Deja vu 1997-98? -- Xavier Women's Basketball Message Board

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Date Posted: 04:10:03 12/28/01 Fri
Author: X-band '01
Author Host/IP: 134.cleveland-01rh15rt-oh.dial-access.att.net / 12.87.144.134
Subject: Deja vu 1997-98?

As bad as the record looks right now, it's not much different than that of the 1997-98 team. For those who have followed the program for a while, how many of you can remember the starting line of Kremer, Hughes, Stromberg, Hamberg, and Tuukkanen? This was a starting 5 that had little experience coming into that season, and has an eerie parallel to that of this year's starting 5.

The difference between then and now is, back then, Xavier had some players to call off the bench, Nicole was a backup guard for half of the year, Jen Phillips was slowly getting into the mold after open-heart surgery, and Kim Hotz provided minutes at just about any position between the point and the post.

This year? The starting 5 is starting to mold together (Waugh, Piipari, Bell, Henderson, and Kreager). Amy has the heart of a lion, despite what a certain poster asserts below. Reetta and Kate are two other core players that are putting up consistent numbers, for the most part. Shavon is slowly becoming an offensive weapon, and Alexis is making a campaign for A-10 Frosh of the Year.

But, where do you go from there? Outside of sharpshooter Ashleigh Cuncic, nobody else has stepped forward off the bench to take the burden off the starting 5. Even last year's big 3 had its share of a supporting cast and role players who knew what to do in a key situation. Foul trouble has been a consistent problem in the frontcourt, and without subs to be competitive, teams have punished Xavier down low.

Look at the turnovers as well - you simply can't turn the ball over 20 times a game and expect to win. Bad passing, offensive fouls, you name it - are all mental mistakes that need to be corrected down the road.

But here's the silver lining - the league as a whole is down this year. Only St. Joe's has looked solid - GW is struggling, and no other team has really shown that they're ready for postseason. The A-10 is looking at a single bid in March, and if the Muskies can overcome their rugged schedule and crank out wins in the A-10, the season will not be lost.

Phase 2 of the season is coming around, but damage control should soon be on the way.

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