2008 Woodie Awards
Women's basketball set to open season with exhibition game
Kylie Swyden
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Sports
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The Bulldogs' opened practice just three weeks ago and it's already paying dividends.
Samford was announced as the No. 2 seed in their conference at the OVC Media Days on Oct. 10.
Energy is also escalating from the addition of the Corts Arena inside the new Pete Hanna Center, which is where both the men's and women's basketball teams will play this season for the first time.
Being a No. 2 seed relieves some of the pressure the team felt as the No. 1 seed last season.
"It's a lot better this year because we're not out to prove that we deserve the first seed," senior guard Taryn Towns said.
Coach Morris said that his team plans to build on its experience this season. The Bulldogs are returning three starting seniors, including Towns, Alex Munday and MaKenzie Spruiell.
"This team has a lot of experience coming back," he said.
Morris said that the team's senior class along with a touted freshmen class is building plenty of enthusiasm.
That list of newcomers includes freshman forward Savannah Hill, who coaches said can score from the inside and outside and freshman guard Alex Crow, who is described as a pure shooter.
The team also signed a true point guard in Emily London, a freshman from Lexington, Kent. London was named MVP of the Kentucky State Championships in high school.
"I am very excited about this particular team and the team makeup we have this year," Morris said.
Players said that as far as team unity is concerned, it could not be any higher.
"We have great team chemistry right now, and we are just ready to play, especially with the excitement of the new arena," Megan Wilderotter said.
Wilderotter also said that the team as a whole is new and improved.
"The team is a lot different this year. We are quicker and more athletic," she said.
Wilderotter also stressed the impact the freshmen players have already made early in the season.
"We have a lot of great freshmen this year who are great players and know how to play our game," Wilderotter said.
After spending the last several weeks in intense practices, players said they are ready to start playing teams other than themselves.
"The team as a whole has a ton of versatility and depth, with a very competitive nature in practice, sometimes a little too competitive," Morris said.
When asked how he felt about being picked No. 2, Morris was in agreement that Southeast Missouri is the best team in the conference and thinks they definitely earn the No. 1 spot.
Morris made it clear that the Bulldogs are not as big this year as they have been in recent seasons, and their biggest weakness will be defending in the paint.
He said he hopes the team will make that up with strong play around the perimeter.
At this point, Morris has not named the team's starting line-up, and there is plenty of competition for playing time.
Morris said he automatically expects a lot from the seniors, since they had three or four years to adjust to the program.
The Bulldogs will scrimmage an unnamed team at home this Friday and will play their first exhibition game on Nov. 5 against Montevallo in Seibert Hall.
"We are excited to play someone besides ourselves and see our weaknesses and where we need to improve," Morris said.