Central Michigan head coach Sue Guevara showed off her lucky St. Paddy's Day socks prior to the start of their first-round matchup against LSU on Saturday. Some would say the luck was on their side as they were able to pull off a 78-69 upset over the Tigers. To me? I wouldn't call it luck. Central Michigan just did what Central Michigan does and nothing else.
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Lead by the MAC Player of the Year, Tinara Moore with 25 points and 7 rebounds, the Chippewa's were dominant on the glass out-rebounding LSU 40 to 27. On average, they are out-rebounding opponents close to nine rebounds a game this season and it has become a pivotal key to their success. They also made free throws, finishing 15-17 from the stripe. As a team, they are an 80-percent free throw shooting team which ranks 4th in the nation.
Central Michigan is successful because they aren't one dimensional. They have a dominant inside presence with Moore, and they have impressive guard play on the perimeter, including Presley Hudson, who is eighth in the nation in three-point shooting percentage at 45-percent. Averaging 18 points a game, Hudson is a versatile scorer with the ability to go off at any moment.
Combine that with Reyna Frost, a junior who is a walking double-double averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds a game, and Central Michigan is extremely impressive, well coached and hard to guard. They rank 7th in the nation in scoring at 82.5 points per game.
Looking ahead to Monday night's second round matchup again Ohio State, the Buckeyes have a difficult task at hand. Defending down low and doing a job on Moore is important, but you can't just focus on her. Anyone on the perimeter is capable of shooting the three, three of them at 38-percent or higher in Hudson, Cassie Breen and Micaela Kelly. They can pound the ball inside, they can hurt you from the perimeter, they make shots and they rebound extremely well.
Luck? No, this MAC team has earned the right to be where they are. Be ready for a great matchup between the two. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chips keep making some noise. They take on Ohio State at 5:30 p.m. EST Monday night.
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