Notre Dame and Sacred Heart always seem to be very competitive when they play each other. They take to the hardwood this Tuesday at Sacred Heart. I haven't seen ND play, so it's tough for me to make a prediction with observations to back it up.

 

I do like the way Sacred Heart has been playing recently. Nice win over the weekend against a perennial powerhouse from St Louis area (St Joseph Academy) 59-57. Sacred Heart only committed 5 turnovers in this game.

Notre Dame and Sacred Heart always seem to be very competitive when they play each other. They take to the hardwood this Tuesday at Sacred Heart. I haven't seen ND play, so it's tough for me to make a prediction with observations to back it up.

 

I do like the way Sacred Heart has been playing recently. Nice win over the weekend against a perennial powerhouse from St Louis area (St Joseph Academy) 59-57. Sacred Heart only committed 5 turnovers in this game.

 

I'm a Highlands fan, so I've seen them both...or should I say we've lost to them both! I think this is two good teams with contrasting styles. It will be very interesting to see which style wins out! I would love to see SH at full strength to see how this would truly turn out, but they have seemed to recover pretty well from the injury to Merriweather.

 

ND is big, but I wouldn't call them slow. They play within themselves and typically stay in control against pressing teams. They have the ability to throw over top of you because of their size. They don't have spectacular ball handlers (dribblers), but I would call them good ball handlers because they seem to make good decisions with the ball. Voskuhl is a player. Inside and out. Ogle really surprises people too and Smith in the middle was a great addition. ND is big and athletic, but not too deep on the bench.

 

SH just amazes me! They are not big at all, but really play well together. They move and share the ball well and Ruffin is a beast. She doesn't fit the typical mold for an outstanding player, but she quickly changes your mind. As one person put it...when you are playing at the YMCA and you look around and say "I'll guard her (thinking you might have an easy assignment). By the second time down the floor, you are asking "who wants to switch!!!!". I know I stole that line from a very knowledgeable person, but it fits perfectly here! She is quick and fast. She was beating our guards down the floor while she was brining it up and we could catch her! She is also quick off her feet and "rips" down rebounds. It will be interesting to see her combination of moves, quickness and skill against Smith's size, strength and athleticism.

 

Should be a fun game for the spectators!!!

Thanks for the thorough reply. SH really does continue to surprise when they play bigger teams. Saint Joseph had Stipanovich 6' 4" (29pts 14 rebounds) and Nelson 6' 1" (20 points 8 rebounds) clogging up the middle and we still found a way to win by applying pressure on the guards. Stipanovich is the real deal. Her Uncle played in the NBA.

 

We are very quick and fast with plenty of basketball skill on the floor. From your observation it sounds like we will need to turnover ND guards to win this game. Voskuhl will get her points, but if we can shut down the others we should put ourselves in postion to get a W. Should be a fun game to watch!

Thanks for the thorough reply. SH really does continue to surprise when they play bigger teams. Saint Joseph had Stipanovich 6' 4" (29pts 14 rebounds) and Nelson 6' 1" (20 points 8 rebounds) clogging up the middle and we still found a way to win by applying pressure on the guards. Stipanovich is the real deal. Her Uncle played in the NBA.

 

We are very quick and fast with plenty of basketball skill on the floor. From your observation it sounds like we will need to turnover ND guards to win this game. Voskuhl will get her points, but if we can shut down the others we should put ourselves in postion to get a W. Should be a fun game to watch!

 

I agree. ND does a good job of spacing and moves the ball well, using all five of their players. But I'm not sure they have seen a team as quick and relentless as SH. It's one of those matchups that if you were a betting man, you just stay away from!

 

On the other side, ND is long and they surprise with with how many tipped balls they get. The "normal" passing lanes shrink a little against them. I doubt they would press you, but they will get on ya in the half court.

 

I should be a promoter for this game!!! I'm in the wrong business! If it sells out, I want my cut!!!

As of Today ND has two players out of school with sickness and their point guard has an arm injury from Boone game. Not sure who will being showing up to play tommorrow nite.

I am sure they will be ready for SHA tomorrow.Nicole does a fine job

Sacred Heart has a great program with a storied history. When you walk into their gym, look up and see their banners hanging, you are already down 5. Good luck to the Pandas. I always enjoyed the loyal fans of SHA.