1993-94 Women's Basketball Preview
Lofty expectations
Last year's Big Eight tournament champions deal with the pressure of defending a title
By Gerry Fey
Kansan sportswriter
High expectations abound for the Kansas women's basketball team this season, especially from the media,the Big Eight coaches and the Jayhawk players.
Since last year's team won the Big Eight tournament and ended with a 21-9 record, the Jayhawks are expected to be No.1 in the conference again, according to NCAA magazine.
Kansas coach Marian Washington said the pressures that accompanied high expectations didn't worry her.
"I don't think there is any more pressure than what they put on themselves," Washington said of her players. "There are a lot of people on this team that really want to do well this year."
The expectations for the team should be high, since Kansas returns four starters to the team. That includes a preseason All-American, junior guard/forward Angela Aycock, and the Big Eight's leading shot blocker, senior Lisa Tate.
With those players returning, the outlook is good for Kansas, but Washington said injuries would be the key this season because only 10 players were on scholarship.
"I think our biggest challenge will begin with our ability to stay injury-free," Washington said. "It's not something you can control. If we are fortunate, we'll have an opportunity to get very close to what we did last year."
Another challenge will be replacing last year's three seniors. Gone are Shannon Kite, Stacy Truitt and Jo Jo Witherspoon. But Washington said she was confident that this year's seniors could pick up where last year's left off. This year's seniors are guards Michelle Leathers and Ericka Muncy and center Tate.
Adding to that combination is Aycock named the fourth-best small forward in the
nation by NCAA magazine. Washington said she would also have to be a leader on the team, like she was last year.
Aycock led last year's team to the Big Eight title, averaging 19.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in the conference tournament. She said the pressure would not be problematic for the team.
"I don't think as a whole there is much pressure," Aycock said. "We know what we're capable of doing. It's just a matter of getting out there and doing it."
The Jayhawks will not be underestimated this year as they were last year, Muncy said.
"Everybody will put us at the top," Muncy said. "All the Big Eight teams lost good players. We did too, but we have good depth."
Muncy said Kansas looked even better on paper than last year's team.
"As a senior, I just want to go all the way," Muncy said. "We have the best players. We are the quickest and the strongest, and we all play smart. We'll just have to prove it on the court."
Last year's team did prove equal to its abilities by receiving a berth in the NCAA tournament. The players expect to go farther than last season's first-round NCAA loss..
Forward Shelly Canada is one of four Kansas freshmen that make up one of the best recruiting classes in the country. She said the younger players also were ready for the season.
"Nothing should stop us," Canada said. "I'm looking for a Final Four appearance. I'm nervous, but also excited. I'll take advantage of every opportunity I have. I'll play the role that I can on the team."
Washington said the team had a good mix of experienced and inexperienced players.
"We're still relatively young, but its very nice to combine the older players with the risk-taking younger players," she said. "If we stay injury-free, we'll be an exciting team to watch."
Team roster
No. Name Pos. Ht. Class Hometown
3 Charisse Sampson G 5-10 So. Los Angeles
12 Angela Aycock G-F 6-2 Jr. Dallas
13 Alana Slatter F 6-0 Jr. Dallas
22 Erika Muncy G 5-6 Sr. Lexington, Ky.
24 Michelle Leathers G 5-6 Sr. Pantego, N.C.
30 Angie Halbeib G 5-10 Fr. Middleton, Wis.
33 Tamecka Dixon G 5-9 Fr. Linden, N.J.
44 Shelly Canada F 6-1 Fr. Sapulpa, Okla.
51 Jennifer Trapp F 6-1 Fr. Lawrence
55 Lisa Tate C 6-3 Sr. Kansas City, Mo.
Doug Hesse / KANSAN
Kansas senior center Lisa Tate goes up for a shot against Colorado center Abby Wirfs during a Big Eight tournament semifinal game. The Jayhawks won last year's semifinal 81-78 in double overtime, and Kansas defeated Nebraska 64-60 in the championship game.
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KANSAN
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW • University Daily Kansan • November 17, 1993