Preseason Favorite

[thebluehatman]

South Dakota State is the preseason favorite to win the 2008-09 Summit League Women’s Basketball Championship according to a poll of the league’s head coaches, sports information directors and selected media members.
The Jackrabbits collected 23 of the 30 first place votes and totaled 428 points. Oakland and Oral Roberts had three first place votes each, with the Golden Grizzlies edging out the Golden Eagles for second place with 371 points compared to 358 points. IUPUI came in fourth with 313 points, while Western Illinois collected 241 points for fifth place. The remaining first place vote went to North Dakota State in sixth place with 226 points. IPFW (177 points), UMKC (140 points), Southern Utah (103 points) and Centenary (93 points) rounded out the voting.
Also on the first team is South Dakota State’s Jennifer Warkenthien, who led the Jackrabbits in scoring last season with a 13.9 average and was named to the all-league first team last season. Warkenthien helped lead the Jacks to a 23-7 record and first-place league mark of 16-2, en route to a berth into the WNIT.

Rank
School (first-place votes)
Points
1. South Dakota State (23) 428
2. Oakland (3) 371
3. Oral Roberts (3) 358
4. IUPUI 313
5. Western Illinois 241
6. North Dakota State (1) 226
7. IPFW 177
8. UMKC 140
9. Southern Utah 103
10. Centenary 93

[jackmd]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Thats a pretty convincing favorite. 23 out of 30 first place votes. Last year we had a bit of the "element of surprise" in our favor. Won't be the case this year. I think our women are ready to live up to the expectations.

[propar80]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Honestly, who gave NDSU a 1st place vote??

Go Jacks!!

[thebluehatman]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Honestly, who gave NDSU a 1st place vote??

Go Jacks!!

Prob. AJ, I believe the coaches can't vote their own team as #1.

[propar80]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Prob. AJ, I believe the coaches can't vote their own team as #1.

Never thought about that...you maybe right!

Go Jacks!!

[UTH]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Ah, yes... The Preseason First Place Curse.






*this time - better you than me

[JamesJacks]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Personally I think SDSU is going to win the conference regular season and conference tournament championships. The one team that I think can be a team who could also contend is Oakland. They return 10 of their top 11 scorers from last season and they have the preseason conference player of the year choice in Pike. Just a two team race this year is what I see.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Preseason Favorite

I think after a brief settling-in period at the beginning of the year, as AJ figures out his new, 12- or 13-player rotation, we'll really hammer people in league play. Of course Summit coaches last year said "nobody does that," referring to the idea that SDSU might play 10 players. I wonder what they'll think now that we have even more depth to drop on them. Are you listening, IUPUI coach? I'm talking to you.

[NorCalJack]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Here is the story from the Brookings Register. There a few quotes from AJ about the team goals and staying focused throughout the year.

Go State!!!

[thebluehatman]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Here is the story from the Brookings Register. There a few quotes from AJ about the team goals and staying focused throughout the year.

Go State!!!

That staff reporter is a pretty good reporter

[NorCalJack]

Re: Preseason Favorite

Here is another story about the postseason possibilities from KELO. They also have a video with the story.

Go State!!!
Go Jacks!!!

[da_coach]

Re: Preseason Favorite

How quickly things change.

What were we picked last year? 5th? 7th?

I guess winning your league going away will do that. We only lost Verdegan and Grims.... I'm surprised we didn't get more than 23 out of 30.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Preseason Favorite

I think this team is going to be a much tougher test for opponents than the squad last year.
We become deeper, more athletic, and a better shooting team with the additions for this year.

Verdegan was a great floor general and defender but got lost a lot on the offensive side too many times and needed to be more aggressive. If Macie can keep under control she will no doubt create a lot of chances for herself and others. She is a fearless competitor!

This is going to be a fun season and what a great time to do it with being NCAA eligible and hosting the conference tournament in Sioux Falls. The other coaches in the league know exactly what is coming at them. They just don't know how to stop us!

GB, GB, GJ!

SUPERBUNNY

[tattoo]

Re: Preseason Favorite

this team will not lose more than 3 games all year and will not lose a conference game if we are healthy. We hare bringing Rotert, Young, Johnson, Oistad off the bench along with others. This is the best team SDSU has had EVER on paper and it will translate to the floor!

I bet the women didn't run sets either, or did they?????

[UWMandSDSU]

Re: Preseason Favorite

this team will not lose more than 3 games all year and will not lose a conference game if we are healthy. We hare bringing Rotert, Young, Johnson, Oistad off the bench along with others. This is the best team SDSU has had EVER on paper and it will translate to the floor!

I bet the women didn't run sets either, or did they?????

The team is so deep in talent; After watching the 1st exhibition game, they could easily play between 11-13 players.