Home | Live Now! | Try it Now
NCAA women's tournament: Michigan State vs. Iowa State
 
9:00
Kyle Meinke -  

Hello everybody, and welcome to The Grand Rapids Press and MLive's real-time coverage of the NCAA women's tournament Sweet 16.

9:00
Kyle Meinke -  

The starting lineups are being announced right now, and we should be underway momentarily.

9:01
Kyle Meinke -  

Nice round of applause for MSU coach Suzy Merchant and former Grandville High School standout Allyssa DeHaan.

9:02
Kyle Meinke -  

Today's game is between the ninth-seeded Michigan State Spartans (22-10) and fourth-seeded Iowa State Cyclones (26-8).

9:02
[Comment From X]
I hope you have a TV nearby and are able to catch the end of the Pitt/Nova classic.
9:02
Kyle Meinke -  

Thanks for the tip X, but I won't be able to.

9:02
Kyle Meinke -  

But hopefully, this one turns into a classic as well :)

9:03
Kyle Meinke -  

Quick score for Lykendra Johnson, and MSU is off to a good start.

9:03
Kyle Meinke -  

A quick reminder folks -- the NCAA prevents this blog from doing too much play-by-play.

9:03
Kyle Meinke -  

Hopefully, I'll be able to provie analysis and a first-hand perspective of today's matchup.

9:04
Kyle Meinke -  

MSU is considered the underdog today against this very talented and well-coached Iowa State team, but I think they have a great chance as long as they can defend the perimeter.

9:05
Kyle Meinke -  

Allyssa DeHaan breaks through in the scoring column, and MSU has a quick 5-0 lead in the early going.

9:05
Kyle Meinke -  

The Cyclones are one of the most dangerous 3-point shooting teams in the nation. They hit more than 8 3-pointers per game at a 35.1-percent shooting clip.

9:06
Kyle Meinke -  

But, MSU was the Big Ten's best team this season at defending the long ball. If they can continue that trend, they should be in good shape.

9:06
Kyle Meinke -  

MSU has a definite size advantage in the front court with the 6-foot-9 Allyssa DeHaan, who already has 4 points.

9:07
Kyle Meinke -  

To help neutralize the ISU 3-point shooting, I would expect coach Suzy Merchant to play Lykendra Johnson at the top of the 2-3 zone she has been using frequently in the tournament.

9:08
Kyle Meinke -  

L. Johnson is MSU's most athletic guard, and her size -- she's 6-foot-1 -- should help limit the Cyclones' open looks on the perimeter.

9:08
Kyle Meinke -  

A. DeHaan scored again, and she is off to a great start.

9:08
Kyle Meinke -  

6 points in the early going here in Berkeley, Calif.

9:09
Kyle Meinke -  

Timeout. MSU has a 9-4 lead with 15:39 to play in the first half.

    Page 1  Next >
 
Powered by: CoveritLive  Reader Information