SPOTLIGHT GAME OF THE WEEK
Carroll Women's Basketball (6-4, 2-1) vs. St. Norbert College (6-2, 2-0)
When: Wednesday, December 20th, 12:30 PM
Where: Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center, De Pere, Wis. (Away)
Carroll Women's Basketball hits the road to face off against the St. Norbert Green Knights in this non-conference matchup. The Pioneers come into the game with momentum from a strong start in conference play and will look to continue their winning ways. Both teams have had strong starts to the season and will be eager to put their skills to the test in a notable matchup between two evenly balanced squads.
The Pioneers have leaned heavily on the production of their standout senior guard
Olivia Rangel, who has been nothing short of electric this season. Averaging 16.3 points per game, Rangel's ability to attack the basket has made her a nightmare for opposing defenses. She's complemented by
Natalie Gricius, whose 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game make her one of Carroll's most consistent two-way players.
This game allows Carroll to compare itself to a tough opponent outside of conference play. While the Pioneers average 68.2 points per game, they will have to find answers against a St. Norbert defense that allows only 58 points per game. St. Norbert's efficiency on both sides of the court, including a 45.1% team shooting percentage, makes them a tough opponent for the Pioneers this Weekend.
Weekly Game Schedule
Wednesday, December 20th
- Women's Basketball: Carroll at St. Norbert College
- Time: 12:30 PM
- Location: Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center, De Pere, Wis. (Away)
- Men's Basketball: Carroll vs. UMass-Dartmouth
- Time: 10:00 AM EST
- Location: St. Thomas University, Miami Shores, Fla. (Cruizin Classic, Day 1)
Thursday, December 21st
- Men's Basketball: Carroll vs. Widener University
- Time: 12:00 PM
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cruizin Classic, Day 2)
Players to Watch
Women's Basketball
Averaging 16.3 points per game on 43.4% shooting, Rangel has been the engine of Carroll's offense. Her ability to get to the free-throw line (33-for-43, 76.7%) has made her a standout for this team. With 50 total rebounds (5.0 per game) and a team-high 47 assists, Rangel is a complete player who also contributes defensively with 30 steals.
Gricius continues to shine with 15.9 points per game on 45.8% shooting. She's also hitting the boards hard with 5.8 rebounds per game and leads the team in minutes played (27.1 per game). Her efficiency at the free-throw line (81.8%) and overall reliability makes her a key player against St. Norbert.
Wizner, the Pioneers' most consistent deep threat,
has made 18 three-pointers at 31.0%. With an average of 11.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, Wizner's ability to stretch the floor creates driving lanes for Rangel and Gricius.
Men's Basketball
Averaging 14.0 points per game on 53.4% shooting, Naber has been a dominant presence in the paint. He also leads the team in rebounding with 7.4 rebounds per game and contributes defensively with 9 total blocks. Naber's ability to score efficiently and control the glass will be key to Carroll's success in the Cruizin Classic.
Victorson is averaging 12.2 points per game with a 35.5% shooting mark from beyond the arc. Known for his ability to hit three-pointers, Victorson has also been a solid free-throw shooter (84.6%). His perimeter shooting will be crucial for
opening up the floor for the Pioneers' offense.
With 11.3 points per game and 4.3 rebounds, Simpson is an all-around contributor for Carroll. He's shown the ability to score, rebound, and distribute, making him a versatile threat on the floor. His defensive ability (16 steals) also makes him a key player to watch during the tournament.
Key Matchups to Watch:
Carroll's Olivia Rangel vs. St. Norbert's Taylor Thiry:
Rangel's 16.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game will need to counter Thiry's dominance in the paint. Rangel's ability to attack the rim and draw fouls (76.7% from the line) could help limit Thiry's impact on defense.
Carroll's Natalie Gricius vs. St. Norbert's Casey Jepson:
Both guards are critical to their team's offense. Gricius' versatility on the court (15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game) versus Jepson's sharpshooting (40.7% from three) will be a defining battle on the perimeter.
Carroll's Lamar Smith vs. UMass-Dartmouth's Isaac Percy:
Smith's high field goal percentage (58.1%) will face off against Percy's efficient scoring (14.4 PPG on 48.7% shooting). Both players are versatile and can impact the game on both ends of the floor, making this matchup key for their respective teams' offensive strategies.
Carroll's Kobe Simpson vs. UMass-Dartmouth's Ryan Flauto:
Simpson (11.3 PPG, 4.3 APG) will take on Flauto, who is a scoring threat for UMass-Dartmouth (11.3 PPG) and a strong presence on the boards (6.7 RPG). Simpson's ability to distribute and defend will be vital in containing Flauto's impact on both offense and rebounding.
Carroll's Jacob Naber vs. Widener's Matt Daulerio:
Naber's 14.0 PPG and 7.4 RPG will be challenged by Daulerio, Widener's leading scorer (13.4 PPG) and strong presence on the boards (4.8 RPG). This matchup will test Naber's ability to defend in the post while maintaining his offensive efficiency against Daulerio's style of play.
Team Stats to Watch
Carroll Women's Basketball
- Averaging 72.4 points per game
- 1st in CCIW for steals (13.0 per game)
- 3rd in CCIW for assists (15.9 per game)
- 1st in CCIW for field goal percentage (44.9%)
Carroll Men's Basketball
- Averaging 77.4 points per game
- 2nd in CCIW for three-pointers made (7.8 per game)
- 3rd in CCIW for steals (9.0 per game)
- Averaging 35.6 rebounds per game
Did You Know?
- Jacob Naber is third in the CCIW for rebounds
- Carroll's men's team ranks third in the CCIW for points per game with 77.4
- Carroll's womens team is first in team Fg %
- Olivia Rangel is second in assists in the CCIW
