ODU women: George Mason preview

On offense: It will be interesting to see what ODU does. Coach Karen Barefoot prefers an up-tempo style and, in the past, the Lady Monarchs have been more athletic than William & Mary benefited greatly from that style of play. That might be the case this year, but it might not. The things that stand out the most about ODU on offense right now are Tia Lewis’ all-around ability and Jackie Cook’s recent success, which is based on solid shooting and backing down smaller players. Mairi Buchan’s passing stands out as well. All that seems like they’d be better suited for a slow-down game.

On defense: While ODU’s offense might benefit from a half-court game, William & Mary’s certainly will. That’s why the decision ODU makes on defense will be interesting. The Tribe do a great job shooting 3-pointers and ODU has struggled to find shooters on defense, particularly when things have gotten frenetic. William & Mary’s top scorer, Janine Aldridge, shoots the lights out from 3-point range, one of three players that shoot better than 40 percent from deep. If ODU presses, it will have to find shooters once the press is broken. That hasn’t been easy for the Lady Monarchs so far.

The breakdown: Prior to the last game, ODU looked like a team on the upswing, while William & Mary had struggled to finish, but there wasn’t much to like for ODU against UNCW. Despite losing five straight, the Tribe haven’t benefited from playing any week teams like ODU has, and all of their games have been close. The big difference between the two teams statistically is the way the Tribe shoots 3-pointers (38.1 percent), and the frequency (17.2 per game). If William & Mary is on, it’ll be a long day for ODU. If not, the Lady Monarchs have a chance if they’re able to get the ball to the basket. Both teams have reasonable chances.

Prediction: William & Mary 71, ODU 69.

                                                        ODU                       W&M

Points scored                               62.8                        71.1

Points allowed                             73.3                        69.2

Rebounds for                               38.3                         38.1

Rebounds against                      41.3                          41.2

Fg pct for                                       38.4                           41.9

Fg pct. Allowed                           42.4                            41.9

3-pt pct.                                         24.0                           38.1

Ft pct.                                            67.5                           71.2

Turnovers forced                       16.5                             17.2

Turnovers by                              19.4                             18.2

PG – Ashley Betz-White (5-3, Fr) 7.9 pts, 3.5 apg vs. Katherine DeHenzel (5-7, Sr) 6.8 pts. 5.9 apg

SG – JoNiquia Guilford (5-10, Jr) 5.7 pts, 4.1 rebs vs. Janine Aldridge (5-11, Jr) 14.9 pts, 41.4 3-pt pct.

SF – Jackie Cook (6-0, Jr) 8.9 pts, 31.1 3-pt pct. vs. Chanel Murchison (5-10, Jr) 1.3 pts 2.2 rebs

PF – Tia Lewis (6-3, Jr) 18.3 pts, 8.8 rebs vs. Jaclyn McKenna (6-3, Jr) 10.4 pts, 54.0 fg pct.

C – Shakeva Richards (6-2, So) 5.6 pts, 2.5 rebs vs. Emily Correal (6-3, Jr) 13.8 pts, 9.7 rebs

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