 Jr Forward Azia Washington is chipping in with 10.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG.
Cartaesha Macklin is a very athletic 5-6 RJr Guard who led SIU in scoring her first two years but was very undisciplined and somewhat selfish and was basically a turnover waiting to happen. (She was injured after 7 games last year and received a medical redshirt). Coach Stein appears to have Macklin playing much more under control and playing much better team ball. Her scoring is down, averaging 9.7 PPG, but she has delivered 40 assists and turned the ball over 39 times in 16 games. She also grabs 4.5 RPG. Sounds like she is playing more like Jamillah Bonner of the Shocks this year.
SIU Statistics. SIU Roster.
The Shockers should win this game at home but SIU is definitely capable of pulling the upset especially if the Shocks play the way they did last weekend. It would be nice if a good chunk of the men's crowd hang around to perhaps give the Shocks a little energy boost.
Even if the Shocks win both of these games I would expect our RPI will climb into the 60's but there is not much we can do about that.
Hopefully, the Shockers will be somewhat more engaged from the get go than they were on the road last weekend against Bradley and Loyola where the muddled through the 1st half before engaging in the 2nd half and pulling away for two double digit wins.
I'm not sure what is going on at Illinois State but clearly they are struggling big time this year. This is another game you simply can not lose because it is doubtful any of the other contenders will lose to the Redbirds this year.
Illinois State Statistics. Illinois State Roster.
On Sunday, 30 minutes following the Shocker Men's game with Drake, probably about 4:00pm the Shocks take on Southern Illinois (9-7, 2-3, RPI 133). Fans attending the men's game can stay for the women's game at no charge.
SIU appears to be an improved team in their 2nd season under Coach Cindy Stein. I think Coach Stein inherited some decent talent but they were a very undisciplined and unorganized group under the previous coach. Coach Stein seems to have SIU pointing in the right direction.
SIU did beat the Shocks last year in Carbondale behind a 23 point, 15 rebound effort from their big center, 6-2 Dyana Pierre who is a Junior this year. Pierre is averaging a double-double this year at 13.5 PPG and 10.3 RPG. Not sure we really have anyone who can match up with Pierre. Perhaps Brittany Martin would have the best shot on the defensive end. At the very least Brittany could use up her 5 fouls on Pierre who is a 49% FT shooter. Problem is Brittany did not make the trip last weekend due to injury and I am not sure about her availability for this game. Perhaps we can use Moriah Daprich in that role as well. We really don't want our starters giving away any fouls unnecessarily.
Rashonda Napier, a 5-5 RSo. Guard, leads SIU in scoring at 17.3 PPG.
6-0 Jr Forward Azia Washington is chipping in with 10.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG.
Cartaesha Macklin is a very athletic 5-6 RJr Guard who led SIU in scoring her first two years but was very undisciplined and somewhat selfish and was basically a turnover waiting to happen. (She was injured after 7 games last year and received a medical redshirt). Coach Stein appears to have Macklin playing much more under control and playing much better team ball. Her scoring is down, averaging 9.7 PPG, but she has delivered 40 assists and turned the ball over 39 times in 16 games. She also grabs 4.5 RPG. Sounds like she is playing more like Jamillah Bonner of the Shocks this year.
SIU Statistics. SIU Roster.
The Shockers should win this game at home but SIU is definitely capable of pulling the upset especially if the Shocks play the way they did last weekend. It would be nice if a good chunk of the men's crowd hang around to perhaps give the Shocks a little energy boost.
Even if the Shocks win both of these games I would expect our RPI will climb into the 60's but there is not much we can do about that.
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