This is the eleventh in a series previewing the Pac-12 teams
As Washington State coach June Daugherty enters the seventh and final year of her contract, her record is 56-129: a 30 percent winning margin. Will she be re-signed at the end of the year? Probably. The coach before her - Sherri Murrell - had a record of 27-114. The bar for the Cougars is set low.
They are likely to have a record similar to what it was last season (11-20) due to a collection of good and bad factors that cancel each other out.
On the upside, sophomore Lia Galdeira (14.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) returns, and dynamic junior guard Tia Presley (13.3 ppg) is back after having her season cut short last year with an ACL tear. Out of the three players lost from 2013, only one was a starter, and all five freshman stayed and are now sophomores. With only one freshman this year, continuity will be maintained and players will have more experience overall.
On the down side, there is a steep drop off in offensive production between Galdeira and Presley and the rest of the team. Senior guard/forward Sage Romberg (6.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and sophomore Mariah Cooks (5.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg) are the next leading scorers, and everyone else has 3.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg or less. The newcomer is forward Ivana Kmetovska, from Macedonia. The remainder of the Cougars will have to step way up.
Daugherty's defenders like to say that you can't recruit to Eastern Washington. But tell that to Gonzaga, which sells out just about every home game in their 6,000-seat arena just a few miles up the road. WSU just doesn't pay much attention to women's hoops, so mediocrity is the norm.
Strangely enough, however, the Cougars like to schedule games against quality opponents as if they were actual contenders. In preconference play they'll face Syracuse, West Virginia, BYU, Nebraska, Dayton and Gonzaga. They open their Pac-12 schedule at home, Jan. 3, against Arizona State.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Plot lines
The diversity in what is going on daily within the nation's college basketball teams never ceases to amaze:
Georgia coach Andy Landers has suspended sophomore guards Marjorie Butler and Tiaria Griffin for "failure to adhere to standards of the program." They will sit out three games.
Cal is ready for a journey back to the Final Four.
Purdue's lineup is not set in stone.
Baylor is about to look very different without Brittney Griner.
Kansas is looking for sustained success, after two great years.
Kentucky isn't worried that the NCAA's new rules limiting contact will declaw their defense.
The Matt Insell era is on tap at Ole Miss.
Kansas State is looking for a leader.
UNCW hopes their winning attitude fosters a faster revival.
Utah's Michelle Plouffe is emerging from a long shadow.
Louisville's Tia Gibbs is in a class of her own.
Eugenia McPherson plans to lead St. John's to a fifth consecutive Tournament bid.
Former North Dakota State coach Amy Ruley has a lasting influence.
Georgia coach Andy Landers has suspended sophomore guards Marjorie Butler and Tiaria Griffin for "failure to adhere to standards of the program." They will sit out three games.
Cal is ready for a journey back to the Final Four.
Purdue's lineup is not set in stone.
Baylor is about to look very different without Brittney Griner.
Kansas is looking for sustained success, after two great years.
Kentucky isn't worried that the NCAA's new rules limiting contact will declaw their defense.
The Matt Insell era is on tap at Ole Miss.
Kansas State is looking for a leader.
UNCW hopes their winning attitude fosters a faster revival.
Utah's Michelle Plouffe is emerging from a long shadow.
Louisville's Tia Gibbs is in a class of her own.
Eugenia McPherson plans to lead St. John's to a fifth consecutive Tournament bid.
Former North Dakota State coach Amy Ruley has a lasting influence.
Friday, November 1, 2013
UConn players speak out against discriminiation
UConn players are speaking out against discrimination against lesbian and bisexual athletes in women's sports:
Four members of the team created a video for the Br(ache (pronounced Break) the Silence campaign to say gay athletes are welcome at UConn, and bullying people because of their sexual orientation is not tolerated.
Center Stefanie Dolson said she and her teammates feel strongly about the issue, and believe a message needed to be sent, that it's OK for women to be who they are, and that everyone deserves respect.
"I think there is definitely a stigma or a stereotype in women's basketball and other women's sports, like softball and hockey, of women being gay just because they play a sport," she said. "What we're saying is that even if we are gay or bisexual, it shouldn't matter, because we're people."
Awesome.
Other college news:
Doctors have offered an optimistic update for North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell, who is battling leukemia.
Ex-Oakland University coach Beckie Francis is suing the school, demanding details about why she was ousted.
The NCAA has reversed its decision and will let Kaneisha Atwater play for FGCU.
At Michigan, they are still determining their roles.
Kentucky's assistant athletic director for women's basketball, Ukari Figgs, is stepping down to take and engineering job at Toyota.
Off the court with Detroit's DaVonna Bradford.
Four members of the team created a video for the Br(ache (pronounced Break) the Silence campaign to say gay athletes are welcome at UConn, and bullying people because of their sexual orientation is not tolerated.
Center Stefanie Dolson said she and her teammates feel strongly about the issue, and believe a message needed to be sent, that it's OK for women to be who they are, and that everyone deserves respect.
"I think there is definitely a stigma or a stereotype in women's basketball and other women's sports, like softball and hockey, of women being gay just because they play a sport," she said. "What we're saying is that even if we are gay or bisexual, it shouldn't matter, because we're people."
Awesome.
Other college news:
Doctors have offered an optimistic update for North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell, who is battling leukemia.
Ex-Oakland University coach Beckie Francis is suing the school, demanding details about why she was ousted.
The NCAA has reversed its decision and will let Kaneisha Atwater play for FGCU.
At Michigan, they are still determining their roles.
Kentucky's assistant athletic director for women's basketball, Ukari Figgs, is stepping down to take and engineering job at Toyota.
Off the court with Detroit's DaVonna Bradford.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Pac-12 preview: the University of Arizona
This is the tenth in a series previewing the Pac-12 teams
After some success a few years ago under sixth-year coach Niya Butts, the Arizona Wildcats are going to have to rebuild this season.
They are beginning with significant losses. First came leading scorer Davellyn White (17.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), who was drafted into the WNBA after graduation last spring. Then last week senior forward Alli Gloyd (9.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg) tore her ACL and is out for the year.
The Wildcats still have their remaining three starters: senior guard/forward Kama Griffits (10.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), senior forward Erica Barnes (8.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and senior guard Carissa Crutchfield (6.3 ppg). Junior guard Candice Warthen also returns after sitting out last year with an injury. She averaged 11.7 ppg the season prior to that. Two sophomore reserve guards are back as well, in Nyre Harris and Keyahndra Cannon.
Five newcomers round out the roster, which means Arizona will lack depth unless the new players can learn quickly.
Farrin Bell is a sophomore guard who transferred from SMU, where she averaged 3.4 ppg last year. The remaining new players are freshmen: forwards Dezja James, LaBrittney Jones and Breanna Workman, and guard Ashley Merrill. Jones was ranked 87th in the 2013 class, and 23rd at her position, while Workman was ranked 70th among forwards. Neither James nor Merrill were ranked.
Last year the Wildcats finished tenth in the Pac-12, and coaches tabbed them to finish eleventh in a preseason poll. Their WNIT appearance in 2011 and their last NCAA Tournament run in 2005 seem very far off.
Arizona takes on UC Santa Barbara, Pacific, Wake Forest, BYU and Texas Tech in preconference play. They begin their Pac-12 schedule Jan. 3, at the University of Washington.
After some success a few years ago under sixth-year coach Niya Butts, the Arizona Wildcats are going to have to rebuild this season.
They are beginning with significant losses. First came leading scorer Davellyn White (17.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), who was drafted into the WNBA after graduation last spring. Then last week senior forward Alli Gloyd (9.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg) tore her ACL and is out for the year.
The Wildcats still have their remaining three starters: senior guard/forward Kama Griffits (10.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), senior forward Erica Barnes (8.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and senior guard Carissa Crutchfield (6.3 ppg). Junior guard Candice Warthen also returns after sitting out last year with an injury. She averaged 11.7 ppg the season prior to that. Two sophomore reserve guards are back as well, in Nyre Harris and Keyahndra Cannon.
Five newcomers round out the roster, which means Arizona will lack depth unless the new players can learn quickly.
Farrin Bell is a sophomore guard who transferred from SMU, where she averaged 3.4 ppg last year. The remaining new players are freshmen: forwards Dezja James, LaBrittney Jones and Breanna Workman, and guard Ashley Merrill. Jones was ranked 87th in the 2013 class, and 23rd at her position, while Workman was ranked 70th among forwards. Neither James nor Merrill were ranked.
Last year the Wildcats finished tenth in the Pac-12, and coaches tabbed them to finish eleventh in a preseason poll. Their WNIT appearance in 2011 and their last NCAA Tournament run in 2005 seem very far off.
Arizona takes on UC Santa Barbara, Pacific, Wake Forest, BYU and Texas Tech in preconference play. They begin their Pac-12 schedule Jan. 3, at the University of Washington.
Colleges big and small, news all
The SEC wants to end their recent absence at the Final Four.
Duke's Rebecca Greenwell is making progress in rehab.
Ten thoughts about UConn. Brianna Banks is back from injury and ready to compete.
There is an intense battle at power forward, for Iowa's final starting spot. Hawkeye players describe themselves as scrappy. Persistence has paid off for Theairra Taylor.
Texas A&M coach Gary Blair's contract has been extended through the 20-17-2018 season.
Auburn preview: the wings.
Richmond senior guard Becca Wann will miss the season after sustaining a concussion.
New Pitt coach Suzie McConnell-Serio has identified a fragile confidence in her team. They will rely on their returning starters to lead them into ACC play.
Wisconsin coach Bobbie Kelsey is irked by her team's snub in preseason polls.
For Cincinnati's Bianca Quisenberry, basketball goes deep into the family lineage.
Hartford has lost two players to torn ACLs - again.
Sacramento State's Fantasia Hilliard continues to thrive at point guard.
Tammy Sutton-Brown will be inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame.
Duke's Rebecca Greenwell is making progress in rehab.
Ten thoughts about UConn. Brianna Banks is back from injury and ready to compete.
There is an intense battle at power forward, for Iowa's final starting spot. Hawkeye players describe themselves as scrappy. Persistence has paid off for Theairra Taylor.
Texas A&M coach Gary Blair's contract has been extended through the 20-17-2018 season.
Auburn preview: the wings.
Richmond senior guard Becca Wann will miss the season after sustaining a concussion.
New Pitt coach Suzie McConnell-Serio has identified a fragile confidence in her team. They will rely on their returning starters to lead them into ACC play.
Wisconsin coach Bobbie Kelsey is irked by her team's snub in preseason polls.
For Cincinnati's Bianca Quisenberry, basketball goes deep into the family lineage.
Hartford has lost two players to torn ACLs - again.
Sacramento State's Fantasia Hilliard continues to thrive at point guard.
Tammy Sutton-Brown will be inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Senior CLASS Award 2014 candidates announced
The preseason candidates:
Name Position School
Gennifer Brandon Forward California
Heather Butler Guard UT Martin
Alyssa Charlston Post Idaho
Hallie Christofferson Forward Iowa State
Jerica Coley Guard FIU
Allyson DiMagno Forward Cornell
Alexis Dobbs Guard American
Stefanie Dolson Center Connecticut
Jamierra Faulkner Point Guard Southern Mississippi
Ataira Franklin Guard Virginia
Chelsea Gray Guard Duke
Sarah Hansen Guard Florida Gulf Coast
Cassie Harberts Forward USC
Jordan Hooper Forward Nebraska
Natasha Howard Forward Florida State
Amanda Hyde Guard IPFW
Maggie Lucas Guard Penn State
Dequesha McClanahan Guard Winthrop
Sarah Nelson Forward Creighton
Eilise O’Connor Point Guard UMKC
Chiney Ogwumike Forward Stanford
Haley Peters Forward Duke
Theresa Plaisance Forward LSU
Michelle Plouffe Forward Utah
Odyssey Sims Guard Baylor
Alex Smith Guard Holy Cross
Kacie Sowell Forward Seattle
DeNesha Stallworth Forward Kentucky
Rachel Tecca Forward Akron
Alli Williams Forward Saint Francis
Name Position School
Gennifer Brandon Forward California
Heather Butler Guard UT Martin
Alyssa Charlston Post Idaho
Hallie Christofferson Forward Iowa State
Jerica Coley Guard FIU
Allyson DiMagno Forward Cornell
Alexis Dobbs Guard American
Stefanie Dolson Center Connecticut
Jamierra Faulkner Point Guard Southern Mississippi
Ataira Franklin Guard Virginia
Chelsea Gray Guard Duke
Sarah Hansen Guard Florida Gulf Coast
Cassie Harberts Forward USC
Jordan Hooper Forward Nebraska
Natasha Howard Forward Florida State
Amanda Hyde Guard IPFW
Maggie Lucas Guard Penn State
Dequesha McClanahan Guard Winthrop
Sarah Nelson Forward Creighton
Eilise O’Connor Point Guard UMKC
Chiney Ogwumike Forward Stanford
Haley Peters Forward Duke
Theresa Plaisance Forward LSU
Michelle Plouffe Forward Utah
Odyssey Sims Guard Baylor
Alex Smith Guard Holy Cross
Kacie Sowell Forward Seattle
DeNesha Stallworth Forward Kentucky
Rachel Tecca Forward Akron
Alli Williams Forward Saint Francis
Some sad news among the goodies
More injuries and illnesses:
Notre Dame senior forward Natalie Achonwa will miss 4-6 weeks with a meniscus tear.
Kentucky freshman forward Kyvin Goodlin-Rogers is out for the season after being diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism this week.
Other college news:
The Lady Vols are hoping better unity produces a better finish.
Stanford wants to forget last season's disappointment.
There is a lot to like at Penn State.
The University of San Francisco has an infusion of youth and passion this season.
Purdue will have new promotions this year.
Pat Summitt:
....left the hospital today after a three-day stay. She was undergoing routine tests, her spokesman said.
Notre Dame senior forward Natalie Achonwa will miss 4-6 weeks with a meniscus tear.
Kentucky freshman forward Kyvin Goodlin-Rogers is out for the season after being diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism this week.
Other college news:
The Lady Vols are hoping better unity produces a better finish.
Stanford wants to forget last season's disappointment.
There is a lot to like at Penn State.
The University of San Francisco has an infusion of youth and passion this season.
Purdue will have new promotions this year.
Pat Summitt:
....left the hospital today after a three-day stay. She was undergoing routine tests, her spokesman said.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Pac-12 preview: Stanford University
This is the ninth in a series previewing the Pac-12 teams
Each of the last few years, as Stanford has graduated players and reloaded with a little less ammunition, the question has been: can they keep up the tradition of dominance? The one that has earned them most of the Pac-12 titles in the history of the conference tournament, and five consecutive Final Four appearances from 2008-2012?
The question remains the same this season.
Second-leading scorer Joslyn Tinkle graduated last spring. Then the Cardinal were hit with bad news over the summer, when junior guard Toni Kokenis (7.7 ppg) was forced to take a medical retirement after sustaining too many concussions. Last month redshirt freshman Aly Beebe medically retired after tearing her Anterior Cruciate Ligament for a third time. Kokenis was the team's fourth-leading scorer, and provided a spark on the court with her inspired play.
Star senior forward Chiney Ogwumike (22.4 ppg, 12.9 rpg) will lead Stanford, as she did last year, and junior Amber Orrange (10.8 ppg) has been solid at point guard since her freshman year. The other returning starters - senior guard Sara James (5.3 ppg) and senior forward Mikaela Ruef (4.2 ppg) - score much less, as does the rest of the team.
Other junior returnees are forward Bonnie Samuelson (5.4 ppg), forward Taylor Greenfield (3.9 ppg) and forward Erica Payne (1 ppg). Redshirt sophomores Alex Green and Jasmine Camp will play this year, as will forward/center Tess Picknell. All returning players will need to step up.
The rest of the Pac-12 seems to be catching up to the Cardinal. Last year they edged out Cal for conference bragging rights by a tiebreaker, after splitting the regular-season series. In the Pac-12 Tournament title game Stanford had to fight for the win, as opposed to their usual blowout of opponents.
Despite losing Jeannette Pohlen and Kayla Pedersen in 2011 and Nneka Ogwumike in 2012, the Cardinal have found ways to win, and win big at times. Last year they kicked off the season by snapping Baylor's long winning streak, and they ranked in the top five for most of the season afterwards.
It is a tribute to the experience and meticulousness of coach Tara VanDerveer, who enters her 28th year at Stanford this season, that her team has made the most of what it has had. Their hope in paving a strong future might lie in this year's newcomers.
Forward Erica McCall was ranked 11th overall in the 2013 class, and third at her position. Forward Kailee Johnson was ranked 20th overall and fifth at her position. Guard Karlie Samuelson was 77th overall and 20th among guards. Guard Briana Roberson was ranked 58th at her position. It is the highest-ranked class for the Cardinal in a few years. A fifth freshman, Lili Thompson, wasn't ranked.
Stanford will need to figure it out fast, as they take on defending champions Connecticut Nov. 11. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. Other preconference opponents include Texas, Purdue, Florida Gulf Coast, Gonzaga and Tennessee. The Cardinal kick off conference play Jan. 3 at home, against Oregon.
Each of the last few years, as Stanford has graduated players and reloaded with a little less ammunition, the question has been: can they keep up the tradition of dominance? The one that has earned them most of the Pac-12 titles in the history of the conference tournament, and five consecutive Final Four appearances from 2008-2012?
The question remains the same this season.
Second-leading scorer Joslyn Tinkle graduated last spring. Then the Cardinal were hit with bad news over the summer, when junior guard Toni Kokenis (7.7 ppg) was forced to take a medical retirement after sustaining too many concussions. Last month redshirt freshman Aly Beebe medically retired after tearing her Anterior Cruciate Ligament for a third time. Kokenis was the team's fourth-leading scorer, and provided a spark on the court with her inspired play.
Star senior forward Chiney Ogwumike (22.4 ppg, 12.9 rpg) will lead Stanford, as she did last year, and junior Amber Orrange (10.8 ppg) has been solid at point guard since her freshman year. The other returning starters - senior guard Sara James (5.3 ppg) and senior forward Mikaela Ruef (4.2 ppg) - score much less, as does the rest of the team.
Other junior returnees are forward Bonnie Samuelson (5.4 ppg), forward Taylor Greenfield (3.9 ppg) and forward Erica Payne (1 ppg). Redshirt sophomores Alex Green and Jasmine Camp will play this year, as will forward/center Tess Picknell. All returning players will need to step up.
The rest of the Pac-12 seems to be catching up to the Cardinal. Last year they edged out Cal for conference bragging rights by a tiebreaker, after splitting the regular-season series. In the Pac-12 Tournament title game Stanford had to fight for the win, as opposed to their usual blowout of opponents.
Despite losing Jeannette Pohlen and Kayla Pedersen in 2011 and Nneka Ogwumike in 2012, the Cardinal have found ways to win, and win big at times. Last year they kicked off the season by snapping Baylor's long winning streak, and they ranked in the top five for most of the season afterwards.
It is a tribute to the experience and meticulousness of coach Tara VanDerveer, who enters her 28th year at Stanford this season, that her team has made the most of what it has had. Their hope in paving a strong future might lie in this year's newcomers.
Forward Erica McCall was ranked 11th overall in the 2013 class, and third at her position. Forward Kailee Johnson was ranked 20th overall and fifth at her position. Guard Karlie Samuelson was 77th overall and 20th among guards. Guard Briana Roberson was ranked 58th at her position. It is the highest-ranked class for the Cardinal in a few years. A fifth freshman, Lili Thompson, wasn't ranked.
Stanford will need to figure it out fast, as they take on defending champions Connecticut Nov. 11. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. Other preconference opponents include Texas, Purdue, Florida Gulf Coast, Gonzaga and Tennessee. The Cardinal kick off conference play Jan. 3 at home, against Oregon.
Nine days til tip off
ESPN's college game TV schedule for the season.
Full schedule of games for opening day, Friday, Nov. 8.
Other college news:
The Big East Conference has hired former Phoenix Mercury COO Amber Cox as its associate commissioner of women's basketball. She left the Mercury to work with former WNBA president and Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman. (The entire WNBA misses Val).
Former San Diego State coach Beth Burns claims her firing last spring was retaliation from the school.
A group of U.S. Marines have been training LSU players this fall.
Experience looks to drive Western Michigan this year.
Maya Moore:
Did you check out Maya Moore's performance in the "Uncle Drew: Chapter 3" video?
Lynx:
Mike Peden's great championship homecoming video.
Pat Summitt:
The legendary Lady Vols coach was admitted to the hospital Sunday for routine medical tests. She was expected to be released this afternoon.
Full schedule of games for opening day, Friday, Nov. 8.
Other college news:
The Big East Conference has hired former Phoenix Mercury COO Amber Cox as its associate commissioner of women's basketball. She left the Mercury to work with former WNBA president and Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman. (The entire WNBA misses Val).
Former San Diego State coach Beth Burns claims her firing last spring was retaliation from the school.
A group of U.S. Marines have been training LSU players this fall.
Experience looks to drive Western Michigan this year.
Maya Moore:
Did you check out Maya Moore's performance in the "Uncle Drew: Chapter 3" video?
Lynx:
Mike Peden's great championship homecoming video.
Pat Summitt:
The legendary Lady Vols coach was admitted to the hospital Sunday for routine medical tests. She was expected to be released this afternoon.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Collective bargaining agreement for WNBA players still in the works
So all those rumors you've heard about a Tina Charles trade to the Sparks are just rumors.
Collective bargaining agreement for WNBA players still in the works.
Collective bargaining agreement for WNBA players still in the works.
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