Stanford defeats Arizona with a clear approach: Stop Aari McDonald
The year has started very strong in the NCAA women with a game between some of the best universities of the season. The best ranked players faced the sixth, being an encounter with some flavor to the March Madness that we missed last March.
Stanford’s start to the season has been very good, defeating UCLA and coming into this matchup against Arizona in very good shape with many players plugged in being a steamroller.
For this game, Tara Vanderveer had one thing clear, and that is to have to disable Aari McDonald in her offensive game. It is the Wildcats’ greatest threat and stopping it is key to defeating them.
The Arizona guard comes from being the best player of the week in the Pac-12 with more than 20 average points, so the challenge was not easy for Stanford since they had to face one of the best prospects for the WNBA Draft 2021.
With the trenches well prepared to stop McDonald and with the collective that they are used to, the Vanderveer girls were able to win their first big date of 2021 with a lot of difference on the scoreboard.
“Obviously, she’s a tremendous and really cool player. Tara always names the collective game and our defense did it really well“Said Cardinals guard Anna Wilson.
Win » ????
…and a Happy New Year indeed ????#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/S8XMKQ9xZp
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) January 2, 2021
Arizona’s star draft was not at all comfortable, finishing 1-for-6 on 3-pointers well below his usual score. In the aggregate count, he had a 3 of 18 shooting from the field, without having a single second of tranquility in the 31 minutes he was on the field.
But it wasn’t just McDonald’s, as Stanford’s great defense made it impossible for any rival player to score easily. Shaina Pellington finished with a 3 of 15 shooting, with only Sam Thomas with his 4 of 9 triples being the only one with a good offensive contribution.
The team coached by Vanderveer shot 24 of 52 while Arizona remained at 17 of 66, being a very weak shooting card for a roster of the best ranked in the country.
“We came here last year and it was very difficult for us. The players didn’t forget it, I think. I know that I did not forget”Said Tara explaining the reasons that made her prepare so well for the match.
#EntraEnLaZona
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