1. Stanford: Has the league’s top player, 4 starters return from a Final Four team and 5 straight Final Fours. Need to hit threes
Nov 1 exhibition, Corban. Nov 3 exhibition Vanguard, Nov 9 Fresno State, Nov 11 at Santa Clara.
2. Cal: They have the talent and return 4 starters and all 4 top reserves, several of whom started a number of games. A theme of the top three, need to hit threes.
Nov 1 exhibition Vanguard, Nov 9 Lehigh
3. UCLA: They get back 2 outstanding players who were injured last season, have a good 5th year transfer to play the post and have one of the league’s top three Frosh. Oh need to hit threes.
Nov 5 exhibition Westmont, Nov 10 San Diego State
4. USC: Have the talent, well we say that every year, but this year healthy talent. Adams moves in as the Point and should be a pass first Point. Strong front court. But will they have an offensive scheme?
Nov 4 exhibition, Monterey Bay, Nov 11 Gonzaga
5. Oregon State: OK we all love an underdog but this team may not be that for long. Great coaching job and the Beavers add the 3rd top Frosh in Weisner.
Nov 4 Exhibition Seattle Pacific, Nov 10 Western Washington, Nov 13 Cal Poly.
6. Utah: Big strong front count and has the only Pac 12 Olympian. Will their backcourt be enough?
Nov 1 exhibition Concordia, Nov 10 at Denver
7. ASU: They get back CTT and Redshirt Frosh Normen who could be their top player. Sadly would be starter Deja Mann tore her ACL recently.
Nov 4 exhibition Alaska Anchorage, Nov 11 Texas Tech
8. Colorado: Some nice young players, only one Sr on the team.
Nov 2 Exhibition Western State, Nov 11 Idaho
9. Arizona: Davelynn Whyte is outstanding but not a whole lot after her.
Nov 5 exhibition Grand Canyon, Nov 9 at Cal Sate Bakersfield.
10: Washington: Kingma back and with Davis could have a very good backcourt. But what about the frontcourt?
Oct 30 exhibition Concordia of Oregon, Nov 9 St Mary’s, Nov 14 at Seattle
11. Washington State: Someone needs to jump up and be the go to player.
Oct 30 Exhibition Simon Fraser, Nov 3 Exhibition Western Oregon, Nov 10 at Minnesota, Nov 11 away either South Dakota State or Villanova.
12: Oregon: Lost their top players and no replacements. Recruiting hasn’t gone well. But they could still hit 10 or more threes per game.
Oct 30 exhibition Southern Oregon, Nov 7 exhibition Corban, Nov 11 St M
October 24, 2012
October 21, 2012
Cal guns for the Top 10
Last season Cal had a great 25-10 record, 13-5 in league play. The Bears won 2 Pac 12 Tournament games before losing to Stanford then beat Iowa in the NCAA before losing to Notre Dame.
Lindsay Gottlieb returns for her 2nd season, and of course she spent several years at Cal as the top Assistant. Lindsay was 56-39 in her 3 years as the Head Coach at UCSB. Stanford grad and former player, double grad with a Masters actually, Charmin Smith is the Associate Head Coach. This will be Charmin’s 6th season. Kai Felton returns for her 2nd year after having spent several years at Oregon and 5 at USC. Stanford grad Katy Steding jumps from USF to Cal for her first season. Steding was Head Coach at Warner Pacific for 7 years and has a Gold Medal.
THE SCHEDULE: St Mary’s, a good team I believe, Georgetown, Duke, Northwestern, Kansas, George Washington. Really not tough and should be the favorites in all but the Duke game which is at Duke. Cal does not play in Arizona or host the Washington schools.
THE LOSSES: Erica Johnson played just 43 minutes last season before transferring to North Carolina at the December break.
Lindsay Sherbert transferred to Gonzaga after the season. She averaged 5 points and 3 rebounds per game. She also led the team in threes with 38 at 34% (2nd on the team).
THE RETURNEES: Brittany Boyd returns as the staring Point Guard, she’s a 5-9 Soph. Last season Boyd was 3rd on the team in scoring, at 10 points per game. She only made 9 threes at 13% but showed this summer that she is much better. She was the team leader by a large margin in steals, 2.5, assists, 4.8 and turnovers 3.9 per game. Boyd was the
# 38 player out of High School.
Layshia Clarendon was the leading scorer last season at 13 points per game. Layshia is 5-9 Sr. She made 36 threes, 2nd on the team to Sherbert, at 33%. She ranks # 11 all time scorer at Cal with 1,230 points. Ranked as high as # 25 out of High School. All Pac 12.
Talia Caldwell is the returning Center and is a 6-3 Sr. She averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds per game and shot at 51%. Caldwell is the # 11 rebounder all time at Cal with 744. Ranked as high as # 42 out of High School.
Gennifer Brandon is a 6-2 Redshirt Jr who started the most at the 4 last season. Brandon averaged 9 points and a team leading 10 rebounds per game. All Pac 12, she was ranked as high as # 14 out of High School and was a McDonald’s All American.
Reshanda Gray is 6-3 Soph who was 2nd on the team in scoring at 10.5 points per game. Gray started 14 games last season and Brandon the other 21 games. And they both played some in the Post. All Pac 12 Frosh last season, ranked # 22 out of High School and a McDonald’s All American.
Afure Jemerigbe is a 6-0 Jr who started the 14 games at the 3 that Sherbert did not. Afure averaged 5 points per game and made 19 threes at 38%. She was a McDonald’s All American.
Eliza Pierre is the back up Point Guard and also played the 2 last season. She’s a 5-7 Sr. She averaged 4 points per game and shot 40%. Pierre is very quick and a defensive specialist. A McDonald’s All American she was ranked # 22 out of High School.
Justine Hartman is a 6-2 Soph Post who was the back up here although mentioned about Gray also played the Post. Hartman averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds in 12 minutes per game. Another McDonald’s All American ranked # 7 out of High School. Bothered by a knee injury suffered in High School this past season.
Mikayla Lyles is a 5-8 Jr Guard. Lyles averaged 2 points in 8 minutes per game. Ranked the # 4 shooter out of High School.
Avigiel Cohen is a 6-0 Jr Guard. Cohen only played 27 minutes last season. Played on the Israeli National 16U and 18U teams.
THE NEWCOMERS: There are none who can play this season although Brittany Shine transferred in from Florida. Shine is a 5-10 Jr Guard from Sacramento. Last season at Florida she played in every game. High in points with 28 as a frosh and 14 last season.
This leaves the roster for the season at 10 players.
OUTLOOK: Five McDonald’s All Americans, lots of experience and only 10 on the roster. If healthy Cal could be a Top 10 team.
Lindsay Gottlieb returns for her 2nd season, and of course she spent several years at Cal as the top Assistant. Lindsay was 56-39 in her 3 years as the Head Coach at UCSB. Stanford grad and former player, double grad with a Masters actually, Charmin Smith is the Associate Head Coach. This will be Charmin’s 6th season. Kai Felton returns for her 2nd year after having spent several years at Oregon and 5 at USC. Stanford grad Katy Steding jumps from USF to Cal for her first season. Steding was Head Coach at Warner Pacific for 7 years and has a Gold Medal.
THE SCHEDULE: St Mary’s, a good team I believe, Georgetown, Duke, Northwestern, Kansas, George Washington. Really not tough and should be the favorites in all but the Duke game which is at Duke. Cal does not play in Arizona or host the Washington schools.
THE LOSSES: Erica Johnson played just 43 minutes last season before transferring to North Carolina at the December break.
Lindsay Sherbert transferred to Gonzaga after the season. She averaged 5 points and 3 rebounds per game. She also led the team in threes with 38 at 34% (2nd on the team).
THE RETURNEES: Brittany Boyd returns as the staring Point Guard, she’s a 5-9 Soph. Last season Boyd was 3rd on the team in scoring, at 10 points per game. She only made 9 threes at 13% but showed this summer that she is much better. She was the team leader by a large margin in steals, 2.5, assists, 4.8 and turnovers 3.9 per game. Boyd was the
# 38 player out of High School.
Layshia Clarendon was the leading scorer last season at 13 points per game. Layshia is 5-9 Sr. She made 36 threes, 2nd on the team to Sherbert, at 33%. She ranks # 11 all time scorer at Cal with 1,230 points. Ranked as high as # 25 out of High School. All Pac 12.
Talia Caldwell is the returning Center and is a 6-3 Sr. She averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds per game and shot at 51%. Caldwell is the # 11 rebounder all time at Cal with 744. Ranked as high as # 42 out of High School.
Gennifer Brandon is a 6-2 Redshirt Jr who started the most at the 4 last season. Brandon averaged 9 points and a team leading 10 rebounds per game. All Pac 12, she was ranked as high as # 14 out of High School and was a McDonald’s All American.
Reshanda Gray is 6-3 Soph who was 2nd on the team in scoring at 10.5 points per game. Gray started 14 games last season and Brandon the other 21 games. And they both played some in the Post. All Pac 12 Frosh last season, ranked # 22 out of High School and a McDonald’s All American.
Afure Jemerigbe is a 6-0 Jr who started the 14 games at the 3 that Sherbert did not. Afure averaged 5 points per game and made 19 threes at 38%. She was a McDonald’s All American.
Eliza Pierre is the back up Point Guard and also played the 2 last season. She’s a 5-7 Sr. She averaged 4 points per game and shot 40%. Pierre is very quick and a defensive specialist. A McDonald’s All American she was ranked # 22 out of High School.
Justine Hartman is a 6-2 Soph Post who was the back up here although mentioned about Gray also played the Post. Hartman averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds in 12 minutes per game. Another McDonald’s All American ranked # 7 out of High School. Bothered by a knee injury suffered in High School this past season.
Mikayla Lyles is a 5-8 Jr Guard. Lyles averaged 2 points in 8 minutes per game. Ranked the # 4 shooter out of High School.
Avigiel Cohen is a 6-0 Jr Guard. Cohen only played 27 minutes last season. Played on the Israeli National 16U and 18U teams.
THE NEWCOMERS: There are none who can play this season although Brittany Shine transferred in from Florida. Shine is a 5-10 Jr Guard from Sacramento. Last season at Florida she played in every game. High in points with 28 as a frosh and 14 last season.
This leaves the roster for the season at 10 players.
OUTLOOK: Five McDonald’s All Americans, lots of experience and only 10 on the roster. If healthy Cal could be a Top 10 team.
October 15, 2012
Is this the Year the Cougars improve?
Head Coach June Daugherty returns for her 6th season at Washington State but with a record of 45-109 for her first 5 seasons. Last season the Cougars were 13-20 and 5-13 in league play. June coached 20 years at first Boise State then at Washington and still has a winning record over her career. Her husband Mike Daugherty returns as the Head Assistant. Brian Holsinger is back for his 6th season. Ashley Glover was the Video Coordinator and is now in her first year as an Assistant.
THE SCHEDULE: The Cougars under June usually play a tough schedule and this year they may have the Pac 12’s toughest schedule. They play Minnesota, Wisconsin, BYU, Fresno, Louisville, Syracuse and Gonzaga. Wow.
THE LOSSES: Jazmine Perkins was the top scorer at almost 9 and rebounder at 7 per game.
April Cook scored 6 points per game.
Rosetta Adzazu averaged 6 points per game.
Rosie Tarnowski scored 6 points and had 3 rebounds per game.
The Cougars had 9 players score between 6 and 9 points per game.
THE RETURNEES: Ireti Amojo is a 5-10 Redshirt Jr Guard who was leading the team in scoring until injured. In 13 games she averaged 9 points and made 21 threes at 50%. Ireti has had 2 knee injuries in her 3 season at Washington State. She is German but played as a High Sr in Auburn Washington.
Sage Romberg is a 6-1 Jr who averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds per game. Romberg averaged almost 10 points per game as a Frosh. She was ranked # 73 and 87 by two services in High School.
Carly Noyes is a 6-5 Sr Center who averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds per game. Carly is a fine defensive post, honorable mention all Pac 12 on Defense.
Tia Presley is a 5-9 Soph Guard who averaged 6 points per game. Tia played in 21 games before a foot injury ended her season.
Brandi Thomas is a 6-1 Forward who averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds per game. She was a good High School Long Jumper and Triple Jumper.
Hana Potter is a 6-2 Jr Post player. Last season she averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds in 10 minutes per game.
Shalie Dheensaw is a 6-4 Soph Post. In 9 minutes per game last season she averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds. She was on the Canadian 16U and 17U National teams.
Katie Grad is a 5-9 5th year Sr Guard. Grad has averaged 2 points per game over her career.
Jordan Kelley is a 5-10 Soph Guard, who playing sparingly as a Frosh.
THE NEWCOMERS: Whitney Tinjum is a 6-1 Frosh Forward from Minnesota and ranked # 220. Four time All State at her school level, the second largest of four. Averaged over 20 points per game each of her four years. Averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds as a Sr hitting 56% from three.
Mariah Cooks is a 6-0 Frosh Forward from Southern California and ranked # 289. Averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds as a Sr. Played Middle Blocker on the Volleyball team.
Dawnyelle Awa is a 5-9 Frosh Guard from Hawaii. Four time all state, Gatorade State Player of the Year as a Sr. Her team beat some pretty good mainland teams last year. Averaged 11 points 4 assists and 4 steals as a Sr.
Taylor Edmondson is a 5-11 Frosh Guard from New Mexico. Two time District Player of the Year. 2nd in the State Triple Jump. Averaged 17 points per game as a Sr.
Lia Galdeira is a 5-11 Frosh Guard from Hawaii. Teammates in HS with Awa. State Player of the Year 3 times, averaged 17 points as a Sr.
Alexis Williamson is a 5-8 Frosh Guard from Southern California. Three year starter for the great Mater Dei team. Averaged 13 points as a Sr.
OUTLOOK: The Cougars need several players to step up and star, or they seem headed to the lower 2-3 of the Pac 12.
THE SCHEDULE: The Cougars under June usually play a tough schedule and this year they may have the Pac 12’s toughest schedule. They play Minnesota, Wisconsin, BYU, Fresno, Louisville, Syracuse and Gonzaga. Wow.
THE LOSSES: Jazmine Perkins was the top scorer at almost 9 and rebounder at 7 per game.
April Cook scored 6 points per game.
Rosetta Adzazu averaged 6 points per game.
Rosie Tarnowski scored 6 points and had 3 rebounds per game.
The Cougars had 9 players score between 6 and 9 points per game.
THE RETURNEES: Ireti Amojo is a 5-10 Redshirt Jr Guard who was leading the team in scoring until injured. In 13 games she averaged 9 points and made 21 threes at 50%. Ireti has had 2 knee injuries in her 3 season at Washington State. She is German but played as a High Sr in Auburn Washington.
Sage Romberg is a 6-1 Jr who averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds per game. Romberg averaged almost 10 points per game as a Frosh. She was ranked # 73 and 87 by two services in High School.
Carly Noyes is a 6-5 Sr Center who averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds per game. Carly is a fine defensive post, honorable mention all Pac 12 on Defense.
Tia Presley is a 5-9 Soph Guard who averaged 6 points per game. Tia played in 21 games before a foot injury ended her season.
Brandi Thomas is a 6-1 Forward who averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds per game. She was a good High School Long Jumper and Triple Jumper.
Hana Potter is a 6-2 Jr Post player. Last season she averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds in 10 minutes per game.
Shalie Dheensaw is a 6-4 Soph Post. In 9 minutes per game last season she averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds. She was on the Canadian 16U and 17U National teams.
Katie Grad is a 5-9 5th year Sr Guard. Grad has averaged 2 points per game over her career.
Jordan Kelley is a 5-10 Soph Guard, who playing sparingly as a Frosh.
THE NEWCOMERS: Whitney Tinjum is a 6-1 Frosh Forward from Minnesota and ranked # 220. Four time All State at her school level, the second largest of four. Averaged over 20 points per game each of her four years. Averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds as a Sr hitting 56% from three.
Mariah Cooks is a 6-0 Frosh Forward from Southern California and ranked # 289. Averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds as a Sr. Played Middle Blocker on the Volleyball team.
Dawnyelle Awa is a 5-9 Frosh Guard from Hawaii. Four time all state, Gatorade State Player of the Year as a Sr. Her team beat some pretty good mainland teams last year. Averaged 11 points 4 assists and 4 steals as a Sr.
Taylor Edmondson is a 5-11 Frosh Guard from New Mexico. Two time District Player of the Year. 2nd in the State Triple Jump. Averaged 17 points per game as a Sr.
Lia Galdeira is a 5-11 Frosh Guard from Hawaii. Teammates in HS with Awa. State Player of the Year 3 times, averaged 17 points as a Sr.
Alexis Williamson is a 5-8 Frosh Guard from Southern California. Three year starter for the great Mater Dei team. Averaged 13 points as a Sr.
OUTLOOK: The Cougars need several players to step up and star, or they seem headed to the lower 2-3 of the Pac 12.
October 10, 2012
UCLA Bruins are healthy again
Cori Close begins her second year at UCLA. It’s the long time assistant coach’s first Head Coaching job. Close was the Florida Assistant Head Coach for 7 seasons but is from the west coach and coached at UCLA in the 90’s. Until this past injury riddled season Close had been to the NCAAs 15 straight seasons. Last year UCLA was 14-16 overall and 9-9 in Pac 12 play.
Shannon Perry is back for her 2nd year. Her most recent position before UCLA was an assistant at Duke for 5 seasons. Tony Newnan is also back for his 2nd season. His background includes coaching stints at UCSB, Oregon State and for 8 seasons prior to UCLA, Westmont College of Santa Barbara. Jenny Huth is back for her 2nd season. Her prior experience includes being a graduate assistant with Close at Florida State.
THE SCHEDULE: San Diego State, Oklahoma, Norte Dame, Texas and maybe St John’s highlight their very good pre season schedule. This will be challenging. For Pac 12 play UCLA doesn’t travel to Colorado or Utah, nor do they host the Oregon schools.
LOSSES: Rebekah Gardner was the leading scorer last season and graduated. Gardner averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. She also made 30 threes, not a big number but 2nd on the team.
Moriah Faulk averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds in 16 minutes per game as a Frosh. She transferred to another school.
RETURNEES: Markel Walker is a 6-1 Sr Forward and the 2nd leading scorer for the Bruins last season at 15 points and the leading rebounder at an outstanding 11 per game. One of the Pac 12’s elite players.
Atonye Nyingifa is a 5-11 redshirt Jr who played only 9 games last season but she averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds in those games. She missed her true Soph season with an injury, played as a true Jr all games then just 9 last year in her true Sr season. So she is in her 5th season and could play one more year after this season.
Corinne Costa is a 6-4 Jr Post who averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes per game.
Thea Lemberger is a 5-7 Jr and the returning Point Guard. Last season Thea averaged 12 points per game and led the team, although just slightly, in assists. She also led the team in threes, but only 40 and at 30%.
Mariah Williams is a 5-4 Sr Point Guard who averaged 5 points per game both splitting time with Lemberger and playing the Point when Lemberger moved to the 2.
Rhema Gardner is a 6-1 Soph Wing who averaged 26 minutes per game as a Frosh and had 4 points and 5 rebounds per game.
NEWCOMERS: The most important newcomers are two players who were on the Bruin roster last season but couldn’t play. 6-0 Sr Forward Jasmine Dixon missed the season with an injury and 6-3 Post Alyssia Brewer sat out after transferring from Tennessee.
Dixon has been All Pac 10 in both her UCLA years. She spent her Frosh season at Rutgers. In her two years Dixon has averaged just shy 14 points and 8 rebounds per game. She is a tremendous inside player and rebounder.
Brewer played three seasons at Tennessee where she averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per game. Brewer was a High School All American.
Nirra Fields is a 5-9 Frosh Guard who may well start but even if not with 4 Srs who probably start, Fields will see a lot of playing time. She was ranked # 11 overall and a McDonalds All American. Fields is Canadian who played on both their National 17U and 19U teams and scored 17 points in a game against the American 17U team. She is the Laker Coach’s legal guardian, after going the 3 High Schools in 3 years. Last year was with the awesome Mater Dei of Southern California team. (This is the new High School of the Samuelson sisters). Fields is a game changer.
Kari Korver is a 5-9 Frosh Guard, ranked # 98. A great three point shooter, scoring 25 points a game in High School. Kari hit 5 or more threes in 13 High School games as a JR with a high of 11.
Lauren Holliday is a 5-8 Frosh Guard, ranked # 32 by one service and # 65 by another. . Very quick and a very tough defensive played who scored 23 points a game as a Jr.
Alexis Perry is a 5-5 Soph Guard who did not play last season. She is from Jeanette Pohlen’s High School.
OUTLOOK: UCLA only made 107 threes at 29% last season and that needs to be improved upon especially as the Bruins will be very strong inside. With Dixon, Walker, Nyingifa and Brewer the Bruins will be very strong inside and have the potential, with health, to be a top 10 team.
Shannon Perry is back for her 2nd year. Her most recent position before UCLA was an assistant at Duke for 5 seasons. Tony Newnan is also back for his 2nd season. His background includes coaching stints at UCSB, Oregon State and for 8 seasons prior to UCLA, Westmont College of Santa Barbara. Jenny Huth is back for her 2nd season. Her prior experience includes being a graduate assistant with Close at Florida State.
THE SCHEDULE: San Diego State, Oklahoma, Norte Dame, Texas and maybe St John’s highlight their very good pre season schedule. This will be challenging. For Pac 12 play UCLA doesn’t travel to Colorado or Utah, nor do they host the Oregon schools.
LOSSES: Rebekah Gardner was the leading scorer last season and graduated. Gardner averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. She also made 30 threes, not a big number but 2nd on the team.
Moriah Faulk averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds in 16 minutes per game as a Frosh. She transferred to another school.
RETURNEES: Markel Walker is a 6-1 Sr Forward and the 2nd leading scorer for the Bruins last season at 15 points and the leading rebounder at an outstanding 11 per game. One of the Pac 12’s elite players.
Atonye Nyingifa is a 5-11 redshirt Jr who played only 9 games last season but she averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds in those games. She missed her true Soph season with an injury, played as a true Jr all games then just 9 last year in her true Sr season. So she is in her 5th season and could play one more year after this season.
Corinne Costa is a 6-4 Jr Post who averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes per game.
Thea Lemberger is a 5-7 Jr and the returning Point Guard. Last season Thea averaged 12 points per game and led the team, although just slightly, in assists. She also led the team in threes, but only 40 and at 30%.
Mariah Williams is a 5-4 Sr Point Guard who averaged 5 points per game both splitting time with Lemberger and playing the Point when Lemberger moved to the 2.
Rhema Gardner is a 6-1 Soph Wing who averaged 26 minutes per game as a Frosh and had 4 points and 5 rebounds per game.
NEWCOMERS: The most important newcomers are two players who were on the Bruin roster last season but couldn’t play. 6-0 Sr Forward Jasmine Dixon missed the season with an injury and 6-3 Post Alyssia Brewer sat out after transferring from Tennessee.
Dixon has been All Pac 10 in both her UCLA years. She spent her Frosh season at Rutgers. In her two years Dixon has averaged just shy 14 points and 8 rebounds per game. She is a tremendous inside player and rebounder.
Brewer played three seasons at Tennessee where she averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per game. Brewer was a High School All American.
Nirra Fields is a 5-9 Frosh Guard who may well start but even if not with 4 Srs who probably start, Fields will see a lot of playing time. She was ranked # 11 overall and a McDonalds All American. Fields is Canadian who played on both their National 17U and 19U teams and scored 17 points in a game against the American 17U team. She is the Laker Coach’s legal guardian, after going the 3 High Schools in 3 years. Last year was with the awesome Mater Dei of Southern California team. (This is the new High School of the Samuelson sisters). Fields is a game changer.
Kari Korver is a 5-9 Frosh Guard, ranked # 98. A great three point shooter, scoring 25 points a game in High School. Kari hit 5 or more threes in 13 High School games as a JR with a high of 11.
Lauren Holliday is a 5-8 Frosh Guard, ranked # 32 by one service and # 65 by another. . Very quick and a very tough defensive played who scored 23 points a game as a Jr.
Alexis Perry is a 5-5 Soph Guard who did not play last season. She is from Jeanette Pohlen’s High School.
OUTLOOK: UCLA only made 107 threes at 29% last season and that needs to be improved upon especially as the Bruins will be very strong inside. With Dixon, Walker, Nyingifa and Brewer the Bruins will be very strong inside and have the potential, with health, to be a top 10 team.
October 2, 2012
The Utes look to the first division
Last season The Utah Utes went 16-16 overall and 8-10 in Pac 12 play. They split 2 games in the WNIT. Head Coach Anthony Levrets returns for his 3rd season. Velaida Harris returns for her 3rd season. Matt Legerski returns for his 10th season. In those 10 seasons Utah has been to 5 NCAA tournaments. Willette White returns for her 2nd season, having been at Oregon for 6 seasons.
SCHEDULE: Michigan, Utah State and BYU are the toughest non conference teams the Utes will play. In league play USC and UCLA don’t travel to Utah and Utah doesn’t travel to Washington or Washington State.
LOSSES: Utah had five players play 33 or more minutes per game and they lost only one, Point Guard Janita Badon. Badon averaged 10 points per game although only 11 threes total. She averaged 6 rebounds per game and had a fine 1.4: .9 assist to turnover ratio. Post Rachel Morris averaged 7 minutes and has left the team. Another Post Diana Rolniak has also left the team, I suspect due to injuries. Diana averaged 2 points and 3 rebounds in 14 minutes per game but could only play 13 games.
RETURNEES: Four of the five starters return from last season’s WNIT team. Michelle Plouffe is a 6-4 Jr Center who averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game last season. Plouffe also made 41 threes at 31%. She was on the Canadian Olympic team
Taryn Wicijowski is a 6-3 Redshirt Jr who averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds per game this past season. Like Plouffe, Taryn is Canadian and has played on their Jr National teams.
Iwalani Rodriques is 5-9 Sr Shooting Guard who averaged 11 points per game with 59 threes at 30%. The previous year she averaged 15 points with 110 threes at 45%.
Rachel Messer is a 5-9 Sr Guard who averaged 5 points per game, starting all but one game. She has been consistent hitting about 34 threes in each of her three seasons at an overall 34%.
Cheyenne Wilson is a 5-1 Soph Guard who started 7 games and averaged 4 points and 17 minutes per game.
Chelsea Bridgewater is a 6-0 Sr Forward who played sparingly last season.
NEWCOMERS: Paige Crozon is a 6-1 Frosh Guard who could start right off the bat. She is another Canadian and has played on the past 3 various Youth National teams.
Nakia Arquette is a 6-1 Frosh Froward, ranked # 220.
Ciera Dunbar is a 5-10 Redshirt Soph Point Guard who could start at the Point if healthy. However she missed last season and a great deal of her High School Jr and Sr years with knee injuries.
Awa Kalmstrom is a 5-7 Frosh Guard from Sweden. She has twice played on Swedish youth National teams.
Danielle Rodriquez is a 5-10 Frosh Guard ranked # 222. She averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds for SoCal’s Warren High School last season and qualified for the State Meet in the 1600 meters.
And then along comes transfer Krystal Forthan. Krystal has transferred from LSU and the 6-5 Soph will sit out this season. Forthan was the # 5 Player out of High School, a superstar in the making. However this is her 6th school in 6 years. Four High Schools and two Colleges.
OUTLOOK: Four returning starters and a couple of good newcomers could well spell improvement. Key is winning their non conference games to get the confidence to play against the top tier Pac 12 teams.
SCHEDULE: Michigan, Utah State and BYU are the toughest non conference teams the Utes will play. In league play USC and UCLA don’t travel to Utah and Utah doesn’t travel to Washington or Washington State.
LOSSES: Utah had five players play 33 or more minutes per game and they lost only one, Point Guard Janita Badon. Badon averaged 10 points per game although only 11 threes total. She averaged 6 rebounds per game and had a fine 1.4: .9 assist to turnover ratio. Post Rachel Morris averaged 7 minutes and has left the team. Another Post Diana Rolniak has also left the team, I suspect due to injuries. Diana averaged 2 points and 3 rebounds in 14 minutes per game but could only play 13 games.
RETURNEES: Four of the five starters return from last season’s WNIT team. Michelle Plouffe is a 6-4 Jr Center who averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game last season. Plouffe also made 41 threes at 31%. She was on the Canadian Olympic team
Taryn Wicijowski is a 6-3 Redshirt Jr who averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds per game this past season. Like Plouffe, Taryn is Canadian and has played on their Jr National teams.
Iwalani Rodriques is 5-9 Sr Shooting Guard who averaged 11 points per game with 59 threes at 30%. The previous year she averaged 15 points with 110 threes at 45%.
Rachel Messer is a 5-9 Sr Guard who averaged 5 points per game, starting all but one game. She has been consistent hitting about 34 threes in each of her three seasons at an overall 34%.
Cheyenne Wilson is a 5-1 Soph Guard who started 7 games and averaged 4 points and 17 minutes per game.
Chelsea Bridgewater is a 6-0 Sr Forward who played sparingly last season.
NEWCOMERS: Paige Crozon is a 6-1 Frosh Guard who could start right off the bat. She is another Canadian and has played on the past 3 various Youth National teams.
Nakia Arquette is a 6-1 Frosh Froward, ranked # 220.
Ciera Dunbar is a 5-10 Redshirt Soph Point Guard who could start at the Point if healthy. However she missed last season and a great deal of her High School Jr and Sr years with knee injuries.
Awa Kalmstrom is a 5-7 Frosh Guard from Sweden. She has twice played on Swedish youth National teams.
Danielle Rodriquez is a 5-10 Frosh Guard ranked # 222. She averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds for SoCal’s Warren High School last season and qualified for the State Meet in the 1600 meters.
And then along comes transfer Krystal Forthan. Krystal has transferred from LSU and the 6-5 Soph will sit out this season. Forthan was the # 5 Player out of High School, a superstar in the making. However this is her 6th school in 6 years. Four High Schools and two Colleges.
OUTLOOK: Four returning starters and a couple of good newcomers could well spell improvement. Key is winning their non conference games to get the confidence to play against the top tier Pac 12 teams.
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