Between The Lines
12/3/2010 1:41:43 PM | Women's Basketball
Welcome to my column, your one stop shop for ponderings on men's lacrosse, women's basketball and whatever else may catch my eye around campus or on the road. Any questions, comments or concerns, fire up Twitter and deliver them to @BrianHigginsSU.
Trivia Question: We'll always start with some trivia, but no scrolling down for the answer, it will come in due time. This week's question: When's the last time the Orange Women lost a non-conference regular season game in the contiguous 48 states?(don't mind all the qualifiers…it makes the answer more topical)
This week: The focus is heavily on women's basketball. The squad is now a comfortable 5-0, with the last four wins coming by an average of 40 points a game. So, it's easy for those not actually on the team, aka: you and me, to look ahead to #6 Ohio State's visit to the Carrier Dome next Saturday. The team, on the other hand, has those pesky games against Delaware State Saturday and Albany Monday to worry about first.
“Obviously we know they're coming, for us that is a program game, it's not just one game. I think that game can define our program if we go out play hard and win that basketball game.” said head coach Quentin Hillsman, who in perpetuity for the future of this column shall be known as Coach Q or just Q. “If we don't take care of these games then it won't be a program game, it will be just another game, because we've already lost.”
'Nuf said. We'll let the team focus on staying unbeaten in the lead up to its first ranked non-conference matchup of the year. Until then, I'll keep an eye on the Buckeyes(6-0) and their star senior Jantel Lavender. A full preview comes next week as the Orange look to settle the score from a competitive loss in Columbus two years ago. Of course, Ohio State is far from the toughest foe remaining on the Cuse schedule, but the Orange will deal with #2 Baylor and #1 UConn in due time.
Higgo's Hero: We've now reached the part of the column where I tab my hero for the week. A quick googling of “Nyquil Inventor” didn't provide me with who really deserves praise this week, so we'll settle for someone who now only delivers career highs. Kayla Alexander dropped a career best 24 points in Monday's drubbing of New Hampshire, then followed with 27 more Wednesday night against Maryland Eastern Shore(9-9 FG, 9-10 FT).
“It's nice to see progress after coming here, staying the whole summer working out, having those early mornings, that wasn't always the greatest.” said our hero. “So far it's paying off and I hope it continues to pay off.” Her head coach concurs, “I think that our team has so much confidence in her that she has no choice but to make plays. They're throwing her the ball expecting her to score, so the more we throw it to her the better she'll score.”
I know one thing. I would not want to be any of Delaware State's centers Saturday afternoon. Kayla Alexander: this week's hero, next week's Big East Player of the Week?
Tales from the Road: Depending on travel schedules and locales, this may not apply every week, but I will pass along one recommendation picked up in Atlantic City while covering the Legends Classic in Matt Park's stead. If you like any music whatsoever that has come out in the last 30 years and 3AM (formerly Full Effect) is performing, stay for the show. Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, late 90s pop/rock, and anything and everything in between was all fair game. Well played gentlemen, nicely sandwiched between the Michigan and Georgia Tech wins.
Trivia Answer: November 19, 2008. A 78-71 loss at Ohio State. The game featured a thrilling late Orange comeback and a frighteningly violent Nicole Michael concussion that seemingly altered the course of the season. More on that one when we preview take two next week.
Upcoming Schedule: Saturday vs. Delaware State at noon and Monday vs. Albany at 7:00. The Orange welcome back former assistant and current Great Danes lead assistant Mary Grimes then. Orange Pregame for both games starts 15 minutes prior on ESPN 97.7 and right here on Orange All Access.
Questions: Tweet your 140 characters my way @BrianHigginsSU. Answers could come straight back on twitter, in an upcoming broadcast or in next week's column, so keep your eyes and ears open.
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