UWGB women’s basketball isn’t scared to face bigger Alabama team in NCAA tournament
UWGB women’s basketball isn’t scared to face bigger Alabama team in NCAA tournament
GREEN BAY – There might not be a person on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball team who knows better than Phoenix coach Kayla Karius how difficult it can be to guard somebody with a big size advantage.
There still is a picture of Karius floating around from 2011 during UWGB’s Sweet 16 game against Baylor.
The 6-foot Karius has her arms completely outstretched, doing her best to make it difficult for former Baylor star and 6-9 center Brittney Griner to get a shot off.
There is another image of Karius on offense getting her shot blocked by Griner, who towered over her and almost everyone she played against.
It was a difficult day at the office for the Phoenix that afternoon. Griner scored a then career-high 40 points, blocked six shots and Baylor won by 10.
But Karius never backed down, putting up 27 points and 10 rebounds as part of a scrappy UWGB team that wasn’t intimidated going up against the No. 1 seed Baylor.
“Obviously, they have a little bit more size than us, but, you know, put your hands up,” said McNeal, laughing. “Don’t be afraid of the physicality or the height. Don’t be intimidated. I think it’s more of a mindset thing going into it.
“We know the way we play. We work on our defense in practice, we are going to go in as prepared as we can. It’s really about our approach going in with our minds.”
Yes, even though the Phoenix is an early 12½-point underdog against Alabama, don’t expect it to back down from any challenge.
No matter how tall.
