Post by rainman on Dec 22, 2007 8:11:06 GMT -5
Mountaineers seek eighth win in a row against IU
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— The 13th-ranked West Virginia University women’s basketball team shoots for an eighth consecutive victory on Saturday afternoon at Indiana University.
“This certainly will be one of our toughest games so far,” coach Mike Carey said before taking his squad to Bloomington, Ind.
“They are very physical not only in the post area but also in the guard area. Outside of Tennessee, this is the toughest team we’ve played.”
West Virginia made its record 10-1 last Monday night with a 84-65 victory at Oakland University in Michigan.
“I think we played extremely well in that game,” Carey said. “The first 10 minutes were as good as we’ve played all year.
“Hopefully, we can carry that over to this game.”
But he has been concerned in the week’s preparations. “I told them to quit worrying about Santa Claus and what they’re getting for Christmas until after we play Indiana,” he said.
“It’s my job to make sure that they will be focused.”
Olayink Sanni, 6-2 senior center, said on Thursday, “We got that message (Wednesday) — loud and clear. So we’d better be focused.
“As Coach Carey says, the Hoosiers are pretty physical. We will be, too.”
Sanni is averaging 17.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Meg Bulger is next at 14.2 and 2.9, followed by LaQuita Owens at 13.0 and 4.3..
Chakhia Cole is scoring at a 10.5 clip and averaging 5.3 rebounds. Point guard Ashley Powell has a team-high 55 assists.
Cole said, “We need this one so bad. Indiana has two big girls that are very good. It’s going to be a very tough game.”
Jamil Braun, 5-8 guard, is the Hoosiers’ top scorer at 13.4 ppg. Whitney Thomas has a team-best rebounding average of 9.3 to go with a 12.3 scoring gait.
Amber Jackson (11.7, 6.5) and Kim Roberson (10.4, 2.8) are other Indiana standouts.
The Hoosiers have a 6-5 record. After starting 4-0, they lost four in a row before beating Bowling Green 75-67 at home and winning by 66-59 at Cincinnati.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— The 13th-ranked West Virginia University women’s basketball team shoots for an eighth consecutive victory on Saturday afternoon at Indiana University.
“This certainly will be one of our toughest games so far,” coach Mike Carey said before taking his squad to Bloomington, Ind.
“They are very physical not only in the post area but also in the guard area. Outside of Tennessee, this is the toughest team we’ve played.”
West Virginia made its record 10-1 last Monday night with a 84-65 victory at Oakland University in Michigan.
“I think we played extremely well in that game,” Carey said. “The first 10 minutes were as good as we’ve played all year.
“Hopefully, we can carry that over to this game.”
But he has been concerned in the week’s preparations. “I told them to quit worrying about Santa Claus and what they’re getting for Christmas until after we play Indiana,” he said.
“It’s my job to make sure that they will be focused.”
Olayink Sanni, 6-2 senior center, said on Thursday, “We got that message (Wednesday) — loud and clear. So we’d better be focused.
“As Coach Carey says, the Hoosiers are pretty physical. We will be, too.”
Sanni is averaging 17.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Meg Bulger is next at 14.2 and 2.9, followed by LaQuita Owens at 13.0 and 4.3..
Chakhia Cole is scoring at a 10.5 clip and averaging 5.3 rebounds. Point guard Ashley Powell has a team-high 55 assists.
Cole said, “We need this one so bad. Indiana has two big girls that are very good. It’s going to be a very tough game.”
Jamil Braun, 5-8 guard, is the Hoosiers’ top scorer at 13.4 ppg. Whitney Thomas has a team-best rebounding average of 9.3 to go with a 12.3 scoring gait.
Amber Jackson (11.7, 6.5) and Kim Roberson (10.4, 2.8) are other Indiana standouts.
The Hoosiers have a 6-5 record. After starting 4-0, they lost four in a row before beating Bowling Green 75-67 at home and winning by 66-59 at Cincinnati.
