Part 3. Scouting Report
Overall, MSU plays a lineup that consists of one post player, two guards and two wing players. Offensively, they play a fast tempo style with a lot of passing and player movement. Defensively, they don’t pressure the opponent very much but they can switch from 1 to 4 position if necessary. Generating fast break points through steals is one of the traits of this team.
MSU has a deep rotation that 9-10 players would see significant playing time in a game. Except for their star player Nia Clouden, who averages 33 min/game, all the rotational players average between 13 and 27 min/game, which is why their stats appear unimpressive on paper. For example, all the rotational players’ scoring averages fall between 4 and 11 pts except for Nia Clouden. No rotational player averages more than 6.5 reb/game. Also, their starting lineup has been constantly shuffled as the season progressed due to tactical purposes or injuries.
Injury Update
According to the MSU media reports, their team was a little banged up coming off the B1G tournament. Their starting power forward/guard Julia Ayrault hasn’t played since Feb. 21 due to concussion protocol. Their starting small forward/guard Tory Ozment suffered an achilles injury in the B1G tournament quarter-final against Indiana and didn’t play the semi-final game against Iowa. These two players are considered two of their best defenders and their availability could impact the outcome of the game. Also, three other rotational players had to play through minor injuries in the B1G tournament.
Scouting the 10 Rotational Players
The Star: #24 Nia Clouden (5’8 Jr. PG)
Award: Member of B1G All-Conference First-Team
Key stats: Averaging team-high in pts (18.8), assists (4.0), steals (1.7), and mins (33.0) per game. She’s the only player who played and started in all 23 games.
52.6% 2 PT FG%, 32.3% 3PT FG% (32 of 99), 5.4 FT Attempts/game, 77.4% FT%.
She’s the engine of the team. The team goes as she goes. She’s very fast and athletic. She attacks the basket aggressively and draws fouls, is also good at midrange pull-ups and shoots a decent percentage behind the arc. She likes to steal the balls and is very dangerous in transition. She reminds me of Ja’Mee Asberry of Oklahoma State but she might be a little better.
I'd call "the stars are aligned" as both she and Ashley wear the #24 uniform on each team. Let's see which star will shine brighter.
The Sidekick: #3 Alyza Winston (5”7 Soph. SG)
She’s the team's second-leading scorer (11.1 pts/game). She’s deadly behind the 3-pt line (37.5%) and leads the team in 3-pointer attempts and makes (42 off 112). She reminds me of Taylor Robertson of Oklahoma. She must not be left alone most of the time.
The Wings
#40 Julia Ayrault (6’2 Soph. F/G)
She has improved a lot since her freshman year and is now averaging the team’s third-best in scoring (9.1 pts/game). She leads the team in blocks/game (1.2) and FT% (77.8%). She’s a great complimentary piece to their offense and one of the best defenders on the team. If she’s available for the game, she might be the one who guards Ashley Joens.
#1 Tory Ozment (6’1 Jr. F/G)
She’s Maddie Wise of the MSU team. Averaging 6.8 pts/game, she’s a blue-collar two-way player who’s team’s second-best in assists (3.5) and steals (1.3) per game. She has a decent perimeter game (32% in 3 PT%, 16 of 50) and is an average FT shooter (73.9%). She’s also considered one of the best defenders on the team. If Ayrault is not available, she could be assigned to guard Ashley Joens.
I think if she and Maddie Wise dressed in the same uniform, people would have a hard time telling the big difference from afar. It’s also worth noting that they both wear the #1 uniform on each team and are of the same height.
The Centers
The post players on the MSU team don't have much of post game. Their role is to set the screen for their guards and go for offensive rebounds.
#4 Alisia Smith (6’3 Sr. C/F)
She’s the starting center on the team but only averages 19.6 min/game, 8.7 pts/game, and is the team’s leading rebounder (6.5/game). She has a similar frame to Kristin Scott and is an average athlete. She’s not their offensive focal point in the post position but a complementary piece.
#14 Taiyier Parks (6’3 Soph. C/F)
Although she comes off the bench, she’s pretty much split the duty equally at the 5 position with Smith. She’s bigger and more of a bruiser type of post. She shots over 50% and average 7.7 pts/game in only 16.8 min/game playing time. She’s the team’s best offensive rebounder (2.7/game). Unlike Smith, who’s an average FT shooter (70.2%), Parks is a poor FT shooter (43.6%) which we can take advantage of.
The rest of the rotation
#23 Janai Grooms (5’10 Jr. G)
One of the two backup guards. An energy player. Averaging 5.0 pts/game, 2.9 asst/game (team’s third-best), is a poor 3 PT and FT shooter but a good defender.
#22 Moira Joiner (5’10 Soph. G)
The other backup guard. Averaging 5.9 pts/game, is the team’s best 3PT shooter (38.4%, 28 of 73). Make sure we put a defender near her when she’s on the floor.
#2 Mardrekia Cook (6’0 RSr. F)
The team’s undersized backup forward. Does most scoring inside the arc. Averaging 3.8 pts/game, 14.1 min/game.
#44 Kendall Bostic (6’2 Fr. F)
The only freshman on the team. She plays a small role as a backup forward and has been up and down the whole season. Scored her second season-high 13 pts in the last game against Iowa in the absence of their two starting wing players.
Part 4. Keys to the Game
1) Play team basketball
As the stats suggest, when we have everybody involved and have a balanced scoring game, we have a better chance of winning. Because MSU doesn’t have a strong interior defense, Ashley could seek the mismatch and have a field day. But other players must not get caught ball watching. If we can get four or more players to score in double figures and score over 80 pts, we are likely to come out victorious.
2) Play solid perimeter and transitional defense
Containing Cloudon and Winston is the top priority. Our team could use a man-to-man switching defense scheme. MSU likes to run so we must limit their fast-break points. If we can hold MSU under 75 pts, it will increase the winning odds greatly.
3) Make Clouden less efficient and do not let everybody else go off
Nia Clouden is a really tough matchup. It's OK to let her score her share of points but we can make her take inefficient shots. When she scores more, her team tends to lose. Contain everybody else and make the game a one-player show should be a winning formula. (Haven't we learned it from the Texas loss?)
4) Limit turnovers
I’m sure the team has learned their lesson the last time out. Take care of the ball especially avoiding live-ball turnovers. The magic number is 12 or less.
5) Execute, execute and execute
As other posters suggested, both teams have been inconsistent throughout the season. Since both teams share so many similarities in style and stats, the game might come down to who can play to their strength, execute their game plan better and make timely adjustments. Which team’s better version showing up will eventually decide the game.
6) Bonus Key: Heather Ezell
The last time when we beat MSU, Heather was on the team and her 3-pointer was part of the big comeback at the end of the game. This year she’s also participating in the tournament (as an associate head coach for the Wyoming WBB team). I’m confident she will bring good luck to our team and watch them close by.
Go Cyclones!
Did they seriously think no one would notice this?
