Alana Beard Duke Photos

Diana Taurasi UConn Photos

With the 2003 NCAA Women's Basketball season just around the corner, Liberty assistant coaches Pat Coyle and Jeff House sat down with nyliberty.com to break down the upcoming season. The two squared off on the nation's top player, the toughest conference in the country and much more. Here's what they had to say…

Who are the top players to watch for this season?
PC: The top players to watch this year are Diana Taurasi (Connecticut), Alana Beard (Duke), Vanessa Hayden (Florida), Nicole Powell (Stanford) and Iciss Tillis (Duke).
JH: The talent in the NCAA right now is potentially the highest it has been since the WNBA began in 1997. The players are becoming stronger, faster and more talented with every draft. I agree with the aforementioned players but I would also add Kelly Mazzante (Penn State), Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota), and Shereka Wright (Purdue).

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

What are the top matchups in the first month of the season?
PC: There are some great matchups in the first month of the season, but I think that these are the games to watch for Texas at Penn State (12/7), Tennessee at Stanford (12/14), North Carolina State at UConn (12/29) and Duke at UConn (1/3).
JH: Each season there are really good pre-season tournaments. The Pre-season WNIT, State Farm Classic and Jimmy V Classic all have strong fields, but a few games that really stick out are Duke vs. Texas (11/16), Duke vs. Purdue (11/23) and Notre Dame at Tennessee (11/30).

Which conference will be the most dominant this year?
PC: I think that the Southeastern Conference will continue to be one of the most dominating conferences in the country with teams like Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia and LSU. The Big 10 will also be strong again.
JH: It appears that the Big 12, Big East and ACC will be at the top. Texas and Kansas State play each other in the Big 12, which could be a Final Four match up.

Which players will make an impact in the 2003 WNBA Draft?
PC: Taurasi and Beard can come into the WNBA and have an immediate impact. But the quality of the players in the 2004 draft will make it one of the best yet.
JH: I also think that Taurasi and Beard will have a impact right away with whatever team they end up with. The rest of the first round should be able to make teams, but the strength of the league and the veteran players in the league are now at a level where it is more and more difficult to make teams and make an immediate impact.

PREDICTION TIME

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
PC: Diana Taurasi, Connecticut
JH: Alana Beard, Duke

COACH OF THE YEAR:
PC: Jody Conradt, Texas
JH: Gail Goestenkors, Duke

FINAL FOUR TEAMS:
PC: UConn, Duke, Texas and Stanford
JH: UConn, Duke, Texas and Stanford

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHUP:
PC: UConn and take your pick
JH: Duke vs. Texas

NATIONAL CHAMPION:
PC: UConn
JH: Duke

If you could predict the top five athletes in next year's WNBA draft, how would it go?
1. Diana Taurasi, Connecticut
2. Alana Beard, Duke
3. Vanessa Hayden, Florida
4. Temeka Johnson, LSU
5. Nicole Powell, Stanford