Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:18 AM CST
Faster pace, same expectations for EIU women
BY BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
bnielsen@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON -- Not only do you need a roster again but you probably better learn new names before Eastern Illinois’ women’s basketball team tips off.
Once the ball is in the air, little time may be left for looking anywhere but the court.
Days may be gone from using whatever part of the 30-second shot clock was needed before Rachel Galligan finally broke loose of defender(s) who had coach Brady Sallee screaming foul until Galligan put in another basket toward her school record quest.
Now what are we to expect from the Panther women who have to replace that fabulous five-senior group from a 24-9 Ohio Valley Conference runner-up team?
“In one word, faster,” senior forward Marie Baker said. “The pace of the game is amped up. Everybody is playing really quick. It’s exciting to watch and exciting to play.”
“We’re quicker now, more athletic, pushing the ball,” senior guard Lauren Sturtevant said.
This is only partly because of what might be a new fab five freshmen.
“I do think we’re quite a bit more athletic, not just the group we brought in but from the things the kids did in the off-season,” Sallee said.
So don’t get too comfortable in your seats. Be ready for full-court basketball.
Oh yeah, if you are sitting in one of the rows close to the floor, Sallee adds a warning that maybe you better be ready in case an errant pass flies your way.
“The five freshmen may be as talented as a group as we’ve brought in but they don’t know how to open the gym door yet,” Sallee said.
This may be a test not only for a coach, who has rebuilt EIU’s program back into a winner while never having been particularly known for his patience, but also for the veteran players.
“It’s kind of like the seniors have taken on a coach’s role,” Sturtevant said. “Now we can understand how he felt.”
“Which is a first for us,” Baker said with a laugh, “to understand something through Brady’s eyes.”
Sallee understands this change in offensive plans includes a trade after his team led the OVC with a .446 field-goal percentage last season.
“I think we can still be as productive,” he said. “We may not shoot 48 percent doing it. We may shoot 40 percent but get more opportunities. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
The team that led the OVC in defense, allowing just 58.4 point per game limiting foes to .365 shooting despite finishing last in the league with 5.7 steals per game, may have a different outlook as well.
“Coach wants us to be a more stealing team,” Sturtevant said.
That isn’t to come at the risk of too many gambles and defensive mistakes Sallee despises.
“He doesn’t want us to be lunging at the ball,” Sturtevant said. “We want to be in position.”
Baker added: “Because of the quickness of the team we can recover and get back.”
The style of play is being established this preseason.
Statistical leaders, if that matters, are to be determined.
Senior guard Dominique Sims, who averaged 8.6 points and 4.5 rebounds while making 38 3-pointers, is Eastern’s lone returning starter.
Maggie Kloak, a 6-foot-1 senior forward, added 8.4 points per game while shooting .505 from the field as a main backup and sometimes complement to Galligan inside, and Ashley Thomas added 5.4 points per game mixing some key contributions into a season in which back troubles sidelined her for eight games.
No one is expecting to replace the numbers of Galligan, who after averaging 17.6 points last season is playing pro ball in Spain.
More balance is expected.
And oh yes, these current Panthers realize they have doubters who are expecting a rebuilding season after the graduation of the five seniors who turned around the program.
“Those five had a great career here and they are always going to be remembered for that,” Baker said. “But we are excited to show we can win, too. They were great but the past is the past.”
Sturtevant said: “I think we’re ready to make a name for ourselves. With them we were great but now we can still be great.”
Remember, in his public interview for this job six years ago, Sallee made it clear he had no patience for rebuilding in year one.
So why would he have two straight appearances in the OVC tournament championship game?
Some players and the style may be new but . . .
“The expectations in our program haven’t changed one iota,” Sallee said.
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.
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