Weekly Release #7
12/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Opening Tip
The University of Michigan women's basketball team (5-6, 0-0 Big Ten) returns home for the first time in nearly three weeks when the Wolverines attempt to rebound from three straight road losses with an important contest vs. Xavier this Sunday (Dec. 21, 2 p.m.) at Crisler Arena. Xavier (5-2) is coming off a 2003 NCAA Tournament appearance, its fourth in five seasons, and already owns impressive wins at Louisville and at Kentucky. Michigan, which dropped a 75-64 decision to Xavier in the championship game of last season's Xavier Invitational, beat its only common opponent with the Muskateers, dropping Cincinnati 73-69 (Nov. 17) at Crisler Arena while the Bearcats won at cross-town rival Xavier 52-41 (Nov. 30). Xavier represents Michigan's sixth non-conference opponent that is coming off an NCAA Tournament berth and is the final home non-conference game of the 2003-04 season for the Maize and Blue.
What: Michigan vs. Xavier (Sunday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m.)
Where: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena/13,751)
Radio: WTKA-AM (1050)/MGoBlue.com
Television: UMTV-22/MGoBlue.com
IN THE PAINT
Jennifer Smith has evolved into one of the dominant post players in America during her senior season, averaging 23.8 points, which sets the pace in the Big Ten and checks in at No. 3 in the nation. Shooting .563 (90-160) from the field, Smith is on pace to score 690 points this season, which would break the Wolverine season mark of 581, set by Peg Harte (1982-84) during the 83-84 campaign. The 6-4 center is also fourth in the Big Ten in rebounding (7.8) and has scored 21 or more points in eight of 11 games this season while carrying a streak of 17 straight games with at double digits in the scoring column.
After struggling for three straight games from Nov. 29-Dec. 5, 6-1 junior forward Tabitha Pool has regained the form she used to tally double figures in points in each of Michigan's first six games while collecting a pair of double-doubles. Ranked fifth in the Big Ten in rebounding (7.5), Pool has scored 16 points in each of Michigan's last two games and grabbed a career-best five steals at Seton Hall on Saturday (Dec. 13).
Michigan is happy to be back home at Crisler Arena where the Wolverines have put together a 4-1 mark this season, including wins over 2003 NCAA Tournament teams Cincinnati, Western Michigan and Charlotte. The Maize and Blue is averaging 17.0 more points (72.8-55.8) in home games than on the road and is grabbing 10.3 more rebounds (41.8-31.5) in the front of the home crowd. Michigan's only home loss this season was a 76-74 overtime loss to Alabama on a put-back at the buzzer.
As senior Stephanie Gandy goes, so go the Wolverines early on this season. Gandy is averaging 15.2 points and shooting .475 (29-61) from the field in Michigan's five wins while she has averaged just 8.0 points on .370 (20-54) shooting from the field in the six losses. Gandy has been much more aggressive with the basketball in Michigan's five wins, attempting 21 charity tosses while earning only nine trips to the stripe in the six losses.
Sophomore forward Niki Reams remains one of the Wolverines' most versatile performers, leading Michigan in assists (26) and assist-turnover ratio (+1.2) while placing second in offensive rebounding (24) and third in overall rebounding (5.3). She is ranked No. 13 in the conference on the offensive glass.
The Opponent
Xavier (5-2): The Musketeers return three starters from last season's NCAA Tournament team but lost a great backcourt combination of Reetta Piipari and Amy Waugh to graduation. Waugh and Piipari were two of Xavier's top three scorers last season, averaging 19.0 and 13.4 points, respectively Xavier returns two members of last season's Atlantic 10 all-freshman team in guard Kristy Wallner and forward Tara Boothe, who earned A-10 Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 16.0 points and 8.1 boards The 6-1 Boothe paces Xavier in the scoring column at 19.9 points and 7.9 rebounds Xavier has won three straight after dropping consecutive games vs. Cincinnati (52-41, Nov. 30) and Middle Tennessee (67-65, Dec. 3) Xavier hosts Lipscomb on Thursday before traveling to Ann Arbor Xavier on the Internet: athletics.xu.edu ... Series: tied, 1-1.
Michigan-Xavier Rematch
Michigan's matchup with Xavier affords the Wolverines an opportunity to avenge one of only two non-conference losses last season. The Wolverines brought a 5-0 record into the championship game of the Provident Bank Xavier Invitational last season but could not hold onto a 35-32 halftime lead despite 31 points and 12 rebounds from LeeAnn Bies as the Musketeers earned a 75-64 decision. Playing without leading scorer Jennifer Smith, who sat out her second of five straight games with a knee injury, only Tabitha Pool (11 points) joined Bies with double digits in the scoring column. Xavier drilled 6-12 from behind the arc in the second frame while the Wolverines shot just .385 (25-65) from the field for the game.
Another Tourney Team
Xavier represents Michigan's sixth opponent in its first 12 games that is coming off an NCAA Tournament berth. Xavier received an at-large bid out of the Atlantic 10 a year ago before falling 71-62 in first-round action to UC Santa Barbara. The Wolverines are 3-2 vs. 2003 NCAA Tournament teams thus far.
11/17 vs. Cincinnati (W, 73-69)
11/19 at No. 15 Rutgers (L, 50-65)
11/21 vs. Western Michigan (W, 66-53)
11/28 vs. No. 5 Texas Tech (L, 61-74)
12/3 vs. Charlotte (W, 72-65)
Cincy Matchups - A Closer Look
Michigan and Xavier have one common opponent this season, with the Wolverines beating Cincinnati 73-69 on Nov. 17 at Crisler Arena in maybe Michigan's most complete performance of the season. On the other hand, the Bearcats handed Xavier one of its two losses in a 52-41 decision on Nov. 30 in Xavier's home arena. Stephanie Gandy led a contingent of five Wolverines in double figures with 23 poitns as the Wolverines shot .500 (26-52) from the field in the win over Cincinnati, while Xavier had only one player in double figures and shot just .319 (15-47) from the field for the game. While the Wolverines edged out Cincinnati 33-31 on the glass, the Bearcats dominated the glass (37-26) in the win over Xavier.
Different Records, Similar RPI
Although Michigan enters this week 5-6 overall and Xavier sports a 5-2 mark, the Wolverines are actually ranked one spot above the Musketeers in the most recent WBCA/Summerville RPI. Michigan is ranked 91st in the latest standing with a strength of schedule rank at No. 87 while Xavier checks in at No. 92 with a schedule rated the 199th-most difficult at this point in the season.
Strong Start Key
During Michigan's current three-game losing streak, the Wolverines are being outscored by just two (108-106) in the second half. The problem has been getting out of the gate too slowly, with the Wolverines having been outscored 107-67 in the first frame and taking double-digit deficits into the locker room in all three contests. Michigan has started much quicker at home, outscoring its opponents by 16 (169-153) in the first half of games at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines have also done a better job sharing the basketball at home, racking up 68 assists in five games compared to just 40 in four road games.
Smith Maintains Torrid Start
Jennifer Smith shows no signs of slowing down after scoring 23 points and grabbing a team-best seven boards vs. Seton Hall on Saturday (Dec. 13). At her current pace, not only would 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 690 points this season, which would give her 1,745 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 690-point season from Smith would be the sixth-best single-season output in Big Ten history.
Michigan's 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. | Jennifer Smith (2000-present) | 1,317 |
Big Ten's All-Time Single-Season Scoring Leaders
| 1. | Kelly Mazzante, Penn State (2001-02) | 872 |
| 2. | Anucha Brown, Northwestern (1984-85) | 855 |
| 3. | Kelly Mazzante, Penn State (2002-03) | 837 |
| 4. | Laura Coenen, Minnesota (1984-85) | 708 |
| 5. | Stephanie White-McCarty, Purdue (1998-99) | 707 |
| 6. | Jennifer Smith (2003-04) | 690* |
* projected over 29-game regular season
Michigan Drops Third Straight
Another slow start doomed the Wolverines as they shot just .278 (5-18) in the first half and fell behind Seton Hall 30-14 at the break before eventually succumbing 63-52. Held scoreless in the first half on just three field goal attempts, Jennifer Smith keyed a Michigan charge that cut the deficit to just two (39-37) in the second half, but that as close as the Wolverines would get. Seton Hall won the contest on the glass, outrebounding the Wolverines 42-22 overall and 19-5 on the offensive glass. Smith finished with 23 points while Tabitha Pool added 16.
PLAYER NOTES
-- After playing just four total minutes in Michigan's first six games, sophomore guard Lauren Andrews has received significant action in the last five contests, averaging 18.8 minutes in those games, including a season-high 24 minutes vs. Seton Hall.
-- Along with Jennifer Smith and Tabitha Pool, Sierra Hauser-Price is the only Wolverine to start all 11 games this season.
-- After grabbing at least one offensive boards in eight straight games, Niki Reams has been held off the offensive glass for two straight contests.
-- Despite playing just the sixth-most minutes on the team, freshman Kelly Helvey remains the team leader with 15 steals.
-- Stephanie Gandy handed out a season-best five assists vs. Seton Hall.
-- Mie Burlin has yet to attempt a conventional two-point field goal this season. The sophomore is 5-16 from behind the arc.
-- Jennifer Smith's 96 trips to the free throw line this season have already surpassed her total (94) last season in 24 games played.
RECORD/MILESTONE WATCH
-- Sierra Hauser-Price's next start will be the 20th of her career.
-- Tabitha Pool needs five made free throws to each 100 for her career.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Preseason WNIT
Michigan opened the Cheryl Burnett era 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 Quickly
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 then 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.
Busy Month
Michigan's 68-51 win over Texas-Arlington on 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.
Smith Owns Charlotte
Jennifer Smith bettered her career-best 32-point performance vs. Western Michigan with a 37-point effort in Michigan's 72-65 win over Charlotte on Dec. 3. Smith's effort matched the second-best single-game performance in school history, which Diane Dietz (1978-82) accomplished on Jan. 31, 1980, vs. Grand Valley State. Dietz owns the Wolverine single-game record with 45 points on Feb. 27, 1982, vs. Illinois. Smith collected 12 rebounds in the win for the second of three double-doubles this season.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
