Stanford at a glance
Guards
The Cardinal start three guards, but that includes the multitalented 6-foot All-American Candice Wiggins, who is a matchup problem for anyone. Wiggins, the Pac-10’s all-time leading scorer, averages 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists. JJ Hones appears completely recovered from a knee injury that cut short her freshman season and Rosalyn Gold-Onwude is steady. The 5-10 sophomores combine for 11 points and 5.3 assists.
Forwards and centers
Twin towers Jayne Appel and Kayla Pedersen, both 6-4, are impressive, giving the Cardinal a dominant inside game. Appel, a sophomore who shoots 60 percent, averages 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds and Pedersen, a freshman, 12.6 and 8.3. They have combined for 103 blocks. Combined with Wiggins on the perimeter, the Cardinal have a balance that makes it hard to defend.
Bench
Juniors Jill Harmon, 6-1, and Morgan Clyburn, 6-4, provide enough size and Cissy Pierce, a 5-10 senior, and Jeanette Pohlen, a 6-0 freshman, help in the backcourt.
6 Pittsburgh
Guards
Shavonte Zellous, a 5-10 junior, is dynamic, averaging 18.1 points and 5.4 rebounds while 5-10 senior Mallorie Winn is steady, scoring 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. More important is how they defend Wiggins, particularly Zellous, who can’t let what happens on one end affect how she performs on the other.
Forwards and centers
Mercedes Walker, a 6-3 senior, is dominating in the middle, averaging 13.9 points and 9.6 rebounds, but has been known to disappear. Xenia Steward, a 6-foot junior, and Sophronia Sallard, a 5-10, sophomore, start at forward though both are listed as guards on the roster and neither are consistent producers. Steward contributes 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds. Sallard is new to the starting lineup.
Bench
The lineup has been fluid, with 11 players starting. More perimeter-based, the Panthers bring freshman Taneisha Harrison and 6-1 Shayla Scott off the bench for backcourt help. Chelsea Cole averages more than five rebounds and provides front-court depth with 6-3 junior Sylvie Tafen –likely to be needed against the big Cardinal.
Summary
Zellous and Walker have to stay out of foul trouble, which could be difficult with the way the tough-minded Panthers like to play defense. Led by Wiggins, the Cardinal are hungry after failing to reach the Sweet 16 two straight years. They are playing like a team on a mission with a pair of dominating performances. Experience is a big factor, with Pitt in just its second tourney and first Sweet 16. Stanford has the size and the depth to contain Zellous and Walker. Can Pitt stop Wiggins without sacrificing too much?