Willis Brown knew Kent State's Anna Kowalska was going to cause the Bobcats problems just by looking at the game tapes.
The Ohio assistant coach said he saw how strong a player the Golden Flashes' center is.
She's very good
Brown said. She's one of the top players in the (Mid-American Conference).
Brown watched the Flashes' offense and noticed that much of it is based off of Kowalska and how opponents defend her.
She's going to force the defense to recognize where she is he said. Then I think (Kent State) plays off of her.
Kowalska is the leader of the conference's second-highest scoring offense.
Not only is she the third-leading scorer in the conference at 17.7 points per game, but she also shoots 54.7 percent from the field.
This has helped the Flashes lead the conference in assists per game (16.4).
Last year, Kowalska went down with a foot injury midway through the season and guards Stephanie Gibson and Jena Stutzman's production suffered.
With her in the lineup, their play has improved drastically.
Gibson and Stutzman are both in the top three in 3-point percentage.
You just want to contain (players like Kowalska)
Ohio head coach Semeka Randall said. Make them take tough shots over the top of you.
Turn and box them out and don't allow them to get second and third shot opportunities.
Chandra Myers will start out guarding her in a match-up of pre-season All-MAC picks.
It will be a good challenge for (Myers), Randall said. Senior going against a senior.
Randall did stress that Myers will not have all the pressure of handling Kowalska. All the post players will have to help her out.
Offensively
the Bobcats will face their toughest test yet
at least in terms of handling the ball.
Kent State is third in the conference in steals per game (10.93).
Guard Jamilah Humes is third in the conference with 2.6 steals per game.
Kent State's zone defense will also make things difficult for the turnover-plagued Bobcats.
It's just being very active in the passing lanes, Randall said of Kent State's ability to get turnovers. They've just got long, wiry arms out there in the passing lanes.
Randall re-emphasized the need to take care of the basketball on Saturday.
It's important for our big three guards that are playing some significant minutes to embrace and take care of the basketball
Randall said.
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Matt Wagner
