MSU Women: Ready to roll
It wasn't until the team took the floor for the tip-off against Saginaw Valley State tonight that I realized just how much I missed watching the MSU Women play. I'm so happy the season is rolling.
And, sure, the 97-32 win over SVSU was ... well ... expected. But getting to see the new squad in action did much to fuel my enthusiasm about the season to come. Among the new standouts:
Lykendra Johnson: Red-shirted last year for academic reasons, this forward can PLAY. She's tough, she's confident, she's a good ball handler and willing to fight for position inside. Adding her 6-1 frame to the bench, along with fellow 6-1'ers Aisha Jefferson, Lauren Aitch and Kalisha Keane, the Spartans now have some real size and strength in the forward position.
Courtney Schiffauer: The 6-1 freshman forward (yes, another one) was the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Division I player of the year and, man, did she make herself known on the court tonight. She's aggressive under the basket and seems to have given a crop of fans a whole new reason to hang onto the "COURTNEY" cry they perfected after four years of cheering for Courtney Davidson.
Porsche Poole: The freshman guard from Ohio didn't rack up a ton of points, but she didn't need to -- she helped run a smooth offense (starting point guard Brittney Thomas is on the bench for the next four to six weeks with a broken right hand) and didn't look like a tentative freshman.
Mostly, though, I was thrilled to see Aisha Jefferson back on the court, after sitting out last season with a torn ACL. She's lean, strong and ready to play.
Next up: One more exhibition game at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bres, vs. Grand Valley State. See you there.
thats a pair of serious beatdowns by the basketball teams.
Posted by: bradford | November 07, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Thanks, Robin, for the analysis. Keep it coming.
Posted by: Marc | November 07, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Should be a good season.
Go Green!!!
Posted by: beee-dubbb | November 07, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I think we're getting ready to turn the corner from being respectable to becoming fab. Next season should be a huge one, but this year we should be back in the Big Dance at the very least. Of course the way the women's sports pile-up serious injuries (the soccer, volleyball, and hoops teams have all been hit hard in recent times), knock on wood.
Posted by: Michael Motta | November 08, 2008 at 08:40 AM
who cares? the football team is 9-2...discuss
Posted by: pook | November 09, 2008 at 02:16 AM