CLEVELAND -- Bowling Green (East Division) and Eastern Michigan (West Division) have again been selected as the women’s basketball preseason favorites in a vote by the MAC News Media Association and league head coaches at the league’s annual media day. Bowling Green, the two-time defending champion with five starters returning, is the overwhelming favorite to capture the MAC Tournament.
The Falcons (28-3, 16-0 MAC) return all five starters, including all-MAC performers in first-teamer Ali Mann (14.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), second-team selections Liz Honegger (13.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Kate Achter (10.9, 4.5) and third-team honoree Carin Horne (11.7, 4.4). Under head coach Curt Miller, the Falcons also go into the campaign with a preseason ranking of No. 25 in the ESPN preseason poll as compiled by Nancy Lieberman. The Falcons will be seeking their third consecutive MAC Tournament title and have compiled a 51-11 overall record the last two seasons.
Kent State (21-9, 12-4), picked to finish second in the East, was East Division and MAC Tournament runner-up last year and will have three starters returning. MAC Sixth Man of the Year La’Kia Stewart (6.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and guard Sarah Burgess (10.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg) will return for head coach Bob Lindsay. Lindsay’s 208 all-time wins in conference games is the most ever for any MAC basketball coach.
Miami (8-20, 31-3) is picked third as four starter return for Maria Fantanarosa. All-MAC Freshman selection Jenna Schone (8.5 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Sarah Hull (7.5 ppg), both starters in all 28 games last year, return at the guard position. Ohio (9-20, 5-11), under first-year head coach Sylvia Crawly is picked fourth. The Bobcats have back 2006 MAC Freshman of the Year Rachel Frederick (14.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and 2005 Sixth Man of the Year honoree Simone Redd (14.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg), both who were honorable mention All-MAC selections in 2006. Buffalo, guided by second-year head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald is selected fifth. The Bulls (10-18, 5-11), who increased their win total from 4 to 10 in MacDonald-Hill’s first season, are led by All-MAC Heather Turner (14.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg), who has led the MAC in field goal shooting in back-to-back seasons. Akron (5-23, 2-14), who will be under a new head coach in Jodi Krest, was selected sixth. Third-team All-MAC guard Jessie Crooks (14.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg) is back after leading the Zips in scoring last season.
Eastern Michigan was one of four teams in the West Division to received first-place votes. Suzy Merchant’s Eagle squads have produced three consecutive season with 20-plus wins and leading that charge this season are All-MAC second teamer Patrice McKinney (8.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and veteran Sarah VanMetre (11.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg).
According to the pollsters, Western Michigan (second), Ball State (third) and Northern Illinois (fourth) will not be far behind each other. Under the tutelage of Ron Stewart, entering his 10th season with the Broncos, WMU (14-14, 11-5) will be able to call on Carrie Moore for strong across-the-board numbers. Moore was the only player in the MAC last year to rank in the top five in scoring (17.2 ppg, third), rebounding (7.4 rpg, fifth) and field goal percentage (.499, fourth). Tracy Roller’s Ball State (17-12, 9-7) squad has the services of All-MAC and MAC rebounding leader Julie DeMuth (8.9 rpg) to anchor its four returning starters. DeMuth also topped the MAC with 10 double-doubles. The Huskies of Carol Owens advanced to the MAC quarterfinals last year, with All-MAC guard Stephanie Raymond leading the way. Raymond (16.4 ppg) was one of two players in the MAC (Ryan Coleman, EMU) to lead her team in scoring, assists (123) and steals (58).
Toledo (11-17, 4-12) and Central Michigan (16-12, 7-9) were tabbed to finish fifth and sixth, respectively. The Rockets of Mark Ehlen can count on All-MAC honoree Danielle Bishop (14.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg). The Chippewas, coached by Eileen Kleinfelter, return All-MAC honoree Ann Skufca (10.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg).
The women’s basketball season begins Nov. 10 with six teams in action. The conference slate starts Jan. 3 with all 12 teams in action that day. The season culminates with the 2007 MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game March 10 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
2006-07 MAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
EAST DIVISION
Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Bowling Green (40) 245
2. Kent State (1) 193
3. Miami 136
4. Ohio 115
5. Buffalo 112
6. Akron 60
WEST DIVISION
Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Eastern Michigan (21) 214
2. Western Michigan (8) 188
3. Ball State (6) 157
4. Northern Illinois (6) 142
5. Toledo 94
6. Central Michigan 66
To win the MAC Tournament: Bowling Green (35), Kent State (2), Western Michigan (2), Toledo (1).
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