Bernell DorroughHaving made 14 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and claimed four national titles in the last six years, the women’s basketball program has a history of winning, setting records, and continuing success.
Last season, the women, who made an Elite Eight appearance, went 26-2 and 14-0 at home. The women also won their sixth straight UAA Conference title in 2002-2003 with a 13-1 conference record.
But that was last year. One can only speculate what head coach Nancy Fahey and her women may accomplish this winter.
Going undefeated at home, winning another conference title, or perhaps winning yet another national title is easier said than done. This is why the women plan to take the season one win at a time.
“We have goals,” Fahey said. “We state them like every team does. Then we go on day-by-day, game-by-game and enjoy each moment as the season progresses. Right now, the goal is to beat DePauw.”
The ladies’ season starts today with the Illinois Wesleyan Tip-Off Tournament in Bloomington, Ill. The Bears will face DePauw University tonight, and if they win, they will also take on the winner of the Illinois College-Illinois Wesleyan contest in Saturday’s championship game.
“We have seen all of these teams before,” Fahey said. “DePauw is one of the best teams in the country. DePauw is extremely well-coached and very disciplined. They are a very tough game. They finished second in a very competitive league last season.”
DePauw finished last season 22-5 with a 12-2 record in conference play.
According to Fahey, Illinois College players pose a tough matchup because they always give effort in every facet of the game.
“They are a hard nosed group,” she said. “They keep coming at you and coming at you.”
As for Illinois Wesleyan, they excel in transition, where they can utilize a plethora of offensive weapons.
“They have strong three-point shooting and play at a high tempo,” Fahey said. “They have really opened up their game.”
The Bears have beat both DePauw and Illinois Wesleyan 13 of the14 times they have played, and the Lady Blues of Illinois College have gone 0-12 against the Bears. Still, Fahey has respect for each program.
“I respect every opponent,” she said. “I think that’s key. You need a sense of humility. We will go into every game with the confidence that we can win, but still knowing that we have to play well or we will lose.”
The lineup will look different for the Bears as they return 15 letter winners from last season, but only two starters. Laura Crowley is one of six players who have been lost to graduation. The guard was last season’s UAA Player of the Year.
However, the women’s roster still contains several conference standouts and a solid senior class.
Guard Kelly Manning, who earned first team All-Conference honors as a freshman last season, teams with forward Hallie Hutchens, who made second team All-UAA as a sophomore. Guards Leslie Berger, a junior, and Lesley Hawley, a senior and co-captain, also received honorable mentions in the conference.
“This weekend, I would like to see us play our own style of play, which is up-tempo,” Fahey said. “A lot of players who saw limited action last year have really stepped up [in practice].”
Hawley will be the sole returning starter in the backcourt. She shot just over 50 percent from the field last year, en route to 10 points per game. She also averaged over three rebounds a game and collected a team-high 42 steals.
Upperclassmen like Hawley know how to lead the team because of past success.
“The five seniors, our captains, have a variety of histories on how they have gotten to the point where they are,” Fahey said. “I tell them this is their legacy.”
Manning also averaged ten points and 3.5 rebounds per game last year. She led the squad in free throw shooting with a 81.2 percentage. The sophomore was a late addition to the team last year, as she had just transferred to the University. Fahey expects to see Manning’s impact grow this season as she settles into her role.
Look for Hutchens to continue her dominance in the frontcourt this season. She shot 54.8 percent from the field, and averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 boards for the Bears last winter.
The Bears like to run and focus on an inside-out approach to scoring. Hutchens is key to the running game, and junior Terri Lakowski is a pillar inside. Senior Suzy Digby is skilled in both scoring inside and contributing from the perimeter.
The Bears will open at home November 25, challenging cross-town rival Webster University.
“They press. They’re quick,” Fahey said. “When we play them it’s always exciting.”
This season conference play for the Bears begins January 10 when they take on the University of Chicago at home. The University will play conference rival Rochester University twice, including at home February 8. Rochester was the only conference team to rattle the Bears last season, as they defeated the red and green 82-73.
The regular season finale will be in Chicago as the Bears face off against the Maroons February 28.
After that the Bears will hope to take on the nation’s top teams yet again in the NCAA Div. III Tournament that begins March 3.