Well, my pregame rituals are complete. I slapped hands with Nicky Wieben's and Lyndsey Medders' mom, just like before every other game the Cyclones have won this tournament.
There's a good showing from ISU fans here, however, clearly outnumbered by Oklahoma fans, but that comes as no surprise.
And here are the keys to the game, 17 minutes before tip:
1) Wieben needs to keep her speed up, her fouls down and try to establish something inside. It doesn't have to be much, but she has a good cut move under the hoop, and needs to get her shots to fall early on.
2) Contain Jenna Plumley. Try and use her youth as a freshman to their advantage. Her 24 points two nights ago doomed th Baylor Bears.
3) Get Courtney Paris in foul trouble. Paris has a great move under the hoop, but that means she's prone to a charge or two. The Cyclones need to get her in foul trouble early.
4) Shoot the ball well. A slow start, or a long period of scoring droughts will bury the Cyclones, whether it's early in the game or late in the game. Iowa State is in its biggest game of the season -- of their careers -- and it's going to be a very, VERY tough game to win.
5) Take the crowd out of the game early, and don't let it back in. The Sooners have fed off their crowd this whole tournament, and they will continue to do so.
And that's it. 13:30 until the tip. The nerves are up, the atmosphere electric.
Bring a little Hilton Magic to the South!
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