SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. Seton Hall opens the season at the WBCA/Metrosports Classic against Kansas on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 3:00 p.m. The tournament continues on Sunday, Nov. 12, against either Iowa or Missouri State in the consolation (3:00 p.m.) or championship game (5:30 p.m.). SHU returns all five starters from last season’s team, but were picked 16th in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches Poll released at theleague’s media day. Kansas advanced to the WNIT Second Round last season, but has to replace its top three scorers. The Jayhawks were picked 10th in the Big 12 preseason poll.
The WBCA field is rounded out by Iowa and Missouri State. The Hawkeyes were picked fifth in the Big Ten after earning an at-large NCAA bid in 2006. Iowa is led by Megan Skouby, last year’s league newcomer of the year. Misouri State won last year’s Missouri Valley Conference tourney and went to the NCAA Tournament, but must replace four starters from last year’s squad. With just three returnees, the Bears were picked seventh in the preseason league poll.
The Pirates have not faced any of the three potential opponents, although KU head coach Bonnie Henrickson led Virginia Tech in the BIG EAST for four seasons, during which time the Hokies defeated SHU in five meetings.
GAME INFORMATION
WBCA/Metrosports Classic
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006 Municipal Auditorium 3:00 p.m.
TV: None Radio: WSOU 89.5 FM Live Stats: www.kuathletics.com
More on The Jayhawks
The Jayhawks have turned around the direction of the program under coach Henrickson, claiming their first postseason bid since 2000 with a WNIT appearance last year. KU lost its top three scorers, but can rely on Ivana Catic to lead the team. Catic led the team with 137 assists last seasn and averaged 7.7 points. Marija Zinic will lead the frontcourt after playing in 29 games last year and averaging 3.9 rebounds and 5.9 points.
KU opened the year with a pair of exhibition wins over Fort Hays State (80-55) and Washburn (68-62). Danielle McCray led the team in scoring, averaging 13.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. The Jayhawks shot nearly 47 percent from the floor in both wins and outrebounded the opponents, 40.5-31.5. KU was shaky with the ball, committing 45 turnovers in two games and shot just 3-of-16 (.188) from the arc.
A Look At The Bears
Missouri State will look to build off of last season’s success when it won four-straight games to take the MVC title and advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Bears must replace four starters from that squad and have just three returnees that played significant minutes.
Junior Tiff Terwelp will be the leader as she started 25 games last year, averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 boards per game. Junior Tahnee Balerio was a part-time starter and scored 8.2 points, while posting 86 assists. The pair helped Missouri State to a pair of exhibition wins over Arkansas Tech (75-55) and Pittsburg State (60-46). Terwelp averaged 22.0 ppg and 11.5 rpg, while Balerio posted 15.0 ppg and had a 8:3 assist:turnover ratio.
A Look At The Hawkeyes
Iowa was another postseason participant, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament with a 17-12 mark. The Hawkeyes lost to BYU in the first round, but return a pair of starters, including conference newcomer of the year, Megan Skouby. Skouby averaged 14.3 pints and 5.0 rebounds and blocked 47 shots as a freshman. Joining her on the frontline is Krista VandeVenter, who averaged a team-high 8.2 boards and scored 8.9 points. Abby Emmert started eight games last year and is the most experienced backcourt players for Iowa. The Hawkeyes dominated in their opening exhibition game, dropping Northern State, 88-55, and droppped Concordia-St. Paul, 70-50. Skouby averaged 19.5 points in both games, while Jenee Graham grabbed 14.5 boards per game.
To open the year...
Seton Hall had a six-game win streak in season-openers snapped in a 52-48 loss to Florida last season. Before that SHU had not lost a season-opener since the 1998-99 season. The Pirates are an impressive 16-5 all-time under head coach Phyllis Mangina in season-openers.
Captains of the Ship
Seton Hall announced its captains for the 2006-07 season - senior forward Monique Blake, senior forward Heta Korpivaara and redshirt junior Amber Harris. All three are returning starters and will provide SHU with veteran leadership on a squad with seven underclassmen.
