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The women’s basketball team jumped out to a 17-0 lead about eight minutes into the first period of an exhibition game last Sunday afternoon against Regis University.
If one thing is clear, the Pioneers can play defense. They ended surrendering a total of 21 points as they trounced Regis 77-21.
“We are going to be aggressive and have great defense instead of just focusing on offense,” said senior guard Britteni Rice, who finished with a team-high 17 points.
Last season the Pioneers finished No. 3 in the nation in field goal percentage, shooting an average of 48.2 percent against their opponents.
Offensively, the Pioneers will be fine as they return four of their top five scorers, all of whom started more than 30 games and averaged 31 minutes or more.
In their final game last season, a 55-48 loss to New Orleans in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, the Pioneers finished with only seven players, which was the main reason behind the excessive playing time for starters
However, head coach Erik Johnson is optimistic that this won’t happen this year.
“We have six freshmen coming in for us, which means we will actually have a bench” said Johnson.
Johnson looks forward to having more than two players on his bench, which says will enable him to strategize differently.
One of the challenges of having a larger team, though, is having all the players to work together.
According to Johnson, he would prefer that issue rather than facing the situation he had last season.
Conference breakdown
The team has been practicing since early October and hopes to avenge its early exit from the SBC tournament last spring.
After finishing 18-13, Denver has been slotted to finish second in the SBC West Division, behind Arkansas-Little Rock.
“I think were picked right where we deserve to be and right now Little Rock deserves to be No. 1,” said Johnson. “In conference, we are looking up to Little Rock, Middle [Tennessee] and Western Kentucky.”
Before they can look ahead to conference play, DU faces a grueling out of conference, including games against the SEC’s Georgia and Vanderbilt, as well as Pac 10.
With the help of a new strength coach, the team has worked hard to be in great physical condition for the entire season.
However, having depth should help any inury concerns.
Returning stars
This season, Johnson says the team plans on improving turnover margains, and focusing on defense.
This should be easy considering Kaetlyn Murdoch, a first-team All-SBC member, returns after averaging 15.8 points and three blocks per game.
“How do you raise the expectation for Katelyn? Every time you set the bar for her, she raises it,” Johnson said.
Johnson said some of Murdoch’s personal goals throughout the season would be more deflections and a consistent defender.
“I think we are going to do really well this season. We have a deep bench, a high number of freshmen with a lot of talent, and a defense that will be able to guard the post,” said Murdoch.
In addition to Murdoch, the Pioneers bring back sophomore guard Emiko Smith, who averaged five assists a game last year.
Seniors like Rice and Brianna Culberson also return after combining for an average of 28 points last year.
“By using our talent and taking all the potential on the team we will be able to make great things happen this year,” said Smith.
DU begins its regular season when the team travels to play Wyoming on Friday night at 7 p.m.
