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Seimone Augustus Louisiana State University Photos |
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Shyra Ely University of Tennessee Photos |
Question: Is there a team that has not demonstrated their true talent yet?
PC: It is really hard to say because the season is still very young. Players and teams are still getting to know one another and key players are coming back from injury.
JH: Most teams have only played a handful of games, and the early season schedules are not as challenging as the January and February matchups. I think that we may begin to see the cream-of-the-crop play in January.
Q: Which early matchup were you most impressed with?
PC: There have been several games I watched with interest. The Duke-Texas game was a great matchup as well as the Kansas State-Penn State and Texas-Penn State games. Also don’t forget the overtime Tennessee-Stanford contest – that was a good one to watch.
JH: The Stanford vs. Tennessee overtime game was amazing. The Lady Vols went on the road and picked up a big win.
Q: What's the next big matchup of the New Year?
PC: I would have to say that the next big game is when Duke travels to Connecticut to take on the Huskies at Hartford Civic Center on January 3rd. It will be a really exciting game to start the New Year.
JH: Duke at Connecticut is the biggest game to start to year. But also before the New Year there is Stanford at Texas Tech (12/21/03), Tennessee at Oklahoma (12/21/03) and Old Dominion at Rutgers (12/28/03).
Q: Prior to the season, the two of you combined on the following list of underclassmen to watch for. Which one of these players has really gone beyond your expectations?
Underclassmen to Watch
Seimone Augustus, Sophomore, LSU
Jacqueline Batteast, Junior, Notre Dame
Shyra Ely, Junior, Tennessee
Janel McCarville, Junior, Minnesota
Loree Moore, Junior, Tennessee
Cappie Pondexter, Junior, Rutgers
Heather Schreiber, Junior, Texas
Kim Smith, Sophomore, Utah
Kendra Wecker, Junior, Kansas State
PC: Shyra Ely (Tennessee) is off to a terrific start this year along with Cappie Pondexter (Rutgers), who continues to play well day in and day out.
JH: Each of those underclassmen are having very good seasons with all of them ranking first or second in scoring and/or rebounding on their team. But the most impressive to me is Seimone Augustus (LSU).
PREDICTION TIME
Most Underrated Team:
PC:: Oklahoma
JH: Old Dominion
Most Underrated Player:
PC: Giuliana Mendiola (Univ. of Washington)
JH: Stefanie Collins (St.Bonaventure)
Breakout Team:
PC: Auburn
JH: Idaho State
Breakout Player:
PC: Chani Jones (Houston)
JH: Jennifer Smith (Michigan)
All-Around Best Conference (top to bottom):
PC: SEC
JH: BIG 12
Biggest Surprise (Team):
PC: UCLA
JH: Baylor
Biggest Surprise (Player):
PC: Chani Jones (Houston)
JH: Barbara Turner (Connecticut)
