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Big 12 Women's Basketball Preview
by CHUCK CARLTON, Staff Writer ccarlton@dallasnews.com , THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Riley, the two-time Big 12 scoring leader, plans to take the same approach this season. The Lincoln product said the evolution of her game from a pure scorer would be a "relief." Coach Kurt Budke has endorsed the move as well.
While Riley averaged 23 points a game last season, the Cowgirls finished a disappointing 17-16.
"It's about whatever it takes to win," Riley said. "I think leadership will be a big part of my game instead of having to score, score, score. There's going to be a lot of different angles and aspects to my game."
Cracking the Top 25
Big 12 teams in the AP preseason poll:
Others receiving votes: Texas A&M,
Ready for normalcy
Baylor coach Kim Mulkey remembers the 2004-05 season fondly, and not just because the Lady Bears won the NCAA title.
"You didn't have issues off the floor, you didn't have injuries, you didn't have tragedies," Mulkey said.
Since then, Baylor has experienced more than its share of all of the above.
Mulkey said she would love to have a year when the most eventful things happen on the court, even if that means accepting the attention that will be directed at 6-8 Brittney Griner, the top player in the nation's top recruiting class.
"It's not like it's new to us," Mulkey said. "We've won a national championship. We know she's a player who is going to demand a lot of attention."
Third year a charm?
Duke took a major step forward in Gail Goestenkors' third season as coach.
Goestenkors hopes the same pattern holds at Texas. The Longhorns haven't been bad in Goestenkors' first two seasons, reaching the NCAA Tournament each year. But they haven't yet made the jump back to national prominence that was expected with the hire of Goestenkors, who produced seven straight 30-win seasons at Duke.
"We've talked about turning the corner," Goestenkors said. "It was the same talk when I went into Duke. It took a few years for the players to understand what I wanted, what I needed, what I expected on a day-to-day basis."
Goestenkors first two season at Texas:
Year Overall Conf. NCAA
'07-08 21-12 7-9 L, 2nd round
'08-09 21-12 8-8 L, 1st round
New season, same questions
Texas A&M players are used to the drill by now.
For the second straight season, the Aggies lost three players who helped build the program: Takia Starks, Danielle Gant and La Toya Micheaux.
"We know every year we lose key players, they ask the same questions over and over," point guard Sydney Colson said. "I think we always find a way to step up and get the job done. We have good players who can step in and do the same thing."
A&M has talent but little experience. And coach Gary Blair has toughened his nonconference schedule with games against Duke, Auburn and Arizona State, as well as two top mid-majors in TCU and Gonzaga.
"We'll be ready for conference," Blair said, "but we'll take some losses early."
TEAMS AT A GLANCE
(In Chuck Carlton's predicted order of finish. Women's college basketball season begins Friday)
1. Baylor
Coach: Kim Mulkey (237-66 in nine seasons)
Last season: 29-6, 12-4 in Big 12 (2nd)
Outlook: The Bears have a strange-looking roster for a preseason conference favorite. Junior guard Kelli Griffin (6.9 ppg) is the only returning starter, although senior forward Morghan Medlock (6.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and combative junior guard Melissa Jones (8.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) provided important minutes last season. The key for Baylor to meet expectations will be the nation's top recruiting class. No matter how talented, freshmen usually need time to adjust.
Impact newcomer: Brittney Griner, the 6-8 freshman from Houston, has already dunked in a preseason game and generated tremendous buzz. She may make an even bigger impact with her defense.
2. Texas
Coach: Gail Goestenkors (33-25 in two seasons)
Last season: 21-12, 8-8 in Big 12 (6th)
Outlook: The personnel and system may be in place for Texas to make a move in the conference. Senior guard Brittainey Raven (13.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and junior forward Kathleen Nash (11.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg) can each play multiple positions, a luxury for Goestenkors. Senior Earnesia Williams (6.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg) brings grit and leadership. One key will be replacing graduated point guard Carla Cortijo.
Impact newcomer: Offensive-minded Cokie Reed has already been calling for the ball in the low post. The 6-4 freshman led Waco Midway to the Class 4A state title, averaging 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds.
3. Kansas
Coach: Bonnie Henrickson (79-79 in five seasons)
Last season: 22-14, 6-10 in Big 12 (tied for 7th)
Outlook: Every year, a North team rises to make a run at the title. Kansas might be this year's contender. Henrickson admitted there's a buzz around the program with four starters returning, led by senior guard Danielle McCray (21.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg), the Big 12's preseason player of the year. At 6-5, Krysten Boogaard (9.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) should be more physical inside.
Impact newcomer: Redshirt freshman point guard Angel Goodrich, a high school All-American, could provide a major boost if she's fully recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
4. Texas A&M
Coach: Gary Blair (129-66 in six seasons)
Last season: 27-8, 11-5 in Big 12 (tied for 3rd)
Outlook: The Aggies should be a factor in the conference despite graduation losses. Blair admits he has plenty of talent. The key is discovering who fits where in the rotation. Point guard Sydney Colson (6.5 ppg) has fully recovered from a knee injury suffered before last season. Wing players Tanisha Smith (10.6 ppg) and Tyra White (5.2 ppg) should have more of a scoring impact this season.
Impact newcomer: Danielle Adams, the junior college player of the year, should give A&M an inside scoring presence. Blair has likened the 6-1 Adams to a woman's version of Charles Barkley.
5. Nebraska
Coach: Connie Yori (121-97 in seven seasons)
Last season: 15-16, 6-10 in Big 12 (tied for 7th)
Outlook: The Cornhuskers may be positioned for a run at the NCAA Tournament with six - yes, six - starters returning. Senior forward Kelsey Griffin, who led the team to NCAA bids in 2007 and '08, returns after missing all of last season. She averaged 15.3 points and 7.2 rebounds as a junior. Griffin will team with forward Cory Montgomery (15.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg) up front. Senior guard Yvonne Turner (11.7 ppg) made 57 3-pointers last season.
Impact newcomer: Freshman point guard Lindsey Moore, a top-100 recruit from Washington, has made an impression in exhibition games.
6. Oklahoma
Coach: Sherri Coale (286-132 in 13 seasons)
Last season: 32-5, 15-1 in Big 12 (1st)
Outlook: The Paris sisters are gone after four years of inside dominance. This season, the focus will be on the perimeter. Junior guard Danielle Robinson (12.9 ppg) might be the quickest end-to-end player in the conference. Sophomore Whitney Hand (9.2 ppg), an Argyle Liberty Christian product, was dominant at times offensively last season.
Impact newcomers: Freshman Lyndsey Cloman and Joanna McFarland will need to contribute inside. Cloman (6-3) brings rebounding and defense; McFarland (6-3) is a pure scorer who had a 47-point, 31-rebound game at her Kansas high school.
7. Iowa State
Coach: Bill Fennelly (307-141 in 14 seasons)
Last season: 27-9, 11-5 in Big 12 (tied for 3rd)
Outlook: Never underestimate a Fennelly-coached team, although this has the look of a rebuilding season after a run to the NCAA regional finals last season. Returning starters Alison Lacey (11.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Kelsey Bolte (9.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) will have to shoulder a large burden early. "There are going to be days when it doesn't seem real fair to them," Fennelly said. "But I have a lot of confidence in them."
Impact newcomer: Only Fennelly would recruit a 6-6 center and talk about her shooting range. Freshman Anna Prins, who led her Colorado high school to three state titles, should be a factor despite a preseason stress fracture in her foot.
8. Oklahoma State
Coach: Kurt Budke (70-57 in four seasons)
Last season: 17-16, 4-12 in Big 12 (tied for 10th)
Outlook: Budke has emphasized chemistry and dedication this season with a drastically different roster. Nine newcomers will join three returnees, led by do-it-all guard Andrea Riley (23.0 ppg). Aussie import Tegan Cunningham (10.1 ppg) can score, and Megan Byford (4.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) played well inside at times.
Impact newcomer: Oklahoma State certainly has enough of them. Junior guard Lakyn Garrison averaged 25.8 points a game in junior college and brings 3-point shooting and can play the point.
9.
Coach: Deb Patterson (265-146 in 13 seasons)
Last season: 25-8, 10-6 Big 12 (5th)
Outlook: The Wildcats, who have been on a nice run in the conference, might take a step back this season with only two starters returning. At 6-2, senior forward Ashley Sweat (16.5 ppg, 5.1 rgp) can score inside or from the perimeter. Senior guard Kari Kincaid (8.0 ppg) led the team with 59 3-pointers. But the loss of do-it-all guard Shalee Lehning leaves a large hole.
Impact newcomer: Guard Brittany Chambers finished with 2,828 career points as a Minnesota high school player and has reached double-figures scoring in two exhibition games.
10. Texas Tech
Coach: Kristy Curry (48-47 in three seasons)
Last season: 16-15, 6-10 in Big 12 (tied for 7th)
Outlook: The Red Raiders, picked 10th in the Big 12, hope to be bigger and more athletic throughout the lineup. Curry has three returning starters in guard Jordan Murphree (11.3 ppg), 6-2 forward Kierra Mallard (9.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and forward Ashlee Roberson (5.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Impact newcomer: In a conference filled with talented and physical inside players, Tech needs 6-5 Kaylan Talley to contribute. Talley missed the last two seasons with ACL tears in both knees.
11. Colorado
Coach: Kathy McConnell-Miller (52-71 in four seasons)
Last season: 11-18, 3-13 in Big 12 (12th)
Outlook: The Buffaloes return four starters. They could be significantly better, but their record may not reflect it. Junior forward Brittany Spears (18.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg) can score around the basket. A healthy Whitney Houston - yes, this team has a Brittany Spears and a Whitney Houston - should solidify the point guard spot. McConnell-Miller hopes a tall, talented recruiting class that includes 6-7 Melissa MacFarlane can help replace center Kara Richards.
Impact newcomer: McConnell-Miller said that athletic freshman guard Chucky Jeffery reminds her of Spears as a freshman and should contribute immediately.
12. Missouri
Coach: Cindy Stein (173-159 in 11 seasons)
Last season: 13-17, 4-12 in Big 12 (11th)
Outlook: Despite returning four starters and 12 letter winners, the Tigers were picked last by conference coaches. Stein, who faces a precarious job situation in the final year of her contract, called the prediction "an extreme insult." Jessra Johnson (13.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg) is the team's leading returning scorer and rebounder.
Impact newcomer: Guard Trenee Thornton shot 54 percent from the field in high school. Stein likes Thornton's defensive game.
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