It will be interesting to see how the matchup of Allyssa DeHaan and Krista Phillips plays out. In the first game this year, Phillips was reasonably effective in neutralizing DeHaan's defensive/shot blocking presence. Coach Borseth believes Michigan State will use a zone defense more this game:At first glance, it would appear that Michigan coach Kevin Borseth and Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant have nothing in common.
Compared to Borseth, known for fiery antics on the sidelines and constant conversation with the scorer's table, Merchant is quiet as a hummingbird.
After her Spartans lost, 64-55, to Michigan earlier this month, Merchant looked as if she was close to bursting into tears. When Borseth lost last Sunday to Iowa, he stubbornly addressed the press.
"You're the ones writing the articles, not me," Borseth said. "You already got your titles picked out, so let's get a start to it."
Although their personalities differ, both coaches have taken similar paths to the Big Ten and have encountered each other several times along the way.
To take down the Wolverines tonight at the Breslin Center, Merchant will have to adapt her strategy from her team's disappointing performance Jan. 13 at Crisler.
In that game, Michigan held the Spartan's lanky 6-foot-9 Allyssa DeHaan to nine points and six rebounds. On offense, the Wolverines were able to pull DeHaan away from the basket by bringing sophomore Krista Phillips out of the paint.
"They're not going to allow that to happen," Borseth said. "I believe they're going to play a zone."
There is a bus trip organized by the athletic department headed to the game - a second bus was added, and (as of Wednesday afternoon) there were still seats available. More info here.
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