Coach Curt Miller and the women’s basketball team, may have beat Vanderbilt the last time the two teams met, but two seasons can make quite the difference.
The Falcons held on to beat the Commodores 59-56 during their 2007 Sweet Sixteen run into the NCAA Tournament, but this year’s team’s starting lineup is not filled with seniors like in 2007.
Combine that with injuries and illness that is plaguing the team, and BG (4-2) will probably have a tough time at No. 16 Vanderbilt (7-0) tonight.
Senior center Tara Breske is out with a knee injury and sophomore Maribeth Giese and freshman Jessie Tamerlano have been diagnosed with mono and are not expected to play.
Even with Breske out, the team tried to go inside more during their last game against St. Francis, which resulted in 26 turnovers. The Commodore coaches will probably try to get the Falcons to play that style, as Vandy has forced 167 turnovers this season.
But more important than scoring tonight may be BG’s defensive play, as three Vanderbilt starters and two of their primary bench players are shooting better than 50 percent from the field.
The Falcon defense has held opponents to a 40.4 shooting percentage this season.?
Both teams will be on quick turnarounds, as the Falcons played on Tuesday and the Commodores played Wednesday.
This game also marks the beginning of a five-game road trip for the Falcons.
