Educational experience is not just about classwork. Illinois State women's basketball coach Jenny Yopp hopes her team has several learning experiences in this weekend's Pacific Bell Classic at San Diego.
"It's great to experience traveling to a different part of the country," said Yopp, whose 1-1 Redbirds take on the host school, San Diego State at 9:30 p.m. central time Friday. "Only two of our players have been to that part of the country (Southern California). We're excited about going there."
With the youngest team in the Missouri Valley Conference, Yopp is looking for more on-court learning experiences as well.
"We learned a lot from the two games we've played already," said Yopp, whose Redbirds are fresh from a 67-64 win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday. "We're going to be challenged because San Diego State has great athletes and they will pressure us. We need to continue to improve our ability to take care of the basketball consistently."
The Aztecs have lost road games at Montana and Loyola Marymount, each by 10 points. Yopp says San Diego State is similar to her team.
"They will extend the defense 94 feet," said Yopp. "They are talented and aggressive, and they depend on balance offensively."
Sophomore Jamey Cox leads SDSU with 12.5 points per game, but is one of four Aztecs averaging in double figures scoring. Gonzaga and Tennessee-Chattanooga play the other semi-final before the 'Birds and Aztecs, with the consolation and championship games on Saturday.
"I'm familiar with Gonzaga from my previous coaching experience," said Yopp, who was head coach at Portland State before coming to Normal in 1999. "They are in a similar situation to us, trying to improve after a tough year. Tennessee-Chattanooga has a good program. I think it's a balanced tournament and anybody can win."
In the Redbirds' first two games, redshirt freshman Sharon Blade, the team's top scorer and rebounder, has appeared to be a player who can help ISU win. At Northern Illinois, Blade's 22 points were the most in Redbird history by a freshman playing in her first game. Yopp believes the 6-foot-2 center from Peoria is the 'real thing.'
"Sharon, if she stays healthy, has a chance to have a great career here," said Yopp. "She gives us a center who can do it at both ends of the court and that gives our team an opportunity for success."
Yopp admits that Blade still is subject to the roller-coaster ride most freshman experience.
"Sometimes, she 'll do something great in practice and (the coaches) will look at each other and say 'hey, she's just a freshman,'" said Yopp. "Then, they'll be times she'll struggle and we'll look at each other and say 'hey, she's just a freshman.' It works both ways."
When the 'Birds return from San Diego, they play Wednesday at Western Illinois and the following Saturday at Louisville.
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