swok34
11-04-2003, 12:40 PM
I believe the preseason coaches poll comes out later today...
here's a variety of articles to come from ESPN this week:
The ESPN Preview:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?page=2003preview_index
Nancy Lieberman's rankings (Big XII) only listed:
3. Texas Longhorns (29-6)
The top four scorers -- including a trio of Wade Trophy candidates in Stacy Stephens, Heather Schreiber and Jamie Carey -- from last season' s Final Four team are back. This is a really good halfcourt team with great balance, but everything goes through Stephens, who averaged 14.4 points last season and really opens up the wings if she does her job inside. Carey, the former Stanford player who is in her second season at Texas, was an integral part of last season's success. She showed she can score, run the team and distribute the ball. Kala Bowers, Nina Norman (remember that big shot she hit against Tennessee last season as a freshman?) and Tiffany Jackson, one of the top high school prospects who chose Texas over Tennessee, will keep the Longhorns heavy favorites.
4. Kansas State Wildcats (29-5)
With the best center in the country in Nicole Ohlde and three of the nation's most talented juniors (Kendra Wecker, Megan Mahoney, Laurie Koehn), the Wildcats have plenty of talent. But after impressive regular-season runs, Kansas State suffered a couple of disappointing finishes in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons (losing to ODU in 2002 and then at home to Notre Dame in the second round last March). Everybody thought this was a Final Four team a year ago, and it should have been. Kansas State has plenty to prove this season and must step it up.
18. Texas Tech Lady Raiders (29-6)
When Plenette Pierson was suspended two years ago, Jia Perkins got an early introduction to what it would take to be the Lady Techsters' leader. Now that Pierson has graduated to the WNBA, Perkins should have no problem stepping up her game to an even higher level for her senior season. Sophomore point guard Erin Grant, junior center Cisti Greenwalt and senior guard Natalie Ritchie also are all very talented. Greenwalt has been very impressive at Tech. She's big, can run and likes to get in the middle and mix it up. Expect Perkins to improve on her 1-for-19 performance from 3-point land last season.
22. Oklahoma Sooners (19-13)
The Sooners had probably one of their worst moments in program history last year on Nov. 26 when two players -- including Caton Hill, a starter from the previous year's Final Four team -- each suffered a torn ACL on the same day. Still, OU forged on for a 19-13 record and NCAA invitation. The silver lining, however, was that several young players, especially Beky Preston, got a lot of valuable experience and playing time. And now, OU returns 78 percent of its scoring and 69 percent of its rebounding from 2002-03. Hill's return provides an immediate boost; she's one of the top power forwards in the game, loves to attack the basket and is a hard-nosed veteran with 29 career double-doubles. Senior Maria Villarroel (15 points per game last season), junior Dionnah Jackson (11.8) and Chelsi Welch, who averaged 12.1 points last year as the Big 12's co-freshman of the year, also return and anchor a solid backcourt. Villarroel, who ranked 14th in the nation in field-goal percentage (57.6), had an outstanding summer of international competition, averaging 23 points for the Venezuelan national team.
23. Colorado Buffaloes (24-8)
The Buffs had a terrific season in 2002-03, and as has become the norm for Ceal Barry, were one of the finest defensive teams you'll ever see with man-to-man principles. That defense will be back again this season to disrupt other teams, get in the passing lanes and on the glass and build on ball pressure. Colorado had a very exciting run last season in the regionals, and with its top two scorers back, should be able to build on that momentum. The key for Colorado is whether the Buffs can keep the score low and close; their defense is so good that it gives them the opportunity to win every game if it's a tight margin down the stretch.
here's a variety of articles to come from ESPN this week:
The ESPN Preview:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?page=2003preview_index
Nancy Lieberman's rankings (Big XII) only listed:
3. Texas Longhorns (29-6)
The top four scorers -- including a trio of Wade Trophy candidates in Stacy Stephens, Heather Schreiber and Jamie Carey -- from last season' s Final Four team are back. This is a really good halfcourt team with great balance, but everything goes through Stephens, who averaged 14.4 points last season and really opens up the wings if she does her job inside. Carey, the former Stanford player who is in her second season at Texas, was an integral part of last season's success. She showed she can score, run the team and distribute the ball. Kala Bowers, Nina Norman (remember that big shot she hit against Tennessee last season as a freshman?) and Tiffany Jackson, one of the top high school prospects who chose Texas over Tennessee, will keep the Longhorns heavy favorites.
4. Kansas State Wildcats (29-5)
With the best center in the country in Nicole Ohlde and three of the nation's most talented juniors (Kendra Wecker, Megan Mahoney, Laurie Koehn), the Wildcats have plenty of talent. But after impressive regular-season runs, Kansas State suffered a couple of disappointing finishes in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons (losing to ODU in 2002 and then at home to Notre Dame in the second round last March). Everybody thought this was a Final Four team a year ago, and it should have been. Kansas State has plenty to prove this season and must step it up.
18. Texas Tech Lady Raiders (29-6)
When Plenette Pierson was suspended two years ago, Jia Perkins got an early introduction to what it would take to be the Lady Techsters' leader. Now that Pierson has graduated to the WNBA, Perkins should have no problem stepping up her game to an even higher level for her senior season. Sophomore point guard Erin Grant, junior center Cisti Greenwalt and senior guard Natalie Ritchie also are all very talented. Greenwalt has been very impressive at Tech. She's big, can run and likes to get in the middle and mix it up. Expect Perkins to improve on her 1-for-19 performance from 3-point land last season.
22. Oklahoma Sooners (19-13)
The Sooners had probably one of their worst moments in program history last year on Nov. 26 when two players -- including Caton Hill, a starter from the previous year's Final Four team -- each suffered a torn ACL on the same day. Still, OU forged on for a 19-13 record and NCAA invitation. The silver lining, however, was that several young players, especially Beky Preston, got a lot of valuable experience and playing time. And now, OU returns 78 percent of its scoring and 69 percent of its rebounding from 2002-03. Hill's return provides an immediate boost; she's one of the top power forwards in the game, loves to attack the basket and is a hard-nosed veteran with 29 career double-doubles. Senior Maria Villarroel (15 points per game last season), junior Dionnah Jackson (11.8) and Chelsi Welch, who averaged 12.1 points last year as the Big 12's co-freshman of the year, also return and anchor a solid backcourt. Villarroel, who ranked 14th in the nation in field-goal percentage (57.6), had an outstanding summer of international competition, averaging 23 points for the Venezuelan national team.
23. Colorado Buffaloes (24-8)
The Buffs had a terrific season in 2002-03, and as has become the norm for Ceal Barry, were one of the finest defensive teams you'll ever see with man-to-man principles. That defense will be back again this season to disrupt other teams, get in the passing lanes and on the glass and build on ball pressure. Colorado had a very exciting run last season in the regionals, and with its top two scorers back, should be able to build on that momentum. The key for Colorado is whether the Buffs can keep the score low and close; their defense is so good that it gives them the opportunity to win every game if it's a tight margin down the stretch.