WEDNESDAY, NOV.7, 2001
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • 11B
NEBRASKA
New recruits bring hope to 'Huskers in coming season
By Jessica Scott Kansan sportswriter
the Nebraska Cornhuskers were picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 Conference preseason coaches poll, yet they still have two reasons to be optimistic this season — Keasha Cannon and Katie Robinette.
comer of the Year. Originally, Cannon signed with Nebraska out of high school. But because of academic reasons, she attended Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Mo., before transferring to Nebraska for her junior season.
She averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds at Penn Valley last year, and she is expected to be the Cobbuskers' starting point guard.
Senior forward/center
Cannon, a graduate of Washington High School in Kansas City, Kan.. was voted Big 12 New
Amanda Cleveland said she was looking forward to finally playing with Cannon.
"She brings something different to the table," Cleveland said. "She fits in well because she knows us. She loves to rebound and run the floor. She has a certain attitude and hunger."
Nebraska coach Paul Sanderford also welcomes having the preseason freshman of the year on his roster, Robinette, a 6-foot-2 forward from South Sioux City, Neb., averaged 19 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a senior and led her team to three state titles in four years. She is expected to make an immediate impact for the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska, which finished 12-18 last year and 4-12 in the Big 12, failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in four years under Sanderford.
"I am really impressed with freshman Katie Robinette." Sanderford said. "She expects to win and plays with a certain amount of confidence."
However, 13 of his team's 18 losses came against teams that reached the tournament. Eleven of those losses came in games against conference opponents.
"It was frustrating because it was something that I had never been through," Sanderford said. "We've dedicated the off-season to getting faster and stronger. We're focused on developing mental toughness and resiliency to compete in the league."
One of the players who will add to the athleticism of the Nebraska team is sophomore Shannon Howell. The 5-10 guard from Los Angeles is the Cornhuskers' top returning scorer. She earned a starting point-guard role her freshman season. Sanderford plans on moving her to shooting guard for the 2001 season in an effort to improve her game.
"She has matured tremendously," he said. "I think she has the opportunity to be a very good player."
Contact Scott at 864-4858
Cyclones to build on experience
IOWA STATE
Kansan sportswriter
Angie Welle is modest almost too modest for Iowa State women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly.
By Jessica Scott
Welle, Iowa State's 6-foot-4 senior center, is a member of the 2001-2002 Big 12 Conference
But Welle doesn't dwell on these accomplishments, she focuses on her weak spots.
Fennelly values his star player's character.
"Most kids will get out there and say, 'Well, I didn't get help,' but Angie will take the responsibility for not guarding a girl even if it is not her player," Fennelly said. "That is the type of person she is."
Women's Basketball Preseason Team and earned an Associated Press All-America third-team nomination last season.
"I think I am just going to have to play a lot better than I have in the past," she said. "My biggest weakness is making turnovers or
getting into foul trouble early. That is just something that I'm going to have to work at."
After finishing third in the Big 12 regular season standings, Iowa State captured its second consecutive Big 12 Tournament championship as Welle earned tournament MVP honors. The Cyclones advanced to the NCAA tournament as a second seed in the Midwest Region, where they defeated Howard University and Florida State en route to a Sweet 16 match against Vanderbilt. The Cyclones lost 84-65, but Welle
said that game did not rattle Iowa State's confidence.
One of the newcomers for the Cyclones is 6-1 forward Melanie Bremer, a transfer from Northeast Community College. The junior has been nagged by foot and finger injuries but hopes to assist Welle with scoring this season.
"I think Coach has developed a system and we are not going to change a whole lot," Welle said. "Right now I think we are looking great and the people we have brought in are adjusting well. We still have people returning and we are going to just keep the same process we have had."
The Cyclones begin their non-conference season against the Marquette Golden Eagles on Nov.17 in Milwaukee.
Contact Scott at 864-4858
TEXAS TECH Red Raiders out to repeat past success on the court
By Eric Flaton Kansan sportswriter
Led by Marsha Sharp, its coach for 19 years, the Texas Tech women's basketball team took to the road hoping to build on a dominant performance last year.
After completing last season with a 25-7 record, Texas Tech fell 74-72 in the Sweet. 16
"I think it will toughen us pretty early," Sharp said. "Anytime you get away from Lubbock and have to rely on each other and have to grow up a little bit, I think it probably helps you some."
against Purdue last season.
Texas Tech sees its travels as a way to strengthen team spirit.
The team will start this season with four road games. The Red Raiders begin with a trip to Durham, N.C., on Sunday and face Duke before going on to Oregon and face Oregon State on Saturday, Nov. 24, and Oregon on Monday, Nov. 26.
The team will rely on sophomore Jia Perkins. Perkins was voted the team's most valuable player last season and was added to the NCAA Midearst Regional All-Tournament team. Perkins said she wanted to turn up the tempo this season.
Snap has a 459-141 record and has coached Texas Tech to 12 straight NCAA tournament appearances. As she leads the program into another year, Sharp said she thought her team would have to work together to compete in the Big 12.
"I think that we have a lot of new people that will provide a lot of depth on the bench." Perkins said. "That will let us run the floor more and tire out the other team."
"I think we have a good group." Sharp said. "I feel our chemistry will be an important part of how good we'll be."
Contact Flaton at 864-4858
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