Gameday: Mystics at Sky

The Mystics have proven -- quite a few times now -- that they can challenge almost any opponent to a tight game that goes down to the final buzzer. While it makes for exciting basketball, it isn't always the situation they'd like to have. Slow starts are becoming a concern, and the Mystics need to start taking control of their fate from the get-go rather than wait until they're backed into a corner.

Tipoff: 8 p.m., UIC Pavilion
Stream the game online via LiveAccess by going here and downloading the plugin for Windows or Mac.

What to Watch For

*Other than seeing if Washington's post-game frustrations after digging itself into a hole it couldn't climb out of against Phoenix leads to an immediate jump start in the first quarter, not the second or third, a big key for the Mystics against Chicago will be rebounding.

The Sky is a tall team with an extraordinarily talented front-court. In Washington a week ago the Mystics were able to keep Sylvia Fowles somewhat under control, but that only occurred with the dual efforts of Chasity Melvin and Crystal Langhorne on the boards in the second half.

Langhorne's confidence continues to grow, but not many players can really do an effective job of neutralizing Fowles on their own so it will need to be a group task once again.

*Former Terps standout Kristi Toliver had a strong showing against the Mystics in that 81-72 Washington win over the Sky on June 20. The Mystics, particularly Alana Beard, was able to take advantage of her defensive miscues from time to time though. I'm curious to see how both teams adjust to each other a week later.

Probable Starters

For Washington: PG Lindsey Harding, G Alana Beard, F Monique Currie, F Nakia Sanford and C Chasity Melvin.

For Chicago: PG Jia Perkins, G Dominique Canty, F Brook Wyckoff, F Candace Dupree and C Sylvia Fowles.