2004 Record 15-19, .441 (6th in East) Points Scored 2198 (9th overall, 5th in East) Points Allowed 2245 (6th overall, 2nd in East) Scoring Differential -1.4 (10th overall, 4th in East) Award Winners & Honorees Olympians Tamika Catchings All-Star Natalie Williams All-WNBA Tamika Catchings, Second Team Most Improved Kelly Miller 2004 Draft Recap Rd. 1 - 9, Ebony Hoffman Rd. 3 - 31, Ieva Kublina Playoff History One out of five years Last Appearance 2002, lost in First Round

Tamika Catchings had another MVP-caliber season and did just about everything for the Fever. Literally. Catchings led the Fever in just about every statistical category once again, but despite her superstar production, she could not single-handedly will Indiana into the postseason. In her first season with the team, Kelly Miller tallied career highs in points, rebounds and assists, but when push came to shove, it was still Catchings who took the big shots.

Catchings

The post play was really the Fever's strength in 2004. In addition to Catchings, center Natalie Williams had another fine season in the middle, being named to the WNBA All-Star team once again. Also, four-year veteran Kelly Schumacher contributed the finest season of her career. Schumacher started the team's last seven games, averaging 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks during September.

The Fever dropped their last four games of the season to fall out of the playoff race. Had they won two or three of those games, they would not be picking second this April. Coach Brian Winters will likely be stressing the importance of team defense in '05 as Indiana surrendered nearly 80 ppg in those final four losses, well above their season average. A shortage of dependable bench play meant that the starters were logging more minutes and committing defensive lapses. In addition to a lack of bench depth, the Fever lacked a reliable point guard to get the ball inside and create opportunities for the All-Stars in the post.

Hoping to find the floor leader they have sought to create easier opportunities for Catchings and get other players more involved, the Fever signed veteran Tully Bevilaqua from Seattle this offseason. She should help in defending the opposition's perimeter as well as provide needed stability to the Indiana backcourt.

Head Coach Brian Winters 2004 Starting Lineup G- Kelly Miller G- Deanna Jackson F- Tamika Catchings F- Kelly Schumacher C- Natalie Williams Key 2004 Reserves Ebony Hoffman Stephanie White Kristen Rasmussen Key Additions Tully Bevilaqua Katrina Hibbert Key Losses

Hoffman

After backing up Sue Bird in Seattle, will Tully Bevilaqua come through as a starter? Can last season's rookie, Ebony Hoffman, who played well in limited minutes last season, average more than the 2.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game she did in her first season? Will another reliable post player that can provide points in the paint emerge? Will someone challege Deanna Jackson for the starting role or provide solid minutes off the bench?