Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan Tabbed As MAC Women's Favorites
Oct. 26, 2005
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CLEVELAND -- Bowling Green (East Division) and Eastern Michigan (West Division) have been selected as the women's basketball preseason favorites in a vote by the MAC News Media Association at the league's annual media day. Bowling Green, who competed in the West Division the past three years, is a close favorite to edge Kent State. EMU, the MAC Champion in 2004, is picked just ahead of Western Michigan.
The Falcons (23-8, 13-3 MAC) return all five starters, including all-MAC performers Liz Honegger (14.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg), Ali Mann (13.8, 7.4) and Carin Horne (11.4, 4.2). Also back is Kate Achter (11.0, 4.0) who won MAC Tournament MVP honors as a freshman, and Casey McDowell (6.8, 2.5).
Kent State (21-9, 12-4) was co-East Division champion last year and will have four starters returning for a program that has produced 15 consecutive winning seasons, which is the most winning seasons in a row in MAC history. All-MAC selections Lindsay Shearer (17.2, 7.1) and Malika Willoughby (9.9, 3.8, MAC Defensive Player of the Year) lead the Golden Flashes. KSU has finished in either first or second place every season since 1996.
Miami (15-13, 8-8) is picked third and has two starters back, both all-MAC selections in 2005. A pair of senior guards pace the RedHawks in Cindi Merrill (17.1, 6.0) and Amanda Jackson (13.1, 4.6). Ohio (13-16, 8-8), selected fourth, returns Sixth Man of the Year in Simone Redd (11.6, 3.6). Buffalo (4-24, 2-14), a fifth place selection with four returning starters, is under the direction of new head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald, who has previous head coaching experience at Temple and Minnesota in the collegiate ranks and with the Cleveland Rockers of the WNBA. UB has MAC Freshman of the Year Heather Turner (11.1, 7.7) returning. Akron (3-25, 3-13) was tabbed for sixth place and returns three starters, including leading scorer Jessie Crooks (9.8, 4.5).
Eastern (23-8, 11-5) has two all-MAC selections and four starters back to try and get a third consecutive 20-win season. Ryan Coleman (17.9, 6.7) and Nikki Knapp (14.0, 7.3) highlight the Eagles' roster. Also back from the Eagles' starting lineup is Melis Ulker (5.2, 4.1) and Sarah VanMetre (7.4, 4.1).
The Broncos (10-18, 7-9) return only two starters from last year but also get back to the floor with two starters from the previous season who missed most of 2005 with injuries. All-MAC first-team honoree in 2005 Carrie Moore (17.6, 8.2) and 2004 MAC Player of the Year Casey Rost (19.8, 4.2 in 2004) form a strong duo for WMU. Senior Kate Verseput (5.6, 4.4) is back from the `05 starting lineup and Maria Jilian (9.7, 5.7 in 2004) is also back.
Ball State (16-13, 11-5) is picked third after losing 2005 MAC Player of the Year Kate Endress (18.5, 6.3). The Cardinals do return five players who started at least 17 games. Leading the way are guards Tina Bolte (11.2, 1.5) and Kelsey Corbin (8.3, 4.6) both of whom started all 29 games last season. Toledo (14-13, 9-7) is selected a close fourth behind BSU. The Rockets welcome four starters from 2005, including all-MAC selection Danielle Bishop (14.8, 5.2). Northern Illinois (7-21, 4-12), under the direction of first year head coach and former Notre Dame associate head coach Carol Owens, is tabbed for fifth. The Huskies return a veteran lineup of four starters from 2005 with all-MAC guard Stephanie Raymond (15.5, 6.0) topping the list. Central Michigan, picked sixth, has four starters returning. Casey Manning (10.3, 4.9) is back after leading the Chippewas in scoring last year.
2005-06 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
EAST DIVISION
Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Bowling Green (17) 132
2. Kent State (6) 117
3. Miami 93
4. Ohio 68
5. Buffalo 40
6. Akron 33
WEST DIVISION
Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Eastern Michigan (20) 132
2. Western Michigan (3) 99
3. Ball State 86
4. Toledo 83
5. Northern Illinois 44
6. Central Michigan 39
To win the MAC Tournament: Bowling Green (15), Kent State (5), Eastern Michigan (4), Western Michigan (1).
