Searching for a spark to ignite the UW women’s basketball team (8-11, 2-7), head coach Lisa Stone has shuffled her starting lineup, using six different combinations in as many games.
“I’ve never in 19 years juggled a starting line up as much as I have, but we’re trying to find answers,” Stone said. “We’re doing all we can to put ourselves in a position to be successful, and I believe that we’re getting better, and whether that lineup changes every game, that I don’t know yet. If I can lock into something, I certainly would like to. What it does is it makes practice that much more intense. People are battling; they want to get on the court.”
Stone’s lineup changes are aimed at improving the Badgers’ struggling offense, which currently ranks 10th in the Big Ten with an average of 57.5 points per game.
“I’m a pretty big offensive person, and we’re trying to find the best offensive continuity and consistency we can,” Stone said. “If that’s juggling the lineup as much as we have to, then we certainly will.”
In the UW women’s basketball team’s 59-48 loss to Minnesota Feb. 1, Stone introduced another new starting lineup, giving reserve forwards Kjersten Bakke and Jordan Wilson the starting nod in place of forward Ebba Gebisa and center Emily Ashbaugh.
“Bakke has stepped up to the plate and is willing to do anything, and I think that we have made note of her efforts throughout the entire year,” Stone said. “Bakke makes Jordan [Wilson] better. The two of them really battle, and the reason the two of them were in the lineup yesterday was because of their rebounding abilities.”
In her second start of the season, Bakke recorded two points, two rebounds, and three assists. Wilson posted four points, one rebound and three assists in her sixth start of the year.
Coming off the bench for the first time this season, Ebba Gebisa scored five points and pulled down three rebounds. Her sister, center Lello Gebisa, led the Badgers with 13 points and grabbed 11 boards to record her second consecutive double-double.
After Ebba left the starting lineup against Minnesota, guards Stephanie Rich and Ashley Josephson are the only Badgers to start every game this season. Josephson and Rich lead the team in scoring with 11.9 points per game and 10.5 points per game, respectively. Rich leads the Big Ten in assists, averaging 6.16 per contest.
Badgers continue demanding stretch
After tough losses against No. 5 Purdue and No. 12 Minnesota, the Badgers will take on No. 18 Michigan State Thursday in their third consecutive game against a ranked opponent. Though UW has not earned a win over the stretch, the Badgers have competed against the top teams in the Big Ten.
“It’s rewarding to hear the opposing coaches talk about our effort and that we battle for 40 minutes and things of that nature,” Stone said. “But we really want to see the results come out and our efforts be rewarded.”
Stone adjusts to new challenge: In her 19-year career as a head coach, Stone has never faced the challenge that this season has posed. In her previous 18 seasons, Stone has never finished with a record below .500. However, at 8-11, the Badgers are currently on pace to hand Stone the first losing season of her coaching career.
While some coaches would blame their players or begin to question their coaching abilities, Stone has remained positive.
“We’re battling, we’re competing and the results are not as we wish,” Stone said. “I’m not big on moral victories, although there are a lot of good things to take. My attitude is very positive about our team. I believe in our hard work. Sometimes success is measured in different ways, and I feel that we’re making some great strides.”
Nelson injured: In yesterday’s practice, forward Annie Nelson injured her left knee. Nelson will be evaluated by the UW medical staff, and her status is currently unknown. Nelson has seen action in six games this season, averaging 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds per game.