WATCH OUT FOR THE WAC
With four of the top 10 scorers returning from the 2007-08 season, the Western Athletic Conference is set for another exciting women’s basketball season. Tasha Harris of Boise State (16.5), Dellena Criner of Nevada (16.1) and Natalie White of San Jose State (16.0) return as the top three scorers from a season ago.
The WAC has several key non-conference matchups this season. WAC teams will play at least 22 games against teams that advanced to either the NCAA Tournament or the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) last season. WAC teams will face three of the four teams that advanced to last year’s Final Four. Fresno State travels to Stanford, while Louisiana Tech will take on both LSU and Tennessee on the road.
Boise State Broncos (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
Boise
State returns the bulk of last year’s championship roster with two
starters and seven letterwinners. The Broncos have added five redshirts
and two freshmen this year, and look to challenge for a third-straight
WAC title. Leading the way is senior Tasha Harris, who was named to the
2007 all-WAC team after leading the conference in scoring (529) and
points per game (16.5). Senior Jessica Thompson, who registered 430
points (13.4 ppg) to rank eighth in the WAC last year, will miss the
entire season with an injury. BSU currently holds the sixth-longest
home win streak in the nation at 17 consecutive victories. The Broncos
also have 14 straight WAC wins. Boise State has advanced to two
consecutive national postseason tournaments.
Fresno State Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
Fresno
State earned its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament last season
after winning the WAC Tournament championship for the first time in
team history. The Bulldogs also won the program’s first-ever WAC
regular-season championship last year. Returning WAC Tournament MVP
Jaleesa Ross has hit a three-point field goal in 23 straight games, and
her 89 three-pointers last year tied the Fresno State single-season
record. The Bulldogs connected on a school-record 262 three-pointers
last season. Nineteen of Fresno State’s 22 wins in 2007-08 were by 10
points or more.
Hawai?i Rainbow Wahine (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
Seven
letterwinners and two starters return for the Rainbow Wahine this
season. Among the returnees is junior Megan Tinnin, who is the team’s
top returning scorer, averaging 8.9 points per game. UH adds five
recruits to this year’s squad and two players who sat out last year are
also eligible this year. Hawai?i led the WAC in two statistical
categories last season ? three-point field goal percentage (.352) and
blocked shots (130). Hawai?i sports an incredibly diverse roster with
players from six different states and five foreign countries.
Idaho Vandals (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
First-year
head coach Jon Newlee joins the Vandals after leading Idaho State to
the postseason four times over the past five seasons. He has been to
the postseason in 13 of his last 16 seasons as a Division I basketball
coach. The Vandals feature the WAC’s top returning rebounder in Yinka
Olorunnife. As a freshman last season, Olorunnife grabbed 7.6 boards
per game and led all freshmen with 219 rebounds. She ranked fourth
overall in the conference in rebounds and was named to the WAC
all-Freshman team. Idaho has a streak of 12 consecutive seasons with an
all-conference performer. Idaho won the 1986 WNIT championship, but has
not qualified for any postseason tournaments since.
Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
Louisiana
Tech returns three starters in guards Tiawana Pringle (6.1 ppg, 2.8
rpg), Tarkeisha Wysinger (9.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Shanavia Dowdell (12.3
ppg, 7.5 rpg). Louisiana Tech also welcomes back sophomore guard
Whitney Jones (10.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg), who missed the final 24 games last
season. The Lady Techsters also signed three of the top high school
guards in the state of Alabama in Jasmine Bendolph, DeAngela Sword and
Kiara Young. Louisiana Tech’s non-conference schedule features contests
against defending national champion Tennessee, LSU, Arizona,
Mississippi State and Virginia.
Nevada Wolf Pack (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
Jane
Albright takes over the helm of the Wolf Pack after spending the past
five seasons at Wichita State. Dellena Criner returns to the team after
becoming the eighth player in Nevada history to score 1,000 points. She
currently ranks fifth all-time at Nevada with 1,159 career points.
Nevada recorded 18 wins during the 2007-08 season, the second-most
overall wins in program history, and the most since the 1999-2000
season. Nevada ended the 2007-08 season leading the WAC in steals with
383. The Pack also finished sixth in the nation in steals, averaging
12.8 per game. Nevada was ranked in the top-10 in the nation all season
in steals. The team won 10 straight home games and ended its home
season with a 12-3 record. The Wolf Pack never dropped below .500 last
season.
New Mexico State Aggies (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
NMSU
was 23-9 last season. The 23 wins tied for the third most in school
history. The Aggies tied for the fifth-best turnaround in the nation
last year with a 9.5 game improvement. Senior Tyshae Walton and
sophomore Madison Spence are the two returning starters, but senior
center Niki Holt also started in seven games in 2007-08. Spence had the
second-most assists (105) and second-most three-pointers made (40) by a
freshman in program history last year. New Mexico State finished 16th
in the nation last year in field goal percent defense (.360) and led
the WAC in three-point field goal percent defense (.266) and scoring
defense (62.3).
San Jose Spartans (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
Head
coach Pam DeCosta returns for her second season at the helm of the
Spartan program, and returns three letterwinners from last season’s
team that finished 3-28. Natalie White leads the way after leading the
Spartans in scoring last year with 448 points (16.0 per game). She also
led the team in three-point field goals made (55) and three-point field
goals attempted (170). Sayja Sumler returns for her second season after
playing in all 31 games, starting 25, last season. She averaged 6.3
points and 3.9 rebounds per game. The Spartans welcome 11 newcomers to
the team ? six freshmen and five junior college transfers.
Utah State Aggies (0-0, 0-0 WAC)
USU
is entering its sixth year of women’s basketball since reinstating the
program for the 2003-04 season. Senior guard Danyelle Snelgro is the
Aggies’ leading returner. In the USU career record books, she is
currently fourth in steals (143), fourth in three-pointers made (55),
fifth in assists (211), sixth in three-point percentage (.296) and
seventh in free throw percentage (.678). Last season, six Aggies
averaged at least 15 minutes per game.
BOISE STATE FAVORED IN PRESEASON POLLS
Boise State, the 2007-08 WAC regular season co-champion and tournament title winner, was selected as the favorite by both the coaches and the media in the WAC preseason polls. The Broncos received five of the nine first-place votes in the coaches poll and 15 of the 22 top votes in the media poll.
2008-09 Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1 |
Boise State (5) |
61 |
| 2 |
Fresno State (3) |
58 |
| 3 |
Louisiana Tech |
46 |
| 4 |
Nevada |
41 |
| 5 |
New Mexico State |
39 |
| 6 |
Utah State (1) |
25 |
| 7 |
Hawai?i |
24 |
| 8 |
San Jose State |
19 |
| 9 |
Idaho |
11 |
2008-09 Preseason Media Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1 |
Boise State (15) |
189 |
| 2 |
Fresno State (5) |
179 |
| 3 |
Louisiana Tech (1) |
139 |
| 4 |
Nevada |
134 |
| 5 |
New Mexico State (1) |
122 |
| 6 |
Hawai?i |
83 |
| 7 |
Utah State |
66 |
| 8 |
Idaho |
40 |
| 9 |
San Jose State |
38 |
PRESEASON ALL-WAC TEAMS ANNOUNCED
Along with the preseason polls, the coaches and media also voted on preseason all-WAC teams. The coaches Nevada senior guard Dellena Criner as the WAC’s preseason Player of the Year, while the media tabbed Boise State senior guard Tasha Harris as the league’s top player.
In the coaches poll, Criner and Harris were joined on the first team by Louisiana Tech junior forward Shanavia Dowdell, and Fresno State sophomores Hayley Munro and Jaleesa Ross. Second-team selections include Brandi Fitzgerald (Nevada), Danyelle Snelgro (Utah State), Madison Spence (New Mexico State), Natalie White (San Jose State) and Tarkeisha Wysinger (Louisiana Tech).
The media’s all-WAC team included Criner, Dowdell, Harris, Ross and Spence.
Preseason Coaches All-WAC Teams
First Team
Dellena Criner, Sr., G, NEV
Shanavia Dowdell, Jr., F, LTU
Tasha Harris, Sr., G, BSU
Hayley Munro, So., F, FS
Jaleesa Ross, So., G, FS
Second Team
Brandi Fitzgerald, Sr., G, NEV
Danyelle Snelgro, Sr., G, USU
Madison Spence, So., G, NMSU
Natalie White, Sr., G, SJSU
Tarkeisha Wysinger, So., G, LTU
Preseason Media All-WAC Team
Dellena Criner, G, Sr., Nevada
Shanavia Dowdell, F, Jr., Louisiana Tech
Tasha Harris, G, Sr., Boise State
Jaleesa Ross, G, So., Fresno State
Madison Spence, G, So., New Mexico State
NEVADA TO HOST 2009 WAC TOURNAMENT
Reno and the University of Nevada will host the 2009 WAC Tournament, March 10-14. It will be the third time that Nevada has hosted the event. Nevada also hosted the tournament in 2005 and 2006. The tournament features all nine men’s and women’s teams.
RETURNING STAT LEADERS
Four of the top 10 scorers return for the 2008-09 season, including the top three scorers ? Tasha Harris of Boise State (16.5), Dellena Criner of Nevada (16.1) and Natalie White of San Jose State (16.0). Also returning is Fresno State’s Jaleesa Ross, who was 10th in scoring (12.8).
Four of the top 10 rebound leaders return. Idaho’s Yinka Olorunnife returns this season after ranking fourth with 7.6 rebounds per game last year. Louisiana Tech’s Shanavia Dowdell ranked fifth last year at 7.5 per game. Fresno State’s Hayley Munro was ninth (6.2) and San Jose State’s White was 10th (5.8).
LETTERWINNER/STARTER CAPSULE
Idaho and Nevada return the most starters as each welcome back four. Boise State, Fresno State and Louisiana Tech each return three starters. Hawai?i, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and Utah State each return two starters.
| Team |
LR |
LL |
SR |
SL |
| Boise State |
7 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Fresno State |
9 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Hawai?i |
7 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
| Idaho |
4 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
| Louisiana Tech |
10 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Nevada |
10 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
| New Mexico State |
7 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
| San Jose State |
3 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
| Utah State |
9 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
KEY NON-CONFERENCE MATCHUPS
The WAC has several key non-conference matchups this season. WAC teams will play at least 22 games against teams that advanced either to the NCAA Tournament or the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) last season. WAC teams will face three of the four teams that advanced to last year’s Final Four. Fresno State travels to Stanford, while Louisiana Tech will take on both LSU and Tennessee on the road.
Games vs. 2007-08 Postseason Teams:
Idaho at Texas Tech, Nov. 14
Nevada at California, Nov. 16
Montana at Idaho, Nov. 18
New Mexico State at UTEP, Nov. 20
UC Santa Barbara at Fresno State, Nov. 20
Idaho State at Utah State, Nov. 22
Louisiana Tech at Tennessee, Nov. 23
Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech, Nov. 30
TCU at Fresno State, Dec. 4
New Mexico State at New Mexico, Dec. 4
Nevada at UC Santa Barbara, Dec. 5
Boise State at Montana, Dec. 7
UTEP at New Mexico State, Dec. 7
Idaho State at Boise State, Dec. 10
California at San Jose State, Dec. 12
Fresno State at Stanford, Dec. 13
Louisiana Tech at LSU, Dec. 15
West Virginia at Fresno State, Dec. 20
New Mexico at New Mexico State, Dec. 20
Nevada at Montana, Dec. 30
Colorado at Hawai?i, Jan. 4
New Mexico State at Kansas, Jan. 4
TOP PLAYERS RETURNING
A total of three players from both the all-WAC first and second teams will return. Two players will return from the first team ? Nevada’s Dellena Criner and Boise State’s Tasha Harris. Returning from the second team is Newcomer of the Year Jaleesa Ross from Fresno State. Three members of the all-defensive team return in Nevada’s Criner and Cherlanda Franklin and Boise State’s Harris. All five of last year’s All-Freshman Team ? Ross, Madison Spence of New Mexico State, Tarkeisha Wysinger of Louisiana Tech, Hayley Munro of Fresno State and Yinka Olorunnife of Idaho ? return for their sophomore campaigns.
2008 WAC TOURNAMENT RECAP
Fresno State won its first conference tournament title in history with a 72-56 win over New Mexico State in the championship game of the WAC Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M. The win came after the Bulldogs started the season 2-8. The Bulldogs tied a WAC Tournament record for most three-pointers made in a tournament with 27. The record is also held by TCU in 2001.
2008 WAC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Tasha Harris, Boise State
Anikia Jawara, New Mexico State
Emma Andrews, Fresno State
Tierre Wilson, Fresno State
Jaleesa Ross, Fresno State (MVP)
FIRST-EVER PLAY UP TOUR FINDS SUCCESS
The WAC launched its first-ever Play Up Tour for women’s basketball last season. At each stop, fans joined the WAC before the game to pick up free WAC beanies and t-shirts. Fans also registered to win a trip to the 2008 WAC Basketball Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M. The average WAC home attendance for the 2007-08 season was 10,362. At WAC Play Up Tour stops last season, WAC home attendance was a combined 15,690. The Play Up Tour heightens awareness of the WAC brand as well as reinforces the association between the schools and the WAC.
BOISE STATE HOLDS NATION’S SIXTH-LONGEST HOME WIN STREAK
Boise State went a perfect 14-0 at home last season and has won 17 straight at Taco Bell Arena dating back to the 2006-07 season. The streak of 17 home wins is tied for the sixth-longest home win streak in the nation.