Rebounding key for Pitt

One team prefers patience and precision, the other likes speed and power. Both teams, however,… One team prefers patience and precision, the other likes speed and power. Both teams, however, share a similar goal – winning a key conference contest.

Pitt and Villanova meet Saturday in a Big East women’s basketball showdown in Philadelphia at 2 p.m. The Panthers (12-6 overall, 3-4 Big East) are well rested and hungry for a chance to tie last season’s win total, which they will do with an all-important road win.

How can they win on the road against a disciplined team like the Villanova Wildcats? Rebounding. Coach Berenato stressed the importance of collecting rebounds and immediately pushing the pace of the game.

“Villanova is a good jump-shooting basketball team, so that means we’ll see a lot more long rebounds on shots that miss hard off the rim,” Berenato said. “The long rebounds could give us a problem, so we have to clear out each opponent then find the ball and go.”

Villanova (11-6 overall, 2-4) uses the ever-complex Princeton-style offense, which includes backdoor cuts, lengthy possessions and lots of jump shots. Second only to West Virginia in 3-point attempts per game, the Wildcats constantly have five players on the floor capable of hitting the outside shot.

“[Villanova] runs the most complex offense in the league and it’s the most difficult to guard,” Berenato said. “We’ve been doing a lot of breakdowns of their defense and we’re getting better and better as the week progresses.”

Berenato also said that her Panthers need to shoot better from the perimeter to open up the inside game for sophomore post presence Marcedes Walker. Walker averages 17.4 points per game and, according to legendary Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma, is the toughest post player to guard in the nation.

The Panthers want to pound the ball inside on offense, but can only do that with a solid shooting performance.

Last Saturday, the Panthers shot just 18-of-70 against Connecticut, falling to the Huskies 65-54 in the Petersen Events Center. Pitt guards combined to shoot just 26.5 percent, forcing Walker to create her own opportunities in the post.

Villanova assistant coach Mary Beth Snell believes Pitt’s guards will be back on track by Saturday. Because of that, the Wildcats will not put all of their focus on defending Marcedes Walker.

“We aren’t planning on double teaming Marcedes too much,” Snell said. “Their guards will hit open shots, so we’ll try to just limit [Pitt’s] offensive possessions.”

Keying Villanova’s offensive attack will be forwards Liad Suez-Karni, a senior, and junior Jackie Adamshick. The two combine for nearly half of their teams scoring, hitting 45 percent of their team’s shots, and are the Wildcats’ best rebounders.

“We need them to contribute in every game,” Snell said. “If they aren’t shooting well, we immediately start looking for new ways to get them involved, through decision-making or passing.”

Experience could also factor into this weekend’s contest, as Villanova’s four leading scorers consist of three seniors and one junior. Four freshmen and one sophomore play regularly for the Panthers with Mallorie Winn also playing in her first season with Pitt.

As a result, learning to win on the road presents a challenge for Berenato and her staff. In their 2005-2006 Big East campaign, Pitt has yet to win away from home.

“We’re really confident when we’re home, but we’ve struggled on the road,” Berenato said. “But we’re working on our stuff and our confidence should be high going into Saturday.”

The consistency of Liad Suez-Karni could be the deciding factor in Saturday’s contest. According to Snell, Suez-Karni’s streaky shooting, while problematic, can be countered with her court vision and leadership.

For Pitt, Berenato said that shooting will be the key. If the Panthers cannot hit their outside shots and get easy transition baskets, they will have trouble winning on the road.

“I expect this contest to be a tough one,” she said. “But if we can keep our competitive spirits high, our work ethic strong, and our communication on the floor together, we will be in good shape.”