in exhibition play last night, SMU defeated the Houston Jaguars, 96-63. The Jaguars are an AAU sponsored team comprised of former college stars, and a few former WNBA players. Their roster is somewhat flexible, so the team that SMU played consisted of some of the same players that almost upset perennial power UConn on November 1st, but also some of the players that lost to North Texas by 20 points, on Nov. 2nd. The Jaguars did have former WNBA stars Nekiesha Henderson (Univ. of Texas) and Umeki Webb (NC State), but the team was lead in scoring by former Lady Mustang Shante Roberts, who had 12 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
2 possible starters, Katy Cobb and Joslin Greenard, did not dress for the game, because of minor injuries. Greenard will return for the 2nd exhibition game on Sunday, and Cobb is expected to play when the Lady Mustangs begin the Pre-season WNIT tournament. Both started the majority of last season, but face strong competition to keep their positions this year.
Sharee Shepherd and Julie Colli started in place of Greenard and Cobb. Colli had 15 points, mostly from driving to the basket and drawing fouls. Julie also spent time at point guard, and did a decent job of handling the ball and running the offense. Sharee hit her first 2 shots, but went cold after that, and also made some unforced turnovers. It will be interesting to see if she remains the starter when Greenard returns.
Janelle Dodds played less than half the game, but when she was on the court she scored at will. Last years WAC Newcomer of the Year poured in 20 points in just 18 minutes of court time, and shot a perfect 6/6 from the floor and 8/8 from the line. Nellie also grabbed 5 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots.
Junior forward Katie Gross was one of the first players off the bench, and her 3-point shooting helped the Lady Mustangs to break out to an early 20 point lead. Kate finished with 10 points.
Kendall Shead finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. With Cobb out, Kendall played most of the game at point guard. She was probably on the court longer than Coach Rhompola would have liked, considering the blow out score, but without Cobb, she is the only true point guard.
Sarah Davis also played limited minutes, but finished with 6 points and 8 rebounds, in just 19 minutes of court time.
Overall the team shot well, 45% from the floor and 83% from the free throw line. Rebounding was even, at 52 apiece. SMU never trailed, and lead by as much as 37 points.
Womens exhibition game.
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by EmeraldCityPony » Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:30 pm
How do we look this year in regards to the rest of the conference? Where are we expected to finish?
It's a crappy job but someone's gotta do it.
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EmeraldCityPony 
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by The XtC » Fri Nov 04, 2005 4:30 pm
In the pre-season coaches poll, the Lady Mustangs were picked 3rd, behind Rice and Houston, and ahead of Tulsa and Marshall.
The Rice women finished 2nd in the WAC last year, then won the WAC tournament and went to the NCAA tourney. They return almost everyone from that team. Their coach was hired away by Clemson, but the man replacing her should do very well. He had a very successful run as the head coach at Univ. of Houston, and has spent the last few years as an assistant in the WNBA. Greg knows what he's doing, and he should be succcessful at Rice. Plus, he's a Rice alum, and the fans there already love him.
Rice is the correct pick for pre-season favorite, based on what they did last year, and who they have back. However, we did beat them soundly last year in Moody, and this year we should have much better depth. I think we can challenge them.
Houston made the NCAA tournament last year, and was even ranked in the top-20 for awhile. They lost 4 starters, though, and are having to start over. They will get a big boost from 2 transfers who become eligible during the semester break, though. Its hard to tell exactly how Houston will do this year, they should have talent, but lack experience.
Tulsa was an NIT team last year, and their star player is back. Their coach was hired away by Colorado, though, and her replacement lacks experience as a head coach and is something of an unknown quantity. They should still be competitive.
Marshall won 19 games last year, but didnt get a post-season bid. They have 4 starters back from that team, though, including their star, and they should be an improved team. C-USA will be a step up, competition-wise, from the MAC.
Memphis was expected to be a contender for the C-USA title last year, but they severely underachieved. Hard to say how they will do this year, they should have some talented players.
After that, there really isnt much to say about the rest of the conference. Tulane and Southern Miss had down years last year. I dont think UTEP, UAB, East Carolina or UCF have ever been particularly good.
The Rice women finished 2nd in the WAC last year, then won the WAC tournament and went to the NCAA tourney. They return almost everyone from that team. Their coach was hired away by Clemson, but the man replacing her should do very well. He had a very successful run as the head coach at Univ. of Houston, and has spent the last few years as an assistant in the WNBA. Greg knows what he's doing, and he should be succcessful at Rice. Plus, he's a Rice alum, and the fans there already love him.
Rice is the correct pick for pre-season favorite, based on what they did last year, and who they have back. However, we did beat them soundly last year in Moody, and this year we should have much better depth. I think we can challenge them.
Houston made the NCAA tournament last year, and was even ranked in the top-20 for awhile. They lost 4 starters, though, and are having to start over. They will get a big boost from 2 transfers who become eligible during the semester break, though. Its hard to tell exactly how Houston will do this year, they should have talent, but lack experience.
Tulsa was an NIT team last year, and their star player is back. Their coach was hired away by Colorado, though, and her replacement lacks experience as a head coach and is something of an unknown quantity. They should still be competitive.
Marshall won 19 games last year, but didnt get a post-season bid. They have 4 starters back from that team, though, including their star, and they should be an improved team. C-USA will be a step up, competition-wise, from the MAC.
Memphis was expected to be a contender for the C-USA title last year, but they severely underachieved. Hard to say how they will do this year, they should have some talented players.
After that, there really isnt much to say about the rest of the conference. Tulane and Southern Miss had down years last year. I dont think UTEP, UAB, East Carolina or UCF have ever been particularly good.
Try not to choke on the Kool-Aid.
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by The XtC » Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:08 am
In their 2nd exhibition game, the Lady Mustangs defeated a traveling professional team, sponsored by Everyones Internet. The EI team was composed of former WNBA players, none of whom are on any teams current roster, but they are hoping this will help get them invited to training camp with one of the pro teams. For comparison, they would be equivalent to a CBA or NBA Developmental League team. EI was coached by Houston Comets assistant coach Kevin Cook. On their current tour, EI has already beaten 12th ranked Univ. of Texas, as well as Houston, Rice and Louisiana-Lafayette. Their only other loss has been against 3rd ranked LSU.
EI was may be the tallest and most physical team that SMU plays this season, and they got taller when former Vanderbilt All-American center Chantelle Anderson was added to their roster right before playing the Mustangs. The 6'5" Anderson scored the first 6 points of the game, and was an intimidating presence in the paint. SMU struggled to score early in the game, with their post players unable to shoot over the taller EI front line.
Unable to score in the post, the Lady Mustangs turned to their perimeter players, primarily Julie Colli and Kendall Shead. Colli's 3-point basket gave SMU its first lead at 14-12, and she was also able to break down the EI defense with strong drives into the paint. The real key, though, was on defense. Tight man-to-man defense generated 10 steals and 17 turnovers. SMU scored 23 points off turnovers, compared to just 2 for EI. By denying the passing lanes and disrupting the flow of the offense, the smaller Lady Mustangs were able to slow down the taller and stronger professional players. SMU has good depth this year at the wing positions, and Coach Rhompola rotated in several groups of players to keep the pressure on. EI still had an advantage in the paint, but SMU shut them down on the perimeter, where EI went 0/10 from 3-point range. The Lady Mustangs shot 5/10 from outside the arc.
SMU built an 11 point lead before the half. The 2nd half went back and forth, SMU never lead by more than 14, but EI never got closer than 5 points. In the games closing seconds, Anderson was ejected after a double technical foul. Julie Colli made 3/4 free throws to give SMU a final margin of 64-51. Colli lead all scorers with 16 points.
This was the Julie Colli that we have been hoping to see since she transferred to SMU from Vandy. After sitting out for 3 years because of the transfer and then injuries, she was understandably a bit rusty this past off-season. But tonight she played like the leader many people expected her to be.
Janelle Dodds started the game slowly, struggling against a taller defense, but she finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds. The most positive thing to take away from this game, though, is that SMU took the lead even while their star was struggling. Last year, if the post players werent scoring, the team struggled to find any offense at all. Tonight, with the posts cut off, other people stepped up and did a tremndous job. Kendall Shead had 12 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. Sarah Davis had just 6 points, but lead the team with 4 assists. Joslin Greenard returned to the lineup tonight, and although she didnt start, she did play very strong defense.
Katie Cobb did not play tonight, but is expected to return for the first game when SMU starts the Pre-Season NIT tourney. Cobb will likely start at shooting guard, and Colli will move over to small forward. Several players will rotate at 2 and 3, though, and Cobb will also play some time at point guard.
In a small bit of irony, Julie Colli and Chantelle Anderson were once teammates. They played together on Vanderbilts Final Four team in 2002.
This was a strong performance for SMU, considering that their opponent already beat the Lady Longhorns, the 2 teams picked in front of us in C-USA (Houston and Rice) and our first round opponent in the NIT. EI defeated Louisiana-Lafayette, 84-51, last week.
SMU tips off against U. La-Lafayette at 7 pm, Nov. 11th. A victory that night will probably mean a trip to Norman to play 25th ranked Oklahoma, in the 2nd round of the tournament.
EI was may be the tallest and most physical team that SMU plays this season, and they got taller when former Vanderbilt All-American center Chantelle Anderson was added to their roster right before playing the Mustangs. The 6'5" Anderson scored the first 6 points of the game, and was an intimidating presence in the paint. SMU struggled to score early in the game, with their post players unable to shoot over the taller EI front line.
Unable to score in the post, the Lady Mustangs turned to their perimeter players, primarily Julie Colli and Kendall Shead. Colli's 3-point basket gave SMU its first lead at 14-12, and she was also able to break down the EI defense with strong drives into the paint. The real key, though, was on defense. Tight man-to-man defense generated 10 steals and 17 turnovers. SMU scored 23 points off turnovers, compared to just 2 for EI. By denying the passing lanes and disrupting the flow of the offense, the smaller Lady Mustangs were able to slow down the taller and stronger professional players. SMU has good depth this year at the wing positions, and Coach Rhompola rotated in several groups of players to keep the pressure on. EI still had an advantage in the paint, but SMU shut them down on the perimeter, where EI went 0/10 from 3-point range. The Lady Mustangs shot 5/10 from outside the arc.
SMU built an 11 point lead before the half. The 2nd half went back and forth, SMU never lead by more than 14, but EI never got closer than 5 points. In the games closing seconds, Anderson was ejected after a double technical foul. Julie Colli made 3/4 free throws to give SMU a final margin of 64-51. Colli lead all scorers with 16 points.
This was the Julie Colli that we have been hoping to see since she transferred to SMU from Vandy. After sitting out for 3 years because of the transfer and then injuries, she was understandably a bit rusty this past off-season. But tonight she played like the leader many people expected her to be.
Janelle Dodds started the game slowly, struggling against a taller defense, but she finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds. The most positive thing to take away from this game, though, is that SMU took the lead even while their star was struggling. Last year, if the post players werent scoring, the team struggled to find any offense at all. Tonight, with the posts cut off, other people stepped up and did a tremndous job. Kendall Shead had 12 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. Sarah Davis had just 6 points, but lead the team with 4 assists. Joslin Greenard returned to the lineup tonight, and although she didnt start, she did play very strong defense.
Katie Cobb did not play tonight, but is expected to return for the first game when SMU starts the Pre-Season NIT tourney. Cobb will likely start at shooting guard, and Colli will move over to small forward. Several players will rotate at 2 and 3, though, and Cobb will also play some time at point guard.
In a small bit of irony, Julie Colli and Chantelle Anderson were once teammates. They played together on Vanderbilts Final Four team in 2002.
This was a strong performance for SMU, considering that their opponent already beat the Lady Longhorns, the 2 teams picked in front of us in C-USA (Houston and Rice) and our first round opponent in the NIT. EI defeated Louisiana-Lafayette, 84-51, last week.
SMU tips off against U. La-Lafayette at 7 pm, Nov. 11th. A victory that night will probably mean a trip to Norman to play 25th ranked Oklahoma, in the 2nd round of the tournament.
Try not to choke on the Kool-Aid.
- The XtC
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by The XtC » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:56 pm
EVI was the equivalent of a CBA team, legitimate pros. It was a strong performance by our team, and if they can keep up that level of intensity they should have a successful year. I took a look at the Tech boxscore, and it looks like the Red Raiders went with their starters and 2 main subs for most of the game, they were trying to win it, they didnt clear their bench. Chantelle Anderson didnt play against Tech, but she did play in EVI's win over Texas.
Try not to choke on the Kool-Aid.
- The XtC
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- Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:19 pm
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