Tulane was one of the higher RPI teams in the AAC
by FightingIrishRadio (2019-01-17 13:02:17)

In reply to: UConn’s Megan Walker outscores entire Tulane team  posted by RISteve


Tulane's RPI was 73 -- along with UConn and Central Florida the only AAC teams in the top 100 of the RPI. UConn had to score 23 in the 4th quarter to get to 75 points -- and they shot 46.6% from the field and 29% from three. They only made 56% of their free throws.

And, it wasn't the bench missing shots that dragged the percentages down. Their bench players made the only shot attempted by a non-starter all night on a tip-in of a Christyn Williams miss with 2:38 left in the game. The bench (Nelson-Ododa) did chip in a free throw with just under two minutes left. She went 1-4 from the line, but the starters were still only 13-21 (61.9%).

Thankfully, things will ease up a bit for UConn as they wind their way through their rugged conference -- their next game is at Temple, currently 251 in the RPI -- so maybe the starters can get a bit more rest.

If Geno loses to Louisville in a couple of weeks, they may fail to earn a one seed in the NCAAs, which probably is why he kept front line players in to score in the fourth quarter. UConn's problem is their non-conference schedule is usually packed with more top teams, but a number that are usually ranked aren't this season. They will have played only five ranked teams by the end of the regular and conference tournament season -- the current #1, 2, 4, 15 and 24 teams. They're currently 2-1 against ranked teams -- so the best they can finish is 4-1.

The Louisville game will be crucial for the Huskies, who currently sit at 7 in the RPI with a strength of schedule of 23. If they end the season with two losses and 3-2 against the top 25, it will be interesting to see how they're slotted into the tournament. If they win at Louisville, they'll be set up to run the table and snag a one seed.




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