College Hoops

2003: The Year of Duke?

By Mike Bryant
For Outsports.com

This just might be the year that the women playing basketball in Durham get to celebrate at the top of the nation’s collegiate basketball pinnacle. The Duke Blue Devils look poised to make a return trip to the Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia, hoping to complete the journey to the title after falling short last year with a loss in the semi-finals. Led by national Player of the Year and All-America candidates Alana Beard (Jr., ACC Player of the Year, 1^st Team All-ACC, 21.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Iciss Tillis (Jr., 1^st Team All-ACC, ACC Tournament MVP, 14.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg), the Blue Devils blitzed through the ACC conference schedule, recently wrapping up the ACC’s automatic bid and a definite #1 seed into the NCAA tournament with a 77-59 win over North Carolina in the ACC Championship game.  

Despite the loss of pre-season All-America candidate Monique Currie at the start of the season, coach Gail Goestenkors uses a deep, talented and young rotation that has proven to wear teams down. The Blue Devil support system includes the backcourt trio of lightning quick freshman point guard Lindsay Harding (5.8 ppr, 3.3 apg), junior three-point shooter and 3^rd Team All-ACC selection Vicki Krapohl (5.8 ppg, 3.0 apg, 43% 3-pt fg), and the sparkplug off the bench, senior Sheana Mosch (8.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg). Inside, another trio of players, senior Michelle Matyasovsky (5.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg), sophomore Wynter Whitley (5.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and freshman center Misty Bass (7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg), form a formidable frontline rotation. 

After spending the first half of the season at the top of the polls, the Blue Devils only set back came at the hands of UConn, a 77-65 home loss on February 2^nd. Since then, Beard and Co. are 11-0, their only real test coming from Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC tournament, which resulted in a 64-59 win. 

Another basketball dynasty is on the rise in Durham as we will look for the women of Duke to come out hungry and ready to take their turn at leading the Blue Devil train. 

Contenders: 

Any predictions towards the NCAA women’s basketball tournament title chase would not be complete without the inclusion and consideration of perennial powerhouses Tennessee and UConn. Both teams are loaded, Tennessee utilizing a deep roster with balance and experience, and UConn being carried on the back of their fearless All-American Diana Taurasi.  

After graduating the stellar senior class following last year’s 39-0 NCAA title run, many felt UConn might be in somewhat of a rebuilding phase. Nothing could be further from the truth. For Geno Auriemma, his Huskies and their faithful fans residing in Storrs, Connecticut, why rebuild when all you have to do is reload? Taurasi, a junior guard (16.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.6 apg), is the catalyst and driving force behind the Huskies. She brings with her sophomores Jessica Moore (10.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and Ashley Battle (8.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg), along with standout freshmen Ann Strother (10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Barb Turner (10.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg). All have stepped in nicely, filling those big shoes left behind by the likes of Sue Bird and Swin Cash. 

Tennessee is led, on the perimeter, by senior guard Kara Lawson (14.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.8 apg) and in the paint by senior forward Gwen Jackson (16.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg), both 1^st Team All-SEC selections. Lawson is a strong physical player who can beat you from anywhere on the court. Coach Summit can also count on a number of other talented athletes, all of who can contribute at any given time. Sophomore guard Loree Moore (6.0 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 spg) controls the tempo at the point and shooters Shanna Zolman (All-SEC Freshman Team, 8.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and Brittany Jackson (Soph., 5.4 ppg) complement Lawson well from long range. Inside, 6’5 towers Ashley Robinson (Jr., 6.6 pp, 5.9 rpg) and freshman Ty’esha Fluker (3.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) share time at the center position, along with Shyra Ely (Soph., 9.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Courtney McDaniel (Jr., 4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg) at the power forward position. 

Both Tennessee and UConn have hovered near the top of the polls all year, UConn at #1 for the second half of the season following their big win at Cameron Indoor Stadium. However, both teams recently lost in their respective conference tournament championship games, Tennessee losing handily to an athletic LSU team for the SEC crown, UConn getting tripped up by a steady and determined Villanova squad, ending the Huskies consecutive win streak at 70 games. For both of these teams, participating late in the NCAA tournament is an expectation year in and year out and 2003 is no exception. Many pre-season predictions have the Lady Vols and Huskies staying alive and dancing all the way to the Final Four. These two programs, rich in tradition and success, might not be tested much until they arrive in Atlanta. 

Also looking to ride the “Big Dance” train into the Georgia Dome are upstarts LSU and Kansas State, and two previous NCAA champions from the “Lone Star State”, Texas Tech and Texas, all boasting some of the college game’s most dynamic talent.  

LSU is fresh off of their 78-62 SEC conference tournament title win over Tennessee where they were led by junior guard Temeka Johnson (SEC Tournament MVP, All-SEC Honorable Mention, 9.4 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.4 rpg) and freshman sensation Seimone Augustus (SEC Freshman of the Year & All-SEC 2^nd Team, 15.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Aiysha Smith (Sr., All-SEC Honorable Mention, 12.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Detrina White (Sr., 8.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Ke-Ke Tardy (Sr., 8.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg), and Doneeka Hodges (Jr., 9.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg) add great balance to a dangerous Tiger threat. Look for LSU to continue dominating throughout the tournament with a possible date in the NCAA championship title game. 

Kansas State (with no seniors and just three juniors on its roster) is ready to show the world of women’s collegiate basketball that they are a legitimate contender to win it all. All-Americans Kendra Wecker (Soph., 19.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.7 apg) and Nicole Ohlde (Jr., 18.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.2 apg) lead the Wildcat charge, both averaging a near double-double on the season. Wecker, an 1^st Team All-Big 12 selection, is a steady all-around player who can score inside and out, while Ohlde, at 6’4 and the Big 12 Player of the Year, can hurt teams with her size and physical play. Adding to K-State’s arsenal is the three-point barrage known as Megan Mahoney (Soph., 14.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 45% 3-pt fg) and Laurie Koehn (Soph., 12.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 42% 3-pt fg). Depth and experience could become an issue for coach Deb Patterson as only five K-State players average over 30 minutes a game (the next two do not average 20 min/game). A recent loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 tournament semi-finals should have the Wildcats hungry to make a successful run through the NCAA tournament. 

The ladies from the state of Texas have quietly been winning their way through their respective 2002-03 seasons, under the radar and in the background of all the noise coming from the top of the polls. But don’t take the Texas Tech Red Raiders or Texas Longhorns lightly as both squads are led by coaches who know what it takes to win it all. Both Marsha Sharp (Texas Tech, 1993) and Jody Conradt (Texas, 1986) have won NCAA titles at their respective schools and both sport teams with a trio of players that are capable of carrying their teams to the Final Four.  

The Texas Tech Red Raiders recently upset Kansas State in the semi-finals of the Big 12 conference tournament and are led by 1^st Team All Big-12 selections Plenette Pierson (Sr., 17.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Jia Perkins (Jr., 16.4 ppg, 2.5 spg). Running the point is Erin Grant, Big-12 Co-Freshman of the Year, who led the Big 12 conference in assists at 6.9 per game. 

The Big 12 Coach of the Year honor was presented to coach Jody Conradt at Texas, during a season that saw her reach 800 career-wins en route to the Big 12 regular season title (15-1 conference record). The Longhorn trio of players starts with 1^st Team All-Big 12 selections Stacy Stephens (Jr., 14.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Heather Schreiber (So., 13.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg). Junior point guard Jamie Carey (11.1 ppg) runs the show and was recently awarded the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after transferring from Stanford. It has been ten years since the NCAA women’s basketball championship was brought home to the state of Texas, a ten-year drought that could end in Atlanta. 

Elite 8 & Sweet 16 Hopefuls: 

The North Carolina Tar Heels are stacked with talent but have been unable to find a way to beat their ACC conference foe Duke Blue Devils, losing three times this season, most recently for the ACC tournament championship. However, coach Syliva Hatchell has won an NCAA title (1994) and has a dangerous and athletic bunch led by 1^st Team All-ACC selection Coretta Brown (Sr. 14.0 ppg, 4.52 apg), 2^nd Team All-ACC selection Nikita Bell (Soph., 11.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 3^rd Team All-ACC selection Candace Sutton (Jr., 10.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg), and ACC Freshman of the Year La’Tangela Atkinson (9.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg). 

Also owning an NCAA championship ring (1999) and the Big Ten Tournament championship are the Purdue Boilermakers. Coach Kristy Curry’s squad is led by pre-season All-America candidate Shereka Wright (Jr., 19.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg). She receives support from guard Erika Valek (Jr., 13.4 ppg, 5.1 apg) and post-player Mary Jo Noon (Sr., 10.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg). 

Vanderbilt, under first-year head coach Melanie Balcomb, finished the regular season at 21-9. The Commodores are led by All-American and 1^st Team All-SEC member Chantelle Anderson (Sr., 18.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg). Junior forward Jenni Benningfield (16.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg) earned herself a 2^nd Team All-SEC selection while senior point guard Ashley McElhiney (9.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg) led the SEC in assists at 7.5 dimes per game.  

The Stanford Cardinal established themselves early as a fixture in the nation’s top-10 holding steady by winning both the Pac-10 regular season and conference tournament titles. Head coach Tara VanDerveer was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year as junior forward and All-America candidate Nicole Powell (18.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.7 apg) was named to the All Pac-10 1^st Team. Joining Powell and the Pac-10’s elite is sophomore guard Kelley Suminski (11.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.0 apg). Azella Perryman (Soph., 9.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg), Chelsea Trotter (Soph., 9.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), and T’Nae Thiel (Soph., 7.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.5 apg) contribute to Stanford’s post game, while Sebnem Kimyacioglu (Soph., 8.5 ppg) and Susan King (Soph., 6.2 ppg) help control the perimeter. You can never count out a Tara VanDerveer team, especially with an athlete like future pro-superstar Powell as her leader. After all, VanDerveer is no stranger to the NCAA championship title race having won it twice already (1990, 1992). 

Louisiana Tech motored through the WAC schedule and should receive a respectable seed into the NCAA tournament. Head coach Kurt Budke is in his first season at the helm of the tradition-rich Lady Techsters basketball program and was recently selected as the WAC Coach of the Year. LaTech is led by senior center Cheryl Ford (15.2 ppg, 12.1 rpg), also awarded by the conference as the Player of the Year. Junior forward Trina Frierson (14.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg) earned 1^st Team All-WAC honors while guards Amber Obaze (Jr., 12.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.3 apg) and Erica Smith (Soph., 11.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) earned 2^nd Team All-WAC recognition. The one element that may hurt the Lady Techsters come tournament time is their weak conference schedule although they do have early season wins over Texas Tech and Tulane. 

The Lady Gamecocks of South Carolina are led by All-America candidate and 1^st Team All-SEC selection Jocelyn Penn (Sr., 24.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.8 spg). In addition to Penn and her scoring talents, junior guard Cristina Ciocan (13.4 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.3 rpg), senior forward Petra Ujhelyi (11.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and junior guard Kelly Morrone (9.3 ppg, 3.9 apg) contribute solid numbers as well. The Lady Gamecocks sport wins over non-conference foes Boston College, Temple and Oregon, as well as SEC opponents Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Auburn.  

Mississippi State has two of the country’s most prolific scoring threats in both All-American and SEC Player of the Year LaToya Thomas (Sr., 25.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and 1^st Team All-SEC member Tan White (Soph., 18.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.9 apg). The regular season campaign produced the best regular season record (21-6) in school history for the Bulldogs. Playing in the grueling SEC almost always assures a team a loss or two but the Bulldogs did earn some heavy victories over Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina, in addition to solid non-conference wins over Cincinnati and Houston.  

Penn State hosts the Big Ten Coach of the Year in Rene Portland, the Big Ten Player of the Year, All-America candidate and conference scoring champion in junior guard Kelly Mazzante (24.1 ppg 2.47 spg) and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and 1^st Team All-Big Ten selection in Tanisha Wright (Soph., 16.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.03 apg, 2.56 spg). Additionally, junior forward Jessica Brungo (11.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg) was selected 2^nd Team All-Big Ten. The Lady Lions completed the regular season as the Big Ten champions and enter the NCAA tournament with a record of 24-8, including quality wins over Minnesota, Purdue, Ohio State, and Old Dominion. 

Those that could wreak havoc: 

Minnesota Golden Gopher and junior guard Lindsay Whalen (6.2 apg, 5.1 rpg) has established herself as one of the nation’s leading scorers at 21.2 points per game. An All-America candidate and 1^st Team All-Big Ten selection, Whalen finished the regular season as the conference’s second leading scorer. Joining Whalen on the All-Big Ten team were 2^nd Team selection Janel McCarville (13.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and 3^rd Team member Corrin Von Wald (15.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.7 spg). At 23-5 after the conclusion of the Big Ten regular season and conference tournament, and with a few quality wins under their belts (Penn State, Purdue, Ohio State), the Gophers could certainly earn an upset or two in the NCAA tournament, especially if Whalen continues to light it up. 

Kevin Borseth is the Horizon League and WBCA Region 6 Coach of the Year at Wisconsin Green-Bay. Boasting a top-25 ranking for most of the season, along with non-conference wins over Ohio State, TCU, and Oregon, the Phoenix have established themselves as a legitimate sleeper in this year’s NCAA tournament and may sneak up on a few teams. UW- Green Bay is led by Horizon League Player of the Year and All-Defensive Team member Kristy Loiselle (Sr., 14.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 72 steals), senior center Emily Johnson (13.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg), senior guard Sara Boyer (2^nd Team All-Horizon League, 11.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg), and senior guard Elizabeth Dudley (All-Defensive Team, 2^nd Team All-Horizon League, 8.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.6 spg). 

Villanova has found its way into the national spotlight as the only team able to beat the UConn Huskies over a span of nearly two years, earning them the Big East Tournament title for 2003. Senior guard Trish Julhine (18.2 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.3 rpg) is the catalyst behind the Wildcats threat, earning 1^st Team All-Big East honors, as well as being named the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Julhine is joined by 2^nd Team All-Big East selection Katie Davis (Sr., 15.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and All-Big East Honorable Mention selection Courtney Mix (Jr., 8.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.9 apg) in leading the Villanova charge.  

The Pac-10 has two more teams aside from the Stanford Cardinal that could potentially win a few games in the NCAA tournament this year. Arizona lost to Stanford in the Pac-10 tournament title bout but do have regular season victories over both the Cardinal and regular season Pac-10 runner-up Washington. The Wildcats also earned non-conference wins over Georgia, Pepperdine and Illinois, while pushing the LSU Tigers to overtime before falling short. Shawntinice Polk (17.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg) has put up solid numbers during her freshman outing, earning her Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors and a solid bid for the NCAA’s national honor as well. Polk gets strong support from sophomore guard and 1^st Team All-Pac 10 selection Dee Dee Wheeler (16.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg), senior forward Krista Warren (11.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg), and junior guard Amy Grzyb (10.8 ppg, 3.5 apg).  

The Washington Huskies are trying to repeat their Elite-8 performance from two years ago hoping to capitalize on the experience of many players that were part of that run in 2001. Junior guard and Pac-10 Player of the Year Giuliana Mendiola (17.3 ppg, 6.7 rbg, 5.4 apg) leads the Husky attack as an exciting and emotional all-around player who can drive, dish and shoot the three-ball with great accuracy. Mendiola is joined by senior 1^st Team All-Pac 10 member Loree Payne (14.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg), senior guard Emily Autrey (10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention selection Andrea Lalum (Jr., 11.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg), who can beat teams inside and out with her size and great shooting range. The Huskies have great depth as coach June Daugherty prides her program on being able to go at least ten players deep.  

Staying out west and moving a little further down the coastline is the University California at Santa Barbara, the Big West regular season champions and somewhat of a silent assassin with non-conference wins over Purdue, USC, NC State, Illinois and Florida. The Gauchos also nearly upset LSU on the road coming up short by a score of 94-90 in a marathon three-overtime loss. UCSB is led by 6-8 junior center and Big West Player of the Year Lindsay Taylor (16.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg). Alongside Taylor are sophomore forwards Kristen Mann (All-Big West 1^st Team, 14.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Brandy Richardson (All-Big West Honorable Mention, 6.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg), and guards Mia Fisher (Soph., 10.6 ppg) and Jess Hansen (All-Big West 2^nd Team, Sr., 10.6 ppg), all comprising the bulk of the Gauchos’ scoring attack. Head coach Mark French, the Big West Coach of the Year, leads UCSB from the sideline.  

NCAA Outstanding Achievement 

Player of the Year: Alana Beard, Duke, Junior

Coach of the Year: Sue Gunter, LSU & Kevin Borseth, Wisconsin-Green Bay

Freshman of the Year: Tamara James, Miami 

All-Americans 

First Team:      

Chantelle Anderson – Vanderbilt, Senior, 18.2 ppg, .639 fgp

Alana Beard – Duke, Junior, 22.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.9 spg

Diana Taurasi – Connecticut, Junior, 16.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.6 apg    

LaToya Thomas – Mississippi State, Senior, 25.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg 

Nicole Ohlde – Kansas State, Junior, 18.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg  
 

Second Team:

Chandi Jones – Houston, Junior, 27.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg

Jocelyn Penn – South Carolina, Senior, 24.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.8 spg

Kendra Wecker – Kansas State, Soph., 19.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg

Lindsay Whalen – Minnesota, Junior, 21.2 ppg, 6.2 apg

Shereka Wright – Purdue, Junior, 19.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg 

 

Third Team:

Kara Lawson – Tennessee, Senior, 14.8 ppg,

Kelly Mazzante – Penn State, Junior, 24.1 ppg, 2.5 spg

Nicole Powell – Stanford, Junior, 18.7ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.7 apg

Stacy Stephens – Texas, Junior, 14.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg

Iciss Tillis – Duke, Junior, 14.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg 

 

Honorable Mention: 

Jacqueline Batteast (Notre Dame, Soph.), Jenny Benningfield (Vanderbilt, Jr.), Tera Bjorklund (Colorado, Jr.), Steffanie Blackmon (Baylor, Soph.), Correta Brown (North Carolina, Sr.), Shameka Criston (Arkansas, Jr.), Chrissy Floyd (Clemson, Sr.), Michelle Greco (UCLA, Sr.), Gwen Jackson (Tennessee, Sr.), Trish Juhline (Villanova, Sr.), Kristy Loiselle (UW-Green Bay, Sr.), Sonja Mallory (Georgia Tech, Sr.), Giuliana Mendiola (Washington, Jr.), Debbie Merrill (Cincinnati, Soph.), Ugo Oha (George Washington, Jr.), Jia Perkins (Texas Tech, Jr.), Plenette Pierson (Texas Tech, Sr.), Cappie Pondexter (Rutgers, Soph.), Heather Schreiber (Texas, Soph.), Lindsay Taylor (UCSB, Jr.), Brandi Teamer (Virginia, Soph.),Christi Thomas (Georgia, Jr.), Erin Thorn (BYU, Sr.), Tan White (Mississippi State, Soph.), Lindsey Wilson (Iowa State, Sr.) 

All Freshman Team: 

La’Tangela Atkinson – North Carolina, 9.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg 

Seimone Augustus – LSU, 15.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg

Nikki Blue – UCLA, 16.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.7 spg

Tamara James – Miami, 21.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.9 spg

Shawntinice Polk – Arizona, 17.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg 

Honorable Mention: 

Misty Bass (Duke), Erin Grant (Texas Tech), Lindsay Harding (Duke), Courtney LaVere (Notre Dame), Ann Strother (Connecticut), Barbara Turner (Connecticut), Chelsi Welch (Oklahoma), Sophia Young (Baylor).

March 14, 2003