The 2007-08 season will bring about many changes for the Thundering Herd women's basketball program. Gone are the familiar faces of KaShawna Curry, Bridget Chacon and Modupe Ishola. Curry, who was a four-year starter, was a team leader while Ishola, last year's leading scorer on the team, gave the Herd what was the best inside presence in Conference USA while Chacon's leadership at the point guard position will be sorely missed. While these are significant losses, there are several reasons for optimism. With three starters and eight letter winners returning, the team brings back a solid base of experience. That, coupled with the addition of seven exciting newcomers, just may be the right prescription the Thundering Herd needs to move to the top of Conference USA.
Along with the player changes for this season, the team will also face the challenge of learning a new system. With the loss of Ishola and her inside presence, the team will now focus on a new style of play. The guards will have more freedom and flexibility to create plays and use full court situations while also creating mismatches on the inside. This new style will have an impact on each player as some will move into new positions and others will be called upon to take on new roles.
Marshall returns over 63% of its scoring from the 2006-07 season. Meg Withrow, who averaged 10 points per game, is expected to have a big year for the Herd. She led the team last year, averaging over 29 minutes per game. This season, Withrow has very good players surrounding her, as well as the strongest point guard depth in her Marshall career. With the up-tempo style, look for 5 to 6 guards to work quality minutes. Meagan Samis and Chantelle Handy, both returning starters, are set to fill the forward position. Both bring much needed experience to the Herd.
Kendra King, who started 25 games last year, has proven to be a pivotal member of the Thundering Herd, filling numerous roles. Her willingness to do anything to help the team is shown in the stats as she was the second-leading rebounder on the team behind Modupe Ishola and was the fifth-leading scorer. Her versatility will be a strong asset to the Herd.
Another solid scorer is Meagan Samis. The senior from Oklahoma City was the third leading scorer last season. Samis, the 2004-05 Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year at UNC Wilmington, has paid her dues, sitting out due to the NCAA transfer rules. Her strength is from the three-point line as her .484 three-point percentage would have led the conference and been near the top in the country with more attempts. Her offensive ability, coupled with the new style of play for the Herd, can mean big things on the offensive end for Samis.
2006-07 Conference USA All-Freshman team member Alyssa Hammond is another who could have a breakout season for Marshall. She is a tough, physical player who can play in numerous spots. Unlike last season, she will not have to create everything, instead relying on others to create shots for her. Hammond provides yet another threat on the perimeter as her three-point percentage last season was .375 (21-56) would have been sixth in C-USA with more attempts.
Chantelle Handy is another who has been making tremendous strides. Handy used her offsesason strength and conditioning program to develop her body to become a more physical player. As Coach Chadwick put it, she is ten times the basketball player from last season, the conference will be surprised by the new Chantelle.
On the defensive end, Melody Hudson has proven to be one of the best on the Herd. With her quick hands and strong anticipation, she is expected to have a big year. Going into the season healthy will also help her out, as well as being in a more up-tempo system.
Alix Barnette and Kari James are the two other returnees for Marshall. Barnette, a sophomore, has seen her maturity level increase from last season. Averaging over ten minutes as a freshman, she will have a more defined role this year, taking advantage of her solid shooting and letting others create for her. Junior Kari James has battled injuries that have sidelined her, but her experience can help her to get healthy again. She is experienced in the paint and around the basket and also has a solid rebounding ability.
NEWCOMERS
Seven newcomers will be on the team this season. Each brings their own unique abilities and strengths, all of which will be expected to play large roles in the future of the program:
Casey Baker - Baker is one of the best basketball players coming into Chadwick's program right off the bat. She already has the skills she needs and has great basketball knowledge. Because of her athleticism, she will fit perfectly into the Marshall system. She is a tenacious defender with the ability to score in abundance and will be a tremendous C-USA player.
Rebecca Bays - Bays is a welcome addition to the team, she has a diligent, hard-working player who has a future in the program as a great teammate.
Tyrikki Crook - Filling the shoes of Modupe Ishola is not an easy job, but Crook is up to the task. The freshman who comes in as the only true center on the team, will be playing right away for the Herd. She has unlimited ability, but will need to adjust to the college game and the physical nature of Conference USA.
Kizzy Hart - Kizzy has paid a lot of dues to bring her game to Marshall. After sitting out last season, Hart comes into this year with the opportunity to shine. As a junior college All-American, her desire to win showed in her game with her 3-point shooting, jump shots and her ability to attack the basket.
Sophie Lenard - The junior comes to Marshall after leading her junior college, Central Arizona, to the National Championship game earlier this year. She has the ability to put a team on her shoulders and carry them. Lenard can play any perimeter position. Her multidimensional game is evident in her ability to score, defend and rebound.
Nicci Miller - A Central Arizona CC teammate of Sophie Lenard, Nicci Miller can shoot the long ball, rebound from the perimeter or post and also brings an important physical presence to Marshall's guard play. She is a strong, physical individual who makes the team tougher.
Tania Walters - Walters is one of the quickest individuals to come into the program. The freshman from Ontario has the ability to run up and down the court and will fit perfectly into an up-tempo style. She needs to adjust to the physical nature of basketball at the college level. Once that happens, she will become a crowd favorite with the things she can do with her speed and quickness.
Molding the eight returning letterwinners with seven newcomers is going to be the top priority for the Thundering Herd. As the team gets experience playing and working together, they expect to be a force to be reckoned with in Conference USA.
SCHEDULE
Simply put, the 2007-08 schedule is one of the toughest in the history of the program. With conference champions, NCAA Tournament participaants and teams who have a full slate of starters returning, this season will show what the Herd is made of.
For the first time in school history, Marshall has been invited to the Preseason Women's NIT. The tournament boasts an impressive field, with nine teams participating in posteason play in 2006-07. Final Four participant LSU leads the list, along with other NCAA Tournament participants Delaware, Delaware State, Maryland, Michigan State, Notre Dame and TCU. Playing in last year's Postseason WNIT field was East Tennessee State and Western Kentucky.
After a match at Morehead State, the Herd will open its home slate with a non-conference game against Niagara. On November 30 and December 1, MU will host its annual Fifth Third MU Classic. This year's tournament field is the most competitive in its history, with opponents Pitt, Harvard and Jackson State. Both Harvard and Pitt were in last year's NCAA Tournament.
Road games at North Texas and Ohio follow the Fifth Third MU Classic before the Herd returns home for a December 16 game against Navy. It also marks the seventh annual Jam The Cam. Another postseason team from 06-07 follows in opponent Texas-Arlington, who won the Southland Conference. A trip to the Marriott Cavalier Classic wraps up the Herd's December schedule. Marshall will face Missouri in the first game on December 28, followed by a match against Delaware State or host Virginia the next day.
Marshall will open its home conference schedule against the defending Conference USA champions, East Carolina. Other home conference games include Tulsa, SMU, UTEP, UCF, Southern Miss, Memphis and UAB. MU's only other non-conference match will be the annual Capital Classic, pitting Marshall against West Virginia in Charleston on January 23. A trip to Houston on March 1 wraps up the Thundering Herd's regular season.
The University of Central Florida will be hosting the 2008 Conference USA tournament. The tournament is set to take place from March 6-9.
