One of the ways coach Robin Pingeton keeps the success of her Illinois State womens basketball team in perspective is by explaining that were not where we were, but were not yet where were going. Still, Pingeton is excited about the fact that her team is one of the most improved in the nation, one of only 10 teams that have won at least three more games so far this season than they won all of last season.
The Redbirds, 10-5 overall, 4-2 in the Missouri Valley, were 7-21 in 2002-03. Illinois State hadnt posted double-digit victories since the 1997-98 team finished 11-17. Through Sundays games, only four of the 320 Division I teams had made more than a three-game improvement on their 2002-03 win total. Illinois State is one of five teams with three more wins than last year.
Pingeton and her staff, all in their first year at Illinois State, have taken a team they inherited and turned it around faster than anyone could have predicted--the Birds have won nine of their last 11 games heading into Saturdays 2:05 p.m. match with Indiana State at Redbird Arena. Coach Jim Wiedies Sycamores know something about improvement--they went from 11-17 in 2001-02 to 22-9, a share of the regular-season Valley title and an NIT bid last year. This year, Indiana State is proving last year was no fluke--the Sycamores are 10-5, 4-2 just like Illinois State.
Pingeton credits her players for Illinois States new-found success.
Its exciting to see (the improvement) for our loyal fans and the community who have supported this program, said Pingeton. But its about the players. They are so hungry to be successful and are so dedicated. They are in the gym putting in extra time all the time.
Still, Pingeton thinks her team has even greater possibilities for improvement.
As coaches, we feel like we still have a long way to go, said Pingeton. Whats great about it is that we feel were all on the right track and that we can get better because people are willing to put in the work.
A North Carolina-Asheville team that won just three games last year already has 12 this season as the most improved team. Hartford has gone from 7 wins to 13. Nebraska (coached by former Creighton mentor Connie Yori) and Towson both have won five more games than in 2002-03.
Besides Illinois State, Southern Utah, Florida, Idaho State and Akron have won three more games than last year. Six teams have won two more than a year ago.Most Improved in the Nation
(teams with 2 or more wins than 2002-03 total)
Team (Conference) 2002-03 2003-04 Diff.
1. UNC-Asheville (Big South) 3 12 +9
2. Hartford (America East) 7 13 +6
3. Nebraska (Big 12) 8 13 +5
Towson (Colonial) 3 8 +5
5. Southern Utah (Mid-Continent) 9 12 +3
Florida (SEC) 9 12 +3
Illinois State (MVC) 7 10 +3
Idaho State (Big Sky) 6 9 +3
Akron (Mid-American) 2 5 +3
10. Kansas State (Big 12) 11 13 +2
Idaho (Big West) 10 12 +2
Maryland (ACC) 10 12 +2
Ark.-Little Rock (Sun Belt) 5 7 +2
Washington State (Pacific 10) 2 4 +2
Iona (Metro Atlantic) 1 3 +2
