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Thursday, January 4, 2001
Wahine, Frogs It's way too early to label tomorrow night's Western Athletic Conference women's basketball opener between Texas Christian and Hawaii a showdown.
could contend
UH, TCU early season
encounter may show if
either team can make a
serious run at WAC titleBy Al Chase
Star-BulletinYet, the Wahine (9-2) and the Lady Frogs (8-4) compiled two of the best preseason records in the WAC. They will attempt to make a strong statement in the 7 p.m. game at the Stan Sheriff Center.
In the preseason coaches' poll, UH was picked to finish second and TCU third.
And the Wahine want to christen their new uniforms with a win.
The teams are one-two in the conference in scoring margin, 3-point field goal percentage, scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, blocked shots and defensive rebounds.
UH has the advantage at the free-throw line, but TCU is extremely adept at stealing the ball, averaging 12 swipes a game.
The teams are very close in all other statistical categories.
Kati Safaritova, who played with Wahine point guard Jana Gabrielova at Weatherford College last year, leads TCU in scoring (11.2 points a game), but head coach Jeff Mittie gets balanced scoring from his starters.
Guards Tricia Payne (9.8), Jill Sutton (9.2) and Amy Porter (7.9) all shoot 3-pointers well and top rebounder Janice Thomas averages 8.3 points a game.
"They definitely shoot the 3 and they have a good inside game," UH head coach Vince Goo said. "Their two post players have quickness. They're an athletic team with a lot of depth."
Hawaii counters with top scorers Kylie Galloway (19.5), Crystal Lee (15.0), Dainora Puida (11.4) and Gabrielova (7.5).
The Wahine have a five-game winning streak. They have never lost a WAC opener and are 5-0 all-time against TCU.
But TCU starts three seniors and two juniors, four of whom were instrumental in a 16-win season a year ago.
The Lady Frogs had a seven-game winning streak snapped at Arkansas Dec. 30, but crushed Brown, 80-42, on New Year's Day.
Hawaii is coming off a 16-day break, but Goo said that can't be an excuse.
"If we focus mentally and take care of the details we need to, I think we'll be OK," Goo said.
Here's a look at the rest of the WAC opponents in the order they play Hawaii the first time with preseason record in parentheses:
Southern Methodist (5-6): The Mustangs, picked to win the WAC in the preseason poll, have been plagued all season by poor shooting (.348) from the field.
Three of their losses have been to ranked teams, so forget the record. SMU head coach Rhonda Rompla will have her team in the battle for first place.
Seniors D-dra Rucker, a 5-foot-10 guard, and 6-2 center Katie Remke, have averaged 13.7 and 10.5 points a game, respectively.
They are the only Mustangs to start all 11 games.
Texas-El Paso (5-7): Last season's WAC Freshman of the Year Amy Pack, a 6-0 forward, is leading the Miners again, averaging 18.1 points and 9.5 rebounds.
Heidi Walker, a 6-1 sophomore center, has recovered from an injury-riddled freshman season, to score at a 15.2 clip.
Guard Christina Mata is the only senior starter for head coach Sandra Rushing.
Tulsa (3-7): The Golden Hurricane lost a lot, but will improve as the newcomers gain experience and meld with returning starters Denise Wagner and Carla Morrow.
The top scorer is 6-3 freshman center Becky Heidotten (10.8 ppg) followed closely by 5-11 junior forward Leela Farr (10.3 ppg).
San Jose State (8-4): Head coach Janice Richards brought in seven junior college transfers and four freshmen to revitalize a program that won just three games a year ago.
The Spartans have rebounded behind the play of three guards although they lost their WAC opener to visiting UTEP Tuesday.
Junior college transfers Atari Parker (17.9 ppg) and Danada Smith (15.3 ppg) and freshman Cricket Williams (13.0 ppg) are the top three scorers.
Parker, at 5-9, is pulling down seven rebounds per game.
Rice (8-4): The Owls have seven players averaging 7.1 points or better per game, led by 5-8 freshman guard Kate Beckler (10.7), who comes off the bench.
Forwards Kenya Tuttle and Aarika Florus, both 6-1, are the tallest starters.
The Owls' losses have been to Louisiana Tech, Arizona, Texas Tech and Notre Dame.
Fresno State (4-9): Sophomores Lindsay Logan (16.7 ppg), Tiffany Simon (11.2 ppg) and Omelogo Udeze (11.2 ppg) have shouldered the load for the Bulldogs, who have yet to win two consecutive games this year.
Nevada (7-5): The newest WAC team is led by 6-2 sophomore center Kate Smith (17.6 ppg), 5-5 senior guard Angie Smith (10.2 ppg) and 6-3 freshman forward Ashlee Orndorff (9.6 rebounds per game).
Game time
Who: Hawaii (9-2) vs. TCU(8-4)
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
