What To Watch For: U.S. Women's National Team vs. Canada


The Women’s National Team is back in action Friday night in Connecticut with a clash against their neighbors to the north.

After what ended up being a nail-biting start to their exhibition schedule against the USA Select Team, the National Team looked much more in-sync against the French on Wednesday with a comfortable 84-62 win. Four of the squad’s five starters scored in double-figures with Tina Charles’ 17 points leading the way. The team was shrouded in American support as the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware was a hotbed of patriotism from tip-off to the final whistle.

“To hear the ‘USA!’ chant from the whole crowd, that felt really good. I haven’t had that a lot in my 14 years with the National Team. We’ve usually been playing overseas,” guard Diana Taurasi said.

The squad can expect the same level of excitement inside Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport on Friday. The arena is in the heartland of women’s basketball and in turn has an appreciation for quality ball like few other arenas in the world.

Here’s what to watch for between the United States and Canada:

It’s A Homecoming Of Sorts For Huskies On The Roster

Five of the 12 members of the Women’s National Team played their collegiate ball at the University of Connecticut, and will feel right at home in Bridgeport. While Elena Delle Donne received quite the reception at her alma mater’s court in Delaware on Wednesday, women’s basketball in Connecticut is on an entirely different level.

The National Team’s two main offensive threats, Maya Moore and Tina Charles, are Connecticut products. Also, the squad’s youngest but potentially most valuable member, Breanna Stewart, was a Huskie less than a year ago. Not to mention head coach Geno Auriemma who could practically run for governor of the state because of all the success he’s had at UConn. If your name is Charles, Moore, Stewart, Taurasi or Bird, this game means a little more.

Moore on if the team will be able to work through the offensive kinks before Rio?

“Yes, I think we will. Every day that we are together, we continue to get more comfortable with each other, continue to be able to read each other, learn each other’s instincts and where we like it. Again, the longer that we are together, the more comfortable we are going to get with each other.”

Tina Charles’ Versatile Scoring Attack 

Charles may be listed as a center on the Liberty roster, but she’s no prisoner to the block. While she has always had a bevy of post moves, as her career has gone on she’s developed a smooth midrange game that makes her lethal within 15 feet.

The WNBA’s leading scorer (21.4 points per game) looked a bit hesitant against the Select Team, but seemed right at home against France. Her team-high 17 points came in a variety of layups, fadeaway jumpers and aggressive moves to the rim that left her defender’s head spinning. It was the kind of performance that’s solidified her place as a real candidate for WNBA MVP at season’s end. Against Canada, Charles will again be the focal point of the United States’ offense and she will get an array of quality looks. The Liberty’s star has a game that is tailor-made for Olympic success.

Coach Auriemma on Tina’s improvement: 

“She’s really good at using her body around the basket. When she came to UConn her freshman year, she really didn’t have that 15-footer; now it’s like automatic for her. So she’s done what a professional is expected to do, and that’s why she is where she is.”

Leadership Starts With Diana Taurasi 

On a team full of so much talent, it would be hard for most coaches to discern who the emotional leader would be, but then again most coaches aren’t Geno Auriemma, and they don’t have players like Diana Taurasi. Taurasi wears her soul on her sleeve and plays with her heart in the soles of her feet. The 34-year-old point guard has won every award imaginable on every level, including three Olympic gold medals.

Although Taurasi’s once frenetic-paced game has slowed down a bit, her will to win is still just as insatiable. Watching a natural-born leader like Taurasi play chess master with the best talent the women’s basketball world has to offer is must-see TV no matter the time or place.

Taurasi on the team’s depth: 

“It’s always been our greatest strength. We don’t get the time to prepare; we don’t get the time to practice together.  We just go and play these exhibition games. Our greatest strength has always been our numbers.”

 

Fever Teammates Set To Face Off 

In the regular season, Tamika Catchings and Natalie Achonwa are teammates, but on Friday and in Rio they will be foes. “Catch” is a WNBA legend who is in her final season in the league, but hasn’t slowed down one bit and still is putting up 13.7 points per game in her 15th season.

On the other hand, Achonwa was drafted No. 9 overall in 2014 by the Fever but missed her entire rookie season due to an injury she suffered at Notre Dame. In the two seasons since, she’s averaged 6.2 points per game. She may not feature heavily in the Fever’s offense, but she’s the go-to scoring option for the Canadian National Team.

It’s always intriguing when teammates become opponents in international play and this will be no different. Both play forward and likely will see sets where they are matched up head-to-head. They’ve done it in practice, and now it’s time to see what it feels like with so much more on the line.

Catchings on Team USA’s chemistry:

“It’s that mutual respect and just knowing what each person brings to the table. I don’t have to doubt that Sue [Bird] and D [Diana Taurasi] are going to be ready; they don’t have to doubt that I’m going to be ready. We just have to make sure, as the leaders and captains of this team, make sure that our team is ready to go.”