Buffalo, Florida State could see game turn into a track meet
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Buffalo and Florida State share many similarities as they prepare for Monday's women's NCAA Tournament second-round matchup.
Both teams run up-tempo systems and have experienced backcourts. Without much time for either team to scout each other, there is the potential that the game could turn into a track meet.
If it does turn into a high-scoring game, that suits both coaches fine.
''We are focusing on who we are and what we do and how we do it. I think that is the best thing to do with such a short window,'' Buffalo coach Felisha Legette-Jack said. ''You can spend a lot of time on your opponent, but it's what really got you here and knowing about us.''
The 11th-seeded Bulls come into the game with plenty of momentum after Saturday's 102-79 victory over South Florida, which is the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. It is also the most points that a double-digit seed has scored in the tournament.
The Bulls (28-5) were the first Mid-American Conference team since 1996 to earn an at-large berth and proved the selection committee right by being one of three mid-major programs to pull off an upset in the first round. Florida State (26-6) is trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year.
The winner will advance to the Albany Regional semifinals.
''We obviously celebrate our achievements, but we have to lock in,'' Buffalo guard Stephanie Reid said. ''Obviously, we made history yesterday and that's exciting, but we have to continue on and hopefully make history tomorrow.''
Buffalo, which comes into the game averaging 78.3 points per game, has scored 80 points or more 17 times and is 15-2 in those games. Third-seeded Florida State, who opened tournament play with a 91-49 win over Little Rock, is averaging 81.5 points. That average jumps to 87.6 points through when the Seminoles are at home.
''We've been in track meets before, we like to run,'' Florida State coach Sue Semrau said. ''It's not like you can really have a lot of strategy with that one-day prep.''
The Bulls are led by Cierra Dillard, who is averaging 15.6 points. The junior guard scored a career high 36 points and seven 3-pointers against USF. That also tied for the most points by a Mid-American Conference player in an NCAA tournament game.
They also have an experience point guard in Stephanie Reid, who is averaging 12.0 points and 7.0 assists. The senior from Melbourne, Australia, had 19 points against USF but her eight assists and two steals made a bigger impact.
Buffalo doesn't drop too many games when it goes up-tempo, but it did lose 98-90 to Central Michigan in the MAC Tournament title game. Reid said the lesson that they learned from that game is they need to do a good job of controlling the pace.
''I think we have gotten more heady on the court,'' she said. ''I think tomorrow, we know the pace is going to be quick. If we can control that and if we do get forced in a halfcourt set, we can execute as well.''
Florida State will need to have another big game from Shakayla Thomas. The senior forward, who will be playing in her 13th NCAA Tournament game, had 26 points in the win over Little Rock. She is averaging 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds during her career in the tournament.
''It is going to be a track meet probably from the jump,'' said Thomas, who is averaging 17.5 points this season. ''The way they finished the game running up and down the court, that is the type of game we play.''
The Seminoles, who set a program postseason record by shooting 58.3 percent from the field against Little Rock, also will need solid performances from senior guards Imani Wright and AJ Alix. Wright (16.7 points) has made 103 3-pointers this season while Alix is averaging 11.4 points and 6.4 assists.
''You just have to stay poised and confident,'' said Alix about the game's high-scoring potential. ''It's more fun you put the ball in the basket and get stops. If it gets to be a track meet, that's fun too.''
