Marquette University Athletics
Women's Basketball Hopeful of Post-Season Bid
3/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Come "Selection Sunday," the Marquette women's basketball team will be waiting a little longer, but they are expecting their name to be announced at some point during the evening. Not expected to be in the field of 64 for the NCAA Tournament, the Marquette women will likely be chosen to play in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.
Despite the disappointment of not making the NCAA Tournament, the promise of playing in the post-season is something that the players on the team still welcome.
"Things did go as planned this year, but that doesn't stop us from going out and fighting 100 percent and giving it our all," sophomore forward Jasmine McCullough said. "We're expecting to be playing in the NIT and we're going to prove that we belong in post-season play."
The element of post-season gives the team and players extra practice time and extends the season beyond what 200 or more of the other NCAA Division I teams will experience.
With a week of between the end of Marquette's run in the Conference USA Tournament and the announcement of Marquette's post-season fate, practice without an opponent brings a different element. Akin to a preseason workout, the focus of practice can strictly be on getting better for the future, even if that future is only a few days away.
"I like that feeling of being anxious," junior forward Efueko Osagie said not knowing their next opponent. "It allows you to be free in practice and play hard against your teammates."
Despite the nameless opponent, Osagie said she is ready to get back on the floor and play a game.
"I think our heart and our dedication have proven that we have always wanted to pick up more wins," she said. "We always step on the court ready to win. We won't back down from anyone."
Part of the reason Marquette has set itself up for a post-season opportunity is the play of sophomore center Christina Quaye and junior guard Carolyn Kieger. The duo were named Second-Team All-Conference USA prior to the start of the C-USA Tournament.
"I think it was great that Christina and Carolyn were acknowledged for their ability. We always talk in terms of the team, but we had some players shine," head coach Terri Mitchell said. "Christina's been a heck of a scorer and Carolyn has a great combination of scoring and how she finds her teammates. Those two are very important to the direction of the program. For them to be honored like that means a lot and the fact that they are returning means a whole lot to where we can go."
Quaye's scoring ability has been well documented. She's topped the 20-point mark nine times this season and leads the team in scoring at 15.7 per game. Despite the positive play, Quaye is not content with where she is at this point in her career.
"Its good that I can be recognized. I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates. For their efforts, it could have been anyone," Quaye said. "But it gives me motivation to work harder. There are some great players out there and I want to put myself in that group."
Kieger's consistency led her to the post-season award. She was second on the team in scoring and led the conference in assists per game. Against UAB in the first game of the Conference USA tournament, she passed the 1,000-point mark. She became the 17th player in school history to pass that mark and is just one of three players in school history to have 1,000 points and 400 or more assists.
"One thing I'd say is that there isn't an opponent's coach that I talk to that doesn't comment on how hard she plays. So many people tell me that she's one of the pure point guards that are left," Mitchell said. "I don't think she gets enough recognition about what she does. The fact that she's scored 1,000 points and has nearly 500 assists is an amazing feat and one that needs to be celebrated in this program."
Several days still exist before another game even appears on the schedule. Keeping the team motivated becomes the daily challenge in practice. After taking a couple of days off, the practices have consisted of skill work and head-to-head scrimmaging.
"We have some pretty even teams, when we divide in half and we go all out," Mitchell said. "We put these teams together a couple of weeks ago and they have this running thing between each other that's so competitive. There are a lot of teams in which there seasons are done. We're not done, and that means a whole lot to this program to keep playing and that, too, keeps us motivated."
As the season enters nears its conclusion, the goals have become more focused and have changed from the beginning of the season.
"We've talked a lot about a 20-win season," Mitchell said. "In some ways you have to talk about one game at a time, but this program always wants to have 20 wins. If we get to that 20 win mark, then we can talk about being in the semifinals (of the WNIT) and what that's all about. I think the biggest thing for us is to have an opponent and get back out there and play again."
The bracket for the Women's National Invitation Tournament will be announced on Sunday, March. 13.
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