|
Conference-leading TCU set to
host last-place Golden Hurricane By Kelly Morris Even though the Western Athletic Conference-leading TCU women’s basketball team will host Tulsa today, the conference’s worst team, head women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie said the team can’t think of the game as an easy victory. “Since the conference runs very deep this year, and there is no clear favorite, we have to approach our game against Tulsa no differently than any other game,” Mittie said. “Anybody can beat any other team on any given night. While Tulsa hasn’t been able to gel this season, they’re very talented and dangerous.” With Friday’s 58-35 win against Rice, TCU extended its winning streak to six games and remained undefeated in WAC play at 5-0. Junior forward Kati Safaritova led the Frogs in scoring with 14 points. TCU led Rice 32-18 at the end of the first half. The 18 points were the second-fewest scored against TCU in the first half this season. TCU currently has a 13-4 record and an 8-3 record at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Tulsa is coming off a 69-46 win Sunday against Texas-El Paso. Before Sunday’s victory, Tulsa was on a six-game losing streak. The Golden Hurricane is still searching for its first road win in conference play and is 4-11 overall.Last season, the Frogs managed just one win in three games against Tulsa. They suffered a 68-55 loss Jan. 8, 2000 and were ousted from the WAC tournament by Tulsa in a 64-56 loss March 8. Mittie said the Frogs must limit Tulsa’s easy looks at the basket and stop the team’s quickness to be successful. “Even though Tulsa’s post players are under-sized, they are physical and very quick,” Mittie said. “They also have good, quick guards who pass the ball very well. In practice, we’re trying to get better spacing, better attack off the dribble and better, tighter man-to-man pressures.” The Frogs have reached 13 wins only five times in their history, and junior guard Tricia Payne said the team’s talent and attitude have contributed to the fast start. “Our depth is very huge,” Payne said. “Most teams don’t have our depth. Any five (players on the court) are the same as the first five. Our unselfish attitude and our ability to play well together have also contributed to our start. We’re having a lot of fun, and it’s exciting to practice and be here every day.” Mittie said the team is looking to bigger and better things ahead. “It’s very, very early in conference play,” Mittie said. “While everyone is having fun and is excited, the team’s first place standing in the WAC hasn’t been a diversion. More importantly, we’re working on building the foundation so that we’re a tough team and have the ability to face adversity well. “If those things continue every day, and
if our preparation is good and our focus is good, the games take
care of themselves.” Mittie said the team will have more incentive to begin its break with a win instead of a loss. “The Tulsa game is not only crucial because it’s our next game,” Mittie said. “It’s more important because if we win (tonight), it will make our nine-day layoff more enjoyable and make our practice much better. A loss will only make practice more difficult, and after a loss, a player usually wants to redeem (herself) as soon as (she) can. “If they win, I might even let them enjoy the victory for 24 hours instead of just a few hours.” Kelly Morris |