Weekly Release #5
12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Opening Tip
After a whirlwind first two weeks of the season for the University of Michigan women's basketball team -- first seven games in a span of just 15 days -- things slow down but only a little bit as the Wolverines prepare for a challenging three-game slate that begins at home against Charlotte on Wednesday (Dec. 3, 7 p.m.) at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines close the week with a weekend trip to the nation's heartland, where they will play Drake on Friday (Dec. 5, 7 p.m. CST) in Des Moines, Iowa, before facing Creighton on Sunday (Dec. 7, 3 p.m. CST) in Omaha, Neb. Charlotte is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance a year ago while Creighton advanced to the WNIT Final Four and Drake reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament just two years ago. When the week is finished Michigan will have played its first 10 games of the season in just 23 days.
What: Michigan vs. Charlotte
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3 (7 p.m.) in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena/13,751)
Radio: WHNE AM-1290/MGoBlue.com
Television: UMTV 22 (Ann Arbor-Comcast)/MGoBlue.com
What: Michigan at Drake
When: Friday, Dec. 5 (7 p.m. CST) in Des Moines, Iowa (Knapp Center/7,002)
Radio: MGoBlue.com will provide a link
Television: none
What: Michigan vs. Creighton
When: Sunday, Dec. 7 (3:05 p.m. CST) in Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Civic Auditorium/9,377)
Radio: MGoBlue.com will provide a link
Television: none
IN THE PAINT
Jennifer Smith opened the season with a 24-point effort in a win over Miami (Ohio) to earn Big Ten Player of the Week honors and has not slowed down. The 6-4 senior center led the Wolverines in scoring in six of the first seven games and is averaging 28.3 points over her last four, which included a game-best 30-point effort against fifth-ranked Texas Tech. Smith is on pace to score 679 points this season, which would shatter the previous Michigan single-season mark of 581, set by Diane Dietz in 1982-83.
Junior forward Tabitha Pool continues to combine with Smith to give Michigan one of the best inside duos in the country. Pool has led the Wolverines in rebounding in six of seven games and has at least eight boards in the same number of games. She notched her team-best second double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 boards vs. No. 5 Texas Tech. In addition to leading the Wolverines in rebounding (8.6), Pool sets the Wolverine pace with 19 assists (2.7).
Sophomore forward Niki Reams replaced Stephanie Gandy in the starting lineup for Michigan's two games at the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic on Nov. 28-29 and responded with two of her best games of the season. Reams averaged 8.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting a perfect 6-6 from the stripe in those two games. Reams is the Wolverine leader with 20 offensive rebounds.
Michigan's games at Missouri Valley Conference schools Drake and Creighton this weekend will be familiar territory for new Michigan coach Cheryl Burnett. Before arriving in Ann Arbor, Burnett coached 15 seasons at MVC member Southwest Missouri State, where she compiled all-time marks of 23-14 vs. Drake and 17-7 vs. Creighton.
Despite its 13-point loss to fifth-ranked Texas Tech, the Wolverines played one of their best games of the young season. Led by Jennifer Smith's 30 points, Michigan shot .519 in the first half and trailed by just five points with less than five minutes remaining. Texas Tech's previous two victories had been against No. 18 UC Santa Barbara and No. 15 Rutgers by an average of 27.5 points (70.5-43).
One of the keys to running coach Cheryl Burnett's system on the offensive and defensive ends falls on the shoulders of the point guard, and junior Sierra Hauser-Price has responded with solid play through seven games. After totaling just 18 assists all of last season, Hauser-Price is third on the Wolverines this season with 15 and is tied for second with nine steals.
The Opponents
Charlotte (3-2): The 49ers are coming off a 75-61 loss at Old Dominion on Sunday and are 0-2 on the road this season ... Sakellie Daniels leads the Charlotte offense, averaging 15.2 points ... Charlotte's opponents are shooting .460 (125-272) from the field while the 49ers are shooting .397 (129-325) ... Charlotte has attempted twice as many triples as its opponents (120-60) and is shooting .317 (38-120) from behind the arc ... Charlotte on the Internet: www.charlotte49ers.com ... Series: first meeting.
Drake (1-2): The Bulldogs earned a 54-46 win at Dayton on Saturday (Nov. 29) for their first win of the season after two losses ... Drake is 0-1 this season against the Big Ten, dropping a 73-50 decision at home vs. No. 9 Minnesota on Nov. 25 ... Seven Bulldogs average at least 4.3 points led by Jill Martin, who averages 12.3 ... Drake has hoisted up 41 triples in three games, knocking down nine at a rate of .220 ... Drake on the Internet: www.drakebulldogs.org ... Series: first meeting.
Creighton (2-2): The Blue Jays defeated Stephen F. Austin 91-64 last time out on Sunday (Nov. 30) ... Creighton boasts four players averaging in double figures, led by Dayna Finch (17.7), who is shooting .484 (15-31) from behind the arc ... as a team, Creighton has attempted 104 trifectas this season, hitting 32 at a rate of .308 while its opponents have attempted just 37 ... Creighton is 0-1 vs. the Big Ten this season, suffering a 59-41 season-opening loss at Northwestern (Nov. 21) ... before facing Michigan in their home opener, Creighton plays its second Big Ten foe this season, going to Minnesota on Thursday (Dec. 4) ... Creighton on the Internet: www.gocreighton.com ... Series: U-M leads, 1-0.
Key Stretch for the Maize and Blue
This week could prove critical if the Wolverines are looking for an NCAA Tournament bid in March because Michigan is facing three teams that harbor annual NCAA Tournament expectations. Charlotte is coming off a 21-8 campaign a year ago that included the Conference USA regular-season title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Drake has made it to six of the last nine Big Dances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 just two seasons ago, while Creighton is the two-time defending Missouri Valley Conference regular-season champion and reached the semifinals of the WNIT last season after playing in the NCAA Tournament the year prior. Although these teams do not reside in one of the power conferences any wins this week will go a long way in helping Michigan's RPI later in the season.
Michigan vs. NCAA Tournament Teams
Charlotte will provide the Wolverines with their fourth game vs. a 2003 NCAA Tournament in their first eight games this season. Michigan is 2-2 vs. those teams after falling 75-61 to No. 5 Texas Tech on Friday (Nov. 28) at the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic. The following is a game-by-game rundown of Michigan vs. 2003 NCAA Tournament teams.
11/17 vs. Cincinnati (W, 73-69)
11/19 at No. 15 Rutgers (L, 50-65)
11/21 vs. Western Michigan (W, 66-53)
11/29 vs. No. 5 Texas Tech (L, 61-75)
Michigan vs. Conference USA
Michigan's matchup vs. Charlotte is its second this season vs. a 2003 NCAA Tournament team from Conference USA. Michigan earned a hard-fought 73-69 win over Cincinnati on Nov. 17 at Crisler Arena in the second round of the Preseason WNIT. Senior Stephanie Gandy showed the way in the win over Cincinnati with 23 points. The Wolverines were 1-0 a year ago vs. Conference USA, beating Saint Louis 61-56 on Dec. 7, 2002.
Michigan-Creighton Rematch
The Wolverines matchup with Creighton is a rematch of last season's opener for both squads when the Maize and Blue pulled out a 75-66 victory. The Wolverines were led by 21 points from Jennifer Smith and 13 from Stephanie Gandy as Michigan jumped out to a 39-26 halftime lead and hung on for the win. The Wolverines outscored the Blue Jays 24-9 at the stripe.
Smith's Sensational Start
At her current pace, not only would Jennifer Smith break the school's single-season scoring total, she would move all the way to second place on the Wolverine scoring list. Smith is on pace to score 679 points this season, which would give her 1,734 for her career and move her into second place on the all-time list behind Diane Dietz (1978-82), who totaled 2,066 points for her career. A 679-point season from Smith would tie for the eighth-best single-season output in Big Ten history.
Michigan's Top 10 Career Scoring Leaders
| 1. | Diane Dietz (1978-82) | 2,066 |
| 2. | Trish Andrew (1989-93) | 1,647 |
| 3. | Wendy Bradetich (1982-86) | 1,587 |
| 4. | Stacey Thomas (1996-2000) | 1,556 |
| 5. | Abby Currier (1977-81) | 1,550 |
| 6. | Alayne Ingram (1998-2002) | 1,461 |
| 7. | LeeAnn Bies (1999-2003) | 1,450 |
| 8. | Lorea Feldman (1984-87) | 1,260 |
| 9. | Pollyanna Johns (1994-98) | 1,251 |
| 10. | Jennifer Smith (2000-present) | 1,219 |
Busy Month
Michigan's 68-51 win over Texas-Arlington on Saturday (Nov. 29) concluded the busiest November in school history. The Wolverines went 4-3 in November, including a run to the semifinals of the Preseason WNIT, after having never before played more than five games in the season's opening month.
Tough at Crisler
Only four home games into the Cheryl Burnett era and the Wolverines are beginning to enjoy a distinct advantage of playing in front of the home crowd at Crisler Arena. Although the Wolverines are shooting the exact same percentage from the field (.434) at home as they are away from Crisler Arena, they are averaging 13.3 (73.0-59.7) more points in the four home contests. Michigan is averaging a little more than one steal per game more at home (8.5-7.3) and is grabbing 41.5 boards at home compared to just 33.0 away. The primary difference is the Wolverines' aggressiveness on the offensive end where they have been rewarded with 100 trips to the charity stripe in four home games as opposed to just 50 in the other three contests.
Young Team Getting Better
While the Wolverines only managed a 1-2 mark last week, it was not indicative of their play. Thanks to a 27-point effort from Jennifer Smith, the Wolverines led Alabama for much of the game before committing several key turnovers late in a 76-74 overtime loss on Monday (Nov. 24). Michigan bounced back with one of its best performances of the season at the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic on Nov. 28-29 in Dallas, Texas. The only problem was the Wolverines' effort in the first game came against fifth-ranked Texas Tech, which had beaten its first four opponents by at least 20 points. Behind 30 points from Smith and a 16-point, 11-rebound game from Tabitha Pool, the Wolverines pushed the Lady Raiders and trailed by just five with under five remaining before falling 74-61 on Friday (Nov. 28). The Wolverines came right back 24 hours later and avoided an 0-3 week by jumping out to a 42-23 halftime lead before cruising to a 68-51 win over Texas-Arlington. Smith again led with 24 points while Niki Reams chipped in a season-best 15.
PLAYER NOTES
-- Freshman Kelly Helvey played only 12 minutes against Texas-Arlington due to foul trouble, but she still recorded team bests of four assists and three steals. Helvey is one of only two Wolverines with more assists (13) than turnovers (12).
-- Niki Reams is the Wolverines' leading offensive rebounder (20) while ranking No. 2 in assists with 17. Her +1.4 assist-turnover ratio is a team best. Reams has three games scoring in double figures after a season-best 15-point effort vs. Texas-Arlington. Her three games in double figures is the third-best total on the team behind Tabitha Pool and Jennifer Smith.
-- Sophomore Mie Burlin is 4-13 from the field this season, with all 13 attempts and four makes coming from behind the arc. Burlin is averaging 10.5 minutes, and her four trifectas are tied for second on the team behind Tabitha Pool's five.
-- Jennifer Smith grabbed a pair of steals in the win over Texas-Arlington to up her season total to a team-best 12.
RECORD/MILESTONE WATCH
-- Jennifer Smith has 1,219 career points and needs 33 more to move into ninth place on the all-time list and surpass Pollyanna Johns' (1994-98) career mark of 1,251 points. Smith, who has 296 career charity tosses made, needs just two more to move past Johns and into third place on the all-time list and only four more to become only the third Wolverine with 300 career free throws made. Finally, Smith's 585 career rebounds are only two shy of matching Wendy Bradetich (1982-86) for ninth place on the Wolverine list.
-- Stephanie Gandy is 11 points shy of becoming just the 19th player in school history to reach the 900 career-point plateau.
-- Tabitha Pool made her 50th career start in the win over Texas-Arlington.
-- Niki Reams' next assist will be the 75th of the sophomore's career.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Preseason WNIT
Michigan opened the Cheryl Burnett season with a bang, defeating Miami (Ohio) 79-68 on Nov. 15 and then earning a 73-69 victory over Cincinnati on Nov. 17 to advance to the Preseason WNIT semifinals in the Wolverines' initial tournament appearance. Michigan's bid for a title game appearance was thwarted by a 65-50 loss at then-No. 15 Rutgers on Nov. 21 in the semifinals. Stephanie Gandy led the way during Michigan's three-game run, averaging 18.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Jennifer Smith totaled 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Wolverines.
Out of the Gate Quick
Stephanie Gandy opened the season with back-to-back 23-point efforts in Preseason WNIT wins over Miami (Ohio) and Cincinnati. Gandy's consecutive outings of 20-plus points were the first of her career and helped land her on the Preseason WNIT All-Tournament team.
Smith Garners Weekly Honor
Jennifer Smith earned the first Big Ten Player of the Week honor for the 2003-04 season and the first of her career on Nov. 17 after compiling 24 points and eight rebounds while notching a career-best with 10 makes at the charity stripe. Smith also chipped in with a career-best four steals as Michigan opened up the Cheryl Burnett era with a 79-68 win over Miami (Ohio) in the Preseason WNIT first round.
Smith Puts on a Show
Jennifer Smith's career-high 32 points in the win over Western Michigan made her the first Wolverine to score more than 30 points in a game since LeeAnn Bies tallied 31 in a 75-64 loss at Xavier on Dec. 8, 2002.
Smith All-Tournament
Jennifer Smith netted her second career game of 30 or more points with a 30-point performance against then-No. 5 Texas Tech at the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic on Nov. 28 in Dallas, Texas. She followed that up one night later with a 24-point effort in a win over Texas-Arlington to garner all-tournament recognition.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
