Women's Basketball Preview Part 8: UW-Milwaukee
Nov. 18, 2004
For the past four years, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball program revolved around the inside play of two-time Horizon League Player of the Year Maria Viall, and did so with reason. Viall, who was also an All-America finalist, left UWM as the school's all-time leader in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, field goals made, free throws made, and field goal percentage. During the past four seasons UWM won 67 games, the most during any four-year stretch in the Division I history of the program.
However, with Viall now playing professionally in Hungary, the look of Milwaukee women's basketball will undergo a major facelift. And for those who think the program will take a step back now that the program's most decorated player is gone, they may be sadly mistaken. With the dominating, low-post presence gone the 2004-05 UWM team will feature a group of athletic and versatile players and a roster that should provide head coach Sandy Botham with quantities of depth, options, and variety.
"Having Maria here for four years was one of the best things for this program," Botham said. "However, we are moving on and I am really excited about what this team brings. Will we have to do some things differently? Sure. But that doesn't mean we still can't continue to win a lot of games."
Despite the loss of Viall, UWM does return four starters, twelve letterwinners and over 75% of the offense from last season's 17-12 squad that finished second in the Horizon League. While neither player boasts the "true" low-post presence as Viall did, seniors Kimberly Becker and Teri Huff still provide a solid interior duo on which to build.
Becker, a two-year starter, averaged 6.3 points per game last year while grabbing 5.0 boards per game. An athletic and quick 6-2, Becker should fit-in well with UWM's planned uptempo, full-court attack. Meanwhile, the rugged and athletic Huff is back for her final season after contributing nicely off the bench the previous three seasons. The Milwaukee-native averaged 3.6 points and 2.7 boards per contest a year ago but is poised for a break-out campaign.
In addition to Becker and Huff, sophomore Dana Schultz and walk-on Elisha Hudson should provide help off the bench. Schultz, an aggressive and quick 6-0 center, appeared in 15 games a year ago and looks to improve her numbers in 2004-05. Meanwhile Hudson, a strong and physical 5-11 post player, has been impressive in early season workouts.
"Both Kimberly and Teri are very athletic and quick for post players," Botham said. "They have three years of experience, and, as captains, can really help set an example early on. They both can play inside-out and we can really get up and down the court with them on the floor."
While the two seniors will provide experience and depth down low, the most explosive duo could easily be 5-10 juniors Nichole Drummond and Molly O'Brien. Drummond, a slashing wing player, continues to improve each season and finished second on the squad in scoring as a sophomore, averaging 9.5 ppg and 10.0 ppg in Horizon League contests. The Kenosha-native's ability to penetrate, beat defenders off the dribble, hit from mid-range and finish with both hands makes her one of the toughest players to guard in the Horizon League.
O'Brien made arguably the biggest leap of any Panther last season as she burst onto the league scene as one of the most versatile and creative players around. The unselfish O'Brien led the team in assists (69) and steals (43) last season while finishing second on the squad in rebounding with 5.3 boards per game. The Columbus-native has remarkable instincts and can fill up a stat sheet in a variety of ways.
"Nichole and Molly just keep on improving each season and the sky really is the limit for both of them," noted Botham. "Nichole is one of the toughest players to guard in the league and I really see her becoming a big scorer this year. Then you have Molly who is so incredibly unselfish and such a leader. She does so many things that its impossible to discount her influence on a game."
In addition to the two juniors, forward Megan Rogers is back for her second season after providing some clutch play as a freshman. The 5-11 Rogers is a skilled player with the ability to knock down the three, post up, and hit the open player. Rogers played in 19 games last season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 boards per game, but came off the bench to score eight points in a huge road win at Detroit.
For any team looking to control tempo, change the pace of the game, and play a full-court style, quality guard play is a must. Fortunately for Botham and her staff, the Panthers boast an incredible amount of depth at both guard spots in 2004-05.
Junior Anne Witte and sophomore Kiley Johnson combined for a dangerous one-two punch last season and both will battle for playing time this season. Witte, who split time at both guard positions her first two years on campus, should benefit from the chance to play the off-guard spot exclusively. The 5-9 Witte led the team and finished fourth in the Horizon League with 39.7% marksmanship from three-point land, a number that increased to 42.6% in league-only games. Witte drilled 31 three-balls on the season to go with 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest.
The athletic Johnson emerged as a major offensive weapon her rookie season and finished the year averaging 6.9 points per game while hitting a team-best 44 trifectas. A natural scorer, Johnson is also a solid defensive presence who can help created offense on both ends of the court.
"With Anne and Kiley we have two players who can really shoot the ball and that's a huge asset to have," Botham said. "Anne has some experience at point guard and Kiley is very athletic. Both of them should compete for time and will allow us to be a full-court, uptempo team."
The point guard spot, which has been a problem for a variety of reasons the last two seasons, has the potential to be one of the biggest strenghts in 2004-05. Sophomore Aubrey Hampton, who started 12 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury, is fully recovered and ready to go, as is junior college transfer Amanda Cook and senior holdover Kerri St. Aubin. With all three options at the point, Botham can continue to push pace offensively and wreak havoc defensivelly, all while mixing and matching lineups.
"I really like having the point guard options we have this year," Botham said. "Aubrey is fully healed from her knee injury and has really looked to become a better shooter. She may see some time at off-guard because Amanda is just your prototypical point guard. I would not hesitate to play both of them at the same time."
Hampton, who came to campus a year ago as a highly touted prospect, did not disappoint in the early going before tearing her right ACL. The sophomore started 12 of 14 games in the early part of the season and averaged 6.9 points and 3.5 assists per game overall but 10.0 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per contest in four Horizon League games. Furthermore, the quick, slashing point guard connected on 83.3% of her free throw tries while making more than three charity tosses per game.
Cook, a Second-Team Junior College All-America last season at Carl Sandburg College, averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 assists and 3.5 steals per game last year while earning league player of the year accolades. A true point guard in every definition, Cook has already been named a team captain due to her extreme work ethic and impressive leadership qualities.
In addition, the gritty and quick St. Aubin will join the squad for her third season after completing her final season as the starting goalkeeper on UWM's three-time defending league champion soccer team. St. Aubin started nine games last season as the starting point guard and finished the year averaging 1.0 points and 1.5 assists per contest.
Rounding out the 2004-05 UWM squad will be sophomore shooting guard Beth Reckelberg and sophomore center Nicole Almberg along with freshmen walk-ons Emily Huss, Coleen Moody and Meghan Klein. Meredith Onson, a Boston University transfer and the 2003 Associated Press Miss Wisconsin Basketball, must sit out the season due to NCAA Transfer rules, as will fellow sophomore and Lakeland transfer, Aubri Rote.
UWM will face a challenging schedule which includes four 2003-04 NCAA Tournament teams, three Big Ten Conference foes, and a tough 16-game Horizon League schedule. Milwaukee will open up the 2004-05 season at crosstown rival Marquette on Nov. 19.
