SPORTS
UW looks for seniors to lead way
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Also by Michael Poppy:
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by Michael Poppy
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
It's safe to say the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team is not having quite the season it hoped for this year.
With five games remaining in the regular season, Wisconsin is currently 8-15 (2-9) and hoping to end the season strong if, for anything, to send the four senior captains — Kjersten Bakke, Ashley Josephson, Annie Nelson and Jordan Wilson — out on a high note.
Since the senior quartet came to the UW program in 2002-03, they have compiled a 37-63 (.370) record and would like to end this season unlike the previous three.
"Our seniors want to finish strong," head coach Lisa Stone said. "In our locker room right now we've got four sad seniors. We're going to get them back on track and throw the team on their back because we've obviously got some talented, young players, but our seniors want to finish differently than they have before."
Stone believes that the past experiences of disappointment for the seniors will give them an edge in turning this season around and helping the program build towards the future.
"This is the season that they want what they've been looking for all four years," Stone added. "And, you know, whether they're on the court or not, they're trying to provide as much leadership and find ways."
Stone continues to maintain optimism and insist that this disappointing season is not a lost cause, but she also acknowledges her team has yet to find its identity. Even with only five games remaining, Stone is hoping her team can show some flashes of their full potential and make a run in the Big Ten tournament.
"[The seniors] want to go out with a memorable record, and we still can, but we have to make a push and we're going to have to beat some tough teams, some ranked teams here at home," Stone said. "The Big Ten, there's certain parity and we want our seniors to help lead us as we try to make this late push and the charge into the Big Ten Tournament."
Although the current season has been far from successful — or even decent, for that matter — it will probably be written off by many for several reasons.
The team has endured more than its fair share of injuries and suspensions with Nelson, Bakke and Josephson all missing considerable time at one point or another this season, not to mention injuries to Brittany Cannon, Akiya Alexander, and Janese Banks.
Also, the lack of a true point guard is evident with Jolene Anderson and Janese Banks — both natural off-guards — sharing the duties.
Furthermore, the Badgers are an extremely young team and have been playing like it with a 0-6 record in games decided by six points or less.
Nevertheless, Stone believes her program is still headed in the right direction for the future.
"I truly believe what we're doing is right," Stone said. "We're staying the course and we're not flinching and we believe in what we're doing. There are not a whole lot of changes. We just need to get things done and find ways to win and not find ways not to win."
But for Stone, there may be some pressure to put together a winning season next year.
Currently in her third season on campus, this was supposed to be her breakout year after completing her first two seasons with 10-17 and 12-16 records, respectively.
And with Jolene Anderson and Janese Banks returning from superb freshman campaigns, all the makings were there for at least a .500 record and possibly a WNIT bid.
However, things just never came together and next year will be looked upon as Stone's year to shine with much of this year's young nucleus returning and McDonald's All-American Teah Gant arriving on campus.
Anonymous (February 8, 2006 @ 12:27pm):
The problem is apparent lack of team-ball. Too much dribbling and too little passing. Always the same (guards) shooting and many shots are forced one and done. Lack of touches by posts, no in/out , no high/low, no drive/dish (only drive).
Talent is there but star-system in place breeds ball-hogging, gunning shots and lack of team passing.
BB is 50% offense and 50% defense. Defense often inept at perimeter and on transitions. Guards hang around low post-area looking for offensive rbs and get stuck at the gate when other team rebounds and pushes ball downcourt. Too many uncontested shots from outside result from offensive-minded guards not guarding close on d.
Wisconsin womens bb will only get better when scoring is more balanced and all five on floor are touching the ball on offensive sets. This means more passing and screen sets by more than one or two players and less dribbling to setup shots. Players need a pass-first mentality and not keep looking at hoop on when dribbling. Need better shot selections and better passing into posts. Some of the guards simply do not know how to pass into a low-post player - those low-post bounce passes turn a 6'4 into a 5'2 player. Defense will improve if all players are held more accountable for uncontested shots. Would also help if a player does not have to play 39 out of 40 minutes on floor.
