Cal shares many similarities with opponent
The California University women’s basketball team might get an edge over Nova Southeastern today in their NCAA Division II tournament matchup at the free-throw line, where the Vulcans shoot 73.4 percent.
California University's fourth-year head coach Jess Strom is looking to lead the No. 14-ranked Vulcans to an NCAA Division II tournament Elite Eight victory over No. 18 Nova Southeastern today at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
CALIFORNIA – The women’s basketball teams at California University and Nova Southeastern have much in common.
Both are postseason regulars in NCAA Division II. Each has a built a tradition of winning with a solid foundation of strong defense and balanced scoring on offense.
And each has gotten up close and personal with adversity.
Somehow, Cal and Nova Southeastern have been able to muster the resiliency to overcome devastating body blows to their programs this year and put together remarkable seasons.
For one team, that season will add another storybook chapter today. For the other, it will all come to an abrupt end in 40 minutes.
No. 14-ranked California (29-4) and No. 18 Nova Southeastern (27-5) will meet in the national quarterfinals today (1 p.m. tipoff), when the Elite Eight begins at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
“In some ways, they’re a mirror image to us,” Cal’s fourth-year head coach Jess Strom said of Nova Southeastern, which won the South Region championship.
“They play pretty good defense. They like to pressure the ball. They have a good post player who works hard and a guard who can drive by you. They’re very similar to us.”
And, like Cal, the Sharks know how to overcome adversity. How the Vulcans have healed and battled back from the sudden and tragic death of player Shanice Clark in January has been well-documented. Meanwhile, at Nova Southeastern, the Sharks were busy dealing with two unexpected personnel losses, including one shortly before the season began.
Nova Southeastern lost junior guard Taylor Buie to what coach LeeAnn Freeland described as a “major knee injury” three weeks into preseason practice. Buie was the Sharks’ leading scorer (15.1 ppg) last year when they advanced to the national semifinals. She was an honorable mention All-American and a 44-percent shooter from three-point range.
The Sharks also lost starting forward Kayla Wright (11.6 ppg) to a foot injury six weeks ago, though there is a chance she could be cleared to play against Cal.
Nova Southeastern has won 11 games in a row behind the stellar play of 5-10 senior forward Jasmine Wilkins (14.4 ppg) and senior guard Danielle Robinson (13.5). Wilkins is the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Junior guards Monaye Merritt, a transfer from Temple, Jessica Valley and Alexis Murphy each average at least eight points per game.
“We have some good senior leadership in Robinson and Wilkins. They set the tone for us early,” Freeland said. “This team has been extremely resilient and focused. We’ve developed some strong chemistry and are proud to make it back to the Elite Eight because we know how hard it is to get this far.”
Because Cal does not have a true center, the Vulcans will be most concerned about stopping Wilkins from scoring in the low post.
“Their inside game is a little different than ours,” Strom said. “Wilkins is a back-to-the-basket post player. The good thing is they don’t have a 6-3 or 6-4 girl who they can just lob the ball to. If we can front Wilkins, then we should have some success.”
Cal will need continued strong play from sophomore guard Miki Glenn and senior guard Kaitlynn Fratz. Glenn was the MVP of the PSAC tournament and Atlantic Regional. She is the Vulcans’ leading scorer at 16.2 per game. Fratz is averaging 14.2 points. Rounding out the starting lineup will be senior forward Emma Mahady (13.8), senior forward Irina Kukolj (10.1) and defensive stopper Lana Doran (5.4).
Nova Southeastern won the South Region title by defeating top-seeded Union (Tenn.) 67-62 on the Bulldogs’ home court. Nova Southeastern committed only six turnovers in the title game and protecting the basketball will be key for the Sharks against Cal’s switching man-to-man defense.
“I know Cal forces a lot of turnovers and gets to the free-throw line,” Freeland said.
Free-throw shooting might be where Cal has a big edge. The Vulcans make 73.4 percent of their foul shots and Glenn is an 85-percent shooter from the stripe. Nova Southeastern shoots only 66 percent from the free-throw line and two of their top three scorers shoot less than 56 percent.
Nova Southeastern will be making its third consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight. This is Cal’s first trip to the Elite Eight since 2009. Both coaches downplayed the Sharks’ Elite Eight experience.
“I think any NCAA tournament experience is going to help you,” Freeland said. “At the Elite Eight, every team is phenomenal.”
The semifinal games Wednesday and the championship game Friday will be televised live by CBS Sports Network. … The Cal-Nova Southeastern winner plays either No. 5 West Texas A&M (27-2) or No. 9 Emporia State (25-4). … Nova Southeastern is located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.