Nov. 12, 2008
`BIRDS BACK IN THE PRESEASON WNIT
For the third time in program history, Illinois State will participate in the Preseason WNIT (Nov. 14-23). The Redbirds are part of the 16-team field for the first time since the 1996-97 season. ISU is 0-2 all-time in the Preseason WNIT, losing to Iowa, 75-57, in 1996 and Notre Dame, 92-73, in 2004. Notre Dame was ranked 10th in the country at the time. ISU has played 20 games in the Postseason WNIT, including an appearance in 2007.
SCOUTING THE PRESEASON WNIT FIELD
The Redbirds are 5-10 all-time against the teams in the WNIT. Of the 16 teams in the tournament field, 12 reached the postseason least year, including eight that were in the NCAA Tournament. Along with Illinois State, five other teams are ranked in the preseason polls: Oklahoma (4/7), North Carolina (6/4), Arizona State (17/18), Xavier (22/ARV), Liberty (ARV/ARV). Oklahoma's Courtney Paris, who ISU faced in the NCAA Tournament last season, was a unanimous Associated Press Preseason All-American, just the sixth ever selected in 15 years of the team. Arizona State's Briann January and North Carolina's Rashanda McCants also received votes for the AP Preseason All-American team. Oklahoma, North Carolina and Arizona State may be the most recognizable names in the field, but are far from the only quality teams. Xavier is the two-time defending Atlantic 10 Tournament champion and UC-Riverside is the two-time defending Big West Conference champion.
SCOUTING TULANE
The Green Wave returns nine letterwinners, including three starters, from last season's 16-14 squad. Tulane posted a 6-10 record to finish in a tie for ninth place in Conference USA last year and lost in the first round of the conference tournament. Senior guard Ashley Langford led the Green Wave in scoring last year with 11.9 points per game and was a Third-Team All-Conference USA selection. She became Tulane's all-time leader in assists and enters the season ranked fourth in Conference USA history (538). Head coach Lisa Stockton enters her 15th season with the Green Wave as the winningest coach in Conference USA history with a 282-141 record.
`BIRDS LOOK STRONG IN PRESEASON ACTION
Illinois State won both of its exhibition games in preparation for the 2008-09 season, beating Odyssey, 81-72, and Northwest Missouri State, 88-56. The Rebirds produced a 20.5 scoring margin and averaged 49 rebounds per game. Sophomore Shala Jackson had the most impressive showing, averaging 15.5 ppg and 10.0 rpg over the two contests. Fellow starters senior Kristi Cirone (12.5 ppg), junior Maggie Krick (12.5) and junior Ashleen Bracey (11.0) also averaged in double-figures in preseason action. Cirone also had 18 assists over the two games, including 13 against Northwest Missouri State.
AN EARLY START TO A LONG YEAR
Nov. 14 is the third-earliest start to a season in Illinois State women's basketball history. The Redbirds opened play on Nov. 11 last year and on Nov. 12 in 2004-05m their last appearance in the Preseason WNIT. The Redbirds need an early start to the year since they are schedule to play 30 regular season games in 2008-09, the most in program history.
ISU UNANIMOUS TOP PICK IN VALLEY PRESEASON POLL
With 10 letterwinners returning from the 2008 MVC Championship team, it came as no surprise that Illinois State was picked to win the 2009 MVC title in the preseason poll conducted by coaches and media. ISU was a unanimous choice to win the conference, receiving all 40 first-place votes in the poll. The Redbirds are the fourth team in the history of the preseason poll to be a unanimous top-choice, joining Drake (2001-02) and Southern Illinois (1986-87 and 1987-88). Of those three teams, only the 86-87 SIU squad went on to win the regular season title and the conference tournament title. Drake did make it to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team and advanced to the Sweet 16. Preseason voters have correctly selected the conference's regular season champion 15 times in 25 seasons of the preseason poll, but, since the poll was expanded to include sports information directors and media in 1994-95, pollsters have accurately predicted 10 of the 14 champions. Preseason favorites have played in 17 postseasons, including14 NCAA Tournaments.
ALL-REDBIRDS
Senior Kristi Cirone and junior Maggie Krick were both selected to the Preseason All-MVC team, as voted on by the league's coaches, media and sports information directors, making ISU the only team with multiple selections. Both players garnered All-Valley honors last season.
`BIRDS RECEIVING VOTES IN BOTH NATIONAL PRESEASON POLLS
ISU has carried the success of last season into 2008-09 by receiving votes in both national preseason polls. The Redbirds received seven votes in the Associated Press Top-25 and three votes in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. ISU received votes in the AP poll for 17 weeks last season and was ranked. No.24 by the AP on Jan. 28. The Redbirds received seven votes in the final AP poll of the season. In the ESPN/USA Today poll, the Redbirds received votes for 11 weeks.
