Thankfully for Catchings, she should not have to shoulder the same burden this time around.

With the No. 2 selection in the WNBA Draft, the Fever acquired dynamic 5-7 combo guard Tan White, the NCAA scoring leader at Mississippi State as a senior.

White

"I think if there's an impact player it might be Tan White," ESPN analyst Ann Meyers said when asked for her Rookie of the Year prediction. "She has the ability to take over a game and get her shots off even at 5-7. She also has great range, gets her shots off, puts ball on the floor and can pull up from anywhere."

"Tan is a highly talented scoring player – a slasher and scorer,” added Fever head coach Brian Winters. “She’s very clever around the basket, uses both hands, and has better passing than you think.”

With White and Feb. 23 free agent acquisition of Tully Bevilaqua now on board, Indiana’s once-inconsistent backcourt has undergone a complete facelift. Last season, Indiana lacked a driving, penetrating point guard who could split a zone defense or force a defense to commit.

In Bevilaqua, the Fever are getting a savvy playmaker who was instrumental in leading the Seattle Storm to the 2004 WNBA Championship. Last season her 4.3 steals per 40 minutes paced the WNBA.

"One of my goals this offseason was to sign a veteran point guard who brought energy, leadership and toughness to our team," said Fever General Manager Kelly Krauskopf. "Not only is Tully a six-year veteran of the league, she also brings an understanding of competing at the highest level after playing an integral role in last season’s WNBA Championship.”

2005 NCAA assists leader Yolanda Paige, a second-round selection from West Virginia, will spell minutes in relief of Bevilaqua.

Now that Indiana has a pair of true point guards, natural shooting guards Kelly Miller, the WNBA's career three-point percentage leader, and Coretta Brown can return to their natural positions without having to double as playmakers.

Streimikyte

With a formidable frontcourt returning that includes Catchings, Kelly Schumacher and Natalie Williams – plus returning European star Jurgita Streimikyte, the Fever's roster looks to be complete on paper.

The challenge, now that there is “new blood and old blood,” Catchings said, is to combine the two and become tougher. “Day in and day out we need to get tougher. Mentally and physically, we need to push each other and stand up for ourselves and our team.”

“The backcourt and the frontcourt, the starters and the bench – we all need to feed off each other to make this Indiana Fever team successful,” Catchings said. “And success lies at the WNBA Finals.”

“I expect to make it to the playoffs,” she said. “No ifs, ands, buts or doubts about it. I think we’re good enough and I think that when we open on May 22 we will have put together one of the best teams in the league.”