Gonzaga vs. Miami: Remaining tickets on sale at 9 a.m.
No. 3 MIAMI
Region: Kingston
Coach: Katie Meier
Record: 26-6
Top scorer: Shenise Johnson, 16.9
Top rebounder: Johnson, 7.8
Keys to victory: With an offense that scores 75.5 points a game – the eighth most in the nation – the Bulldogs pose a threat on offense.
So do the Hurricanes. They are sixth in the nation in scoring.
Because of the similarities, Miami will have to play Gonzaga with pressure in the full court and limit Gonzaga’s looks inside while guarding against their outside shooters.
No. 11 GONZAGA
Region: Kingston
Coach: Kelly Graves
Record: 27-5
Top scorer: Kayla Standish, 16
Top rebounder: Standish, 7.7
Keys to victory: Just like it did against Rutgers, Gonzaga will have to expect a physical, fast tempo with a high-pressure defense from Miami.
The Hurricanes rank sixth in the nation in scoring, while the Bulldogs rank eight, so the real difference could very well come down to what each team does defensively.
That will include keeping 6-foot-6 center Shawnice Wilson, who pulled down 14 rebounds against Idaho State, out of the paint and finding a way to limit the versatility of senior guard Shenise Johnson.