Looking to repeat last year's success

By Ethan Conley (Last updated: 08/28/09 6:21pm) When she first found out who the MSU women's basketball team would be playing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, senior guard Lindsay Bowen said she didn't know anything about the opponent.

A few days have passed since the selection committee gave fourth-seeded MSU a first-round matchup against No. 13 seed Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Spartans — Bowen included — now have a slightly better grasp of what they're up against. The teams will face off at noon on Saturday at Allstate Arena in Chicago.

"All their guards are shooters, and they have some great post players," Bowen said. "That's about all we know so far. We'll watch film (on Thursday)."

The Panthers' post players start with center Traci Edwards, the team's leading scorer. Edwards, a freshman, is averaging 16.2 points per game, and is shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. She also grabs 10.1 rebounds per game — another team-high.

"They rely heavily on a freshman post player, who has had an incredible season," head coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "She does a lot of nice things for them. She's very patient; she works to get position."

McCallie compared Edwards to former MSU player Kelli Roehrig.

"She's 6-foot-2, and she has the frame of a Kelli Roehrig-type," McCallie said. "If you saw her in film, it's not that you're impressed with this great athlete, or her being fast, but she's extremely savvy about position."

Aside from Edwards' post presence, Wisconsin-Milwaukee also boasts a strong backcourt duo. Guards Nichole Drummond and Molly O'Brien average 12.3 and 10 points per game, respectively, for the Horizon League champions.

"They're just excellent guards," McCallie said. "They're patient, they wait for their opportunities. (Drummond) in particular can shoot the three and go off the dribble very effectively."

McCallie said the backcourt players have great chemistry with Edwards, making for a dangerous inside-outside combination.

"They're pretty much oriented around (Edwards), the post player, but she is an excellent passer herself, so she looks to relocate back to the shooter," McCallie said.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee out-works its opponents on the glass by an average of 6.4 rebounds a game, so MSU will have to battle hard to keep the Panthers from getting second-chance opportunities.

McCallie said neutralizing the Panthers' rebounding advantage will be one of the Spartans' main focal points, as well as making sure to close out on shooters and alter shot attempts.

However, the Panthers aren't without their weaknesses. They average more than 19 turnovers per game, and their top three scorers shoot less than 80 percent from the free throw line, including Edwards, who shoots just 63.4 percent. They also lack the kind of tournament-tested experience that the Spartans possess.

Overall, Wisconsin-Milwaukee serves as a feisty first-round opponent that the Spartans would be unwise to overlook.

"They're a very disciplined team, they played a great schedule, and they're extremely competitive and balanced," McCallie said.

Originally Published: 03/17/06 12:00am