The podcast is up and here’s some of what you’ll hear:
Starting Five: Beth tosses five questions at Debbie
1) Fantastic Hoops 4 Hope at Reynolds Arena. The Power of Pink – helped NC State win over Miami.
Debbie: Lots of former players attending, unveiling a new banner in honor of Coach Yow.
Debbie: Got some super-secret coach Yow files, Seems coach Yow kept every card, note, letter of intent, transcripts, recruiting letters, Xmas cards, photos of my kids, and resumes… including the paper with Debbie’s “I will be on time to weight training” sentences.
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2) Congrats to Ohio State, champions of the Big-10 conference.
Debbie: Six consecutive. Earliest ever been clinched. Shocking. Thought Big 10 was going to be more competitive. Look out during NCAA selection time.
3) How many bids are going to be open now, with Big 10/Pac-10 weakness.
Debbie: Surprised if they get a combined 8. It’s going to create some philosophical decisions. How many teams in the power leagues get in — there should be an in-Conference RPI.
4) Southern Cal Starting Five
Debbie: So easy, do you need last names?
Cynthia…..Cooper
Cheryl.…..Miller
Lisa……..Leslie
Tina…….Thompson
Pam……..McGee
5) Talk about your brush with celebrity: Danica Patrick a couple of hours after her crash at Daytona.
Debbie: My dork meter continues to rise. Sitting in the Skybox in Atlanta, tiny lady rounds corner. I say, Danica. I stood up and tower over her and say, “Wow, you’re tiny.” (Security!)
There may be a push-up off tween Danica and Ashley Houts. Stay tuned.
Shootaround guests: Memphis coach Melissa McFerrin
B/D: Talk about the growth of Conference-USA. 2, 3 Tournament bids?
MM: We hope so. Memphis/Tulane tied atop conference, strong defensive teams. Great year. East Carolina great offensive team, SMU and Houston.
B/D: You’ve been in WNBA, offensive game plan helped Minnesota to the Final Four. Please don’t tell me you’re spending your time on defense.
MM: Honestly, most people think I’m offensive coach, but in my heart, defensive. Don’t have a lot of scorers, so this year may be being more creative offensively than ever to get the right shots. Brittany Carter our only natural scorer.
B/D: You’ve rebuilt program at American. Doing same at Memphis. How’s your progress?
MM: If you’d asked at beginning of year, I’d have said if we’re not competing to be in top four, I’ll be disappointed. Might have been a stretch. But, wanted to challenge and show confidence. Rebuilding challenging and rewarding – especially to kids who didn’t know success.
We’ve done it untraditionally — assembled a roster from all walks of life – abroad, transfer, JUCO. Simply went out and found talent willing to be part of a team. Whole is better than our parts. Centered around our defensive intensity.
B/D: Make a case for why C-USA should be a two-bid league
MM: We have teams who’ve been aggressive in scheduling and some good out-of-conference wins. We didn’t schedule as Tulane and East Carolina – two best all-around teams. Need to look at them for bids if they don’t win conference title.
B/D: Best part about living in Memphis? Been on Beale Street?
MM: I have, but no leg-shaking involved. I love that Memphis is so crazy about basketball. Really enjoying life in Memphis.
B/D: You’re playing Tulane — keys to win?
MM: They’re a triangle offense team, important to have a great game plan to defend low post. When Brett Benzio goes out, they tend to go to some different offenses and spread the floor. We’re going to have to be on our defensive game plan — steals, rebounding leading to getting out in transition. Good at that, not very good in half-court set.
Jostens “Diamonds in the Rough:” Arkansas Little Rock has won 15 in a row and shaping up to be quite a battle with Middle Tennessee State both with only one loss. Key players: Chastity Reed and Alysha Clarke
Werner Ladder “Rising above the Rest:” St. Mary’s Louella Tomlinson, NCAA shot blocking leader. Griner, though will pass her and challenge Anne Donovan’s record.
Notes from the Cocktail Napkin:
1) What’s the long-term concern in South Bend with the Lindsay Schrader?
She’s tough, but it’s going to be day-to-day. McGraw has an eye to the future.
2) Impressed with Kristy Curry? Had to suspend Kiera Mallard, leading scorer.
Seniors Jordan Murphree and Ashlee Roberson will gut it out. They’ve gone 2-1 since.
3) Coach McFerrin reminds us that Memphis’ Brittany Carter – highest scoring game in nation, at 5’9″ playing around the rim. Had to warn staff that if she hangs on the rim, might get T’d up.
4) Referee asked me why no referees on Rule Committee?
’cause not a member of an NCAA institution.
4) Kudos to Monica Wright – 6th 30+ game. 3rd all time in ACC history behind Alana Beard and Barbara Kennedy. She carries the load every night. One of our more favorite players to talk to.
5) Teams on the bubble: North Carolina, Rutgers, Cal, Kansas, Purdue, LSU.
A tremendous list of potential knockouts. Lucky to play in leagues with ranked teams they can knock off. NC – five losses in a row?
Look out for LSU – Allison Hightower w/ 5 consecutive games of 28+
Comments? Questions: Shootaround@wbca.org
Also, if you’d like to be part of the Shootaround “So You Want to be a Sports Journalist” intern program, drop them a line: Shootaround@ wbca.org
Don’t forget: The podcast is up.2/17
