Recap The Court

Jacob Smith

The reigning champs the Carleton Ravens, are back in the playoffs, but with the top seed and ranked first in the country. After a 21-1 season, they host the 15-7 McMaster Marauders who are coming off of surviving a last second win over the Laurier Golden Hawks.

The recipe for the Ravens win lies solely in their defence. We know what Carleton can do offensively and what Kali Pocrnic can create, but being able to slow down McMaster will make it a lot more comfortable. McMaster loves to shoot the three ball and if that’s not there they catch and go to the rim looking for a layup or a foul. Carleton’s guards defence and their ability to play tight on the perimeter will be the key to stopping the high powered McMaster offence.

Not giving the McMaster guards separation to get a shot off or attack off a screen, and forcing them to hold onto the ball passing left to right will help slow down the pace to where Carleton can take advantage and get opportunities going the other way. Inside the paint, Jacqueline Urban and Hadeza Ismaila will have to defend Cassie Joli-Coeur and keep her off the glass to avoid any second chance threes.

For the Marauders, it’s don’t allow Kali to get downhill. Whether it’s stunting or switching screens, not allowing Kali to attack vertical and create off that drive is important to slowing down the Ravens offence. When the guards are able to get penetration and create passing lanes to the corner is when you get the Ravens in total flow offensively.

How the guards are able to stop the Ravens drives and keep them off schedule in the half court may give them opportunities for players like Deanna Mataseje and Jenna Button to get steals and work the other way.

McMaster survived a 72-71 game against the Laurier Golden Hawks. Carleton comes in with rest and the top seed giving them home court throughout the playoffs. Both teams have momentum on their side but only one team will move on to the semifinals.