Two of the most important factors for a team in postseason basketball are getting high-percentage shots and making free throws.
Utah did both of those Monday night against San Diego and plans to use that same formula tonight, when the Utes face the Pacific Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the WNIT in Stockton, Calif.
There might be one hitch in that formula, though. Pacific will most likely double-team Utah’s one-two punch of Taryn Wicijowski and Michelle Plouffe, something the Toreros didn’t do — and it cost them. Wicijowski and Plouffe combined for 43 of Utah’s 61 points in the win.
“I was in paradise,” Wicijowski said of not being double-teamed for the first time since conference play began. “It felt really good.”
Wicijowski said it was so surprising she wasn’t double-teamed that it almost threw her off during the first time down the court. But the surprise turned into bliss. The single coverage allowed Wicijowski to score a game-high 23 points, and the Utes were able to get high-percentage shots close to the basket and didn’t have to rely on jump shots and three-pointers.
“When you get layups and high-percentage shots, it makes life easier for everyone, especially early in the game,” Wicijowski said.
Additionally, Utah made 16 of 19 free throws, a stat the Utes know is important. If Utah can repeat that tonight, it will be poised to advance to the quarterfinals.
The Utes also scored 34 points in the paint, something head coach Anthony Levrets wants to repeat against Pacific, even if the Tigers play with more tenacious defense.
“We [have] got to get the ball in,” Levrets said. “We didn’t see a double-team on Monday, but I expect to see something different [on Thursday].”
The Tigers (27-7, 14-4 Big West) cruised by Washington in the second round of the tournament, showing they’re not intimidated by a Pac-12 opponent even in the postseason. Pacific has won eight of its last nine games and boasts a 14-2 home record. The Big West Tournament runners-up have four players who score in double figures, and that balanced attack could lead to problems for the Utes if they get into foul trouble, something they have struggled with at times this season.
“They [Pacific] are a really good basketball team,” Levrets said. “They have talented players at every position. You don’t get to 27 wins by being average.”
Utah knew it would play Pacific in the Sweet 16 if it won on Monday night, so Levrets and his staff already had film of the Tigers prepared. After the Utes took care of business against San Diego, coaches immediately began watching film. The team finished up scouting on Tuesday and had two days of practice to prepare, but Plouffe is just looking forward to playing.
“It’s fun to play in the postseason and to get to play more games,” Plouffe said. “I love playing with these girls and we’re just trying to play as long as possible.”