Women's Basketball to host Christian Brothers in preseason matchup
11/03/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 3, 2006
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After the best finish of a Southern Illinois women's basketball team since 1997-98 and the best Missouri Valley Conference finish (eighth) since 1999-2000, the 2006-07 squad looks to keep climbing under the watchful eye of third-year head coach Dana Eikenberg.
"I think what I like about heading into this year is that we have the right group that is committed to taking the next step," Eikenberg said. "We're out of the convincing stage of improving the program. Now we're challenging ourselves and improving our performance and building on some of the gains we made last year."
The Salukis garnered MVC accolades for the first time since the 2002-03 season as forward Carlai Moore was named The Valley's Newcomer of the Year, averaging 17.6 points and 4.7 boards and shooting 54.8 percent from the field. SIU forward Jasmine Gibson earned MVC All-Freshman honors after averaging 7.5 points and 3.9 rebounds.
This will be the first season of Eikenberg's regime that the entire Saluki team has been recruited first-hand by the current coaching staff.
The Salukis return four of five starters from last season's team along with three key contributors off the bench. They also add four to an 11-player roster for the upcoming season.
With a roster that size, Eikenberg believes the competition in practice will be intense and the physicality of practice will advance from a year ago.
"Our depth may be an issue," Eikenberg said of her roster. "Health will be key, but we have the right group that cares and more importantly, believes."
Junior Erin Pauk returns to lead the Saluki backcourt after finishing her first season with the Salukis averaging 8.3 points and 4.0 assists.
"I truly think she has the opportunity to be one of the best point guards in the conference," Eikenberg said. "She's worked on it on and off the court. She's the key to our mission."
In the off season Pauk has worked on many things, including her shot on the perimeter. Eikenberg believes she needs to be a threat outside the arc and be able to create and make shots for herself.
"Her strength is such an asset," Eikenberg added. "I don't think there is a point guard in the league stronger than her. If she can improve, than we're starting in the right direction with a good head on our shoulders."
Backing up Pauk at the one will be junior college walk-on Courtney Grant.
Junior Jayme Sweere, who started 17 games last season, leading the Salukis in rebounds, will see time at the two-three position. Sophomore Erica Smith and junior college transfer Debbie Burris will also contribute, along with sophomore Kaci Bailey.
With the addition of some size in the frontcourt, Eikenberg expects to have options, maybe moving forwards Moore and Gibson down to play the three when needed.
"We'll be able to be flexible on some of the things we do," Eikenberg said. "We're going to work really hard to have a comfortable lineup with just about anybody out there."
The coaching staff will look for Sweere as a scorer and go-to. Consistency was an issue for the junior who sat out a year between her freshman and sophomore seasons after transferring from UMKC along with Eikenberg.
"Sweere has got to be consistent for us," Eikenberg said. "She is tough and has the ability to be very hard to guard."
Impressed with the improvement in the offseason of Smith, the Saluki coaching staff is excited to see a stronger, more confident player, rebounding the ball like she did in high school.
"We're going to expect a lot out of her both defensively and offensively," Eikenberg said. "She's recognizing what she has in how to use that versus others who don't have her speed and length."
Burris, a transfer from Allen County Community College, will see playing time at all three guard positions, including backing up Pauk at the one.
"She's intelligent and tough-minded," Eikenberg said. "She's a leader and a competitor. She's the type of player that this porgram needs to continue to add in order to do the things we want to do."
A good shooter, Burris is better known for her delivery. She can read defenses well and elude defenders.
Bailey, on the other hand, will be looked to strictly as a shooter. On a team that doesn't really have pure shooters, she's going to find some shots when she can get open.
"Kaci will benefit from the penetration of Sweere and Smith," Eikenberg said.
Headlined by the 2006 MVC Player of the Year, Moore, the four position is the ultimate position for this Saluki squad.
Moore, along with Gibson and lone freshman Dana Olsen will see playing time at small forward.
In the offseason, Moore has worked hard on the court to develop an outside game, and in the weight room to increase her strength. The senior knows she will find more attention on her this season than last so she has tried to make herself a more versatile player heading into her final season.
"Carlai has the ability to take over a game," Eikenberg said. "She'll be key there's no doubt."
Right behind Moore is Gibson, who also worked on her outside game in the offseason. She started only 12 games a year ago, but really packed a punch off the bench.
"If we can keep her confidence high and her fitness level there, (Gibson) has only begun to tap into her speed and athletic ability," Eikenberg said. "Her attitude is great and she's going to be a leader because she truly believes there's people that have to work on stopping her."
Olsen will also see time at the four. Her large size and great ball handling skills will fit well with the motion offense.
"Dana is very physical," Eikenberg said. "She also has great basketball skill."
Gentry Dietz and junior college transfer Cortney Sales will battle at the five.
Dietz, who was hurt at the end of last season, brings good size and mobility to the post. In 18 games, the sophomore averaged 2.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game before getting injured.
Sales, a back-to-the-basket player who is not afraid to bump and run.
"Cortney is truly a power post," Eikenberg said. "She will put a bigger body on some of the bigger bodies we face and that will free up Carlai and Jasmine."
The Salukis will play an exhibition game Sunday against Division II Christian Brothers University at SIU Arena. Tip-off will be at 2:05 p.m.
SIU will open the season Sunday, Nov. 12 against Missouri at 2:05 p.m. Saluki Athletics is working to Pack the Dawg House, selling tickets for the women's basketball season opener for $1.