Iowa State Women's Basketball Preview 2016

Summer school

Ames Tribune

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Bridget Carleton’s summer with the Canadian National team SEE PAGE 2

ISU’s centerless game plan SEE PAGE 7

2016-17 Iowa State women’s basketball guide

ISU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

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Ames Tribune

2016 IOWA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS Bridget Carleton Page 2 Schedule Page 4-5 Full roster Page 6 Centerless Page 7 TeeTee’s time Page 8

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Sunday, November 6, 2016

Carleton poised for big year after big summer

By Ian Murphy

Staff Writer imurphy@amestrib.com

Bridget Carleton got the usual treatment of superlatives at her second Iowa State women’s basketball media day.

Her coach, Bill Fennelly, and teammates all threw around that Carleton has improved her game, that she had a great summer and that she’s been as dedicated as any of the Cyclones since school started again.

But Fennelly also stepped outside the routine media day plaudits to complement his sophomore guard.

“She looks different,” He said. “She walks different. She stands up a little taller. She’s just got that air about her. She’s a lot more confident.”

Carleton’s ringing endorsement from her coach comes at a good time for both her and the Cyclones.

There’s nowhere to go but up for Carleton, who started 25 games last season, averaging 12.0 points, 6.7 boards and 1.7 assists during one of the best freshman campaigns in ISU history and was a unanimous freshman all-Big 12 pick.

ISU too has only room for improvement after last season left the sour taste of

Iowa State’s Bridget Carleton started 25 games last season, averaging 12.0 points, 6.7 boards and 1.7 assists per game during one of the best freshman campaigns in ISU history and was a unanimous freshman all-Big 12 pick. PHOTO BY NIRMALENDU MAJUMDAR/AMES TRIBUNE

ISU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

physical basketball, and that she needed to a three-week-old apple in the program’s find new and different ways to score outside mouth. of jump shooting.

Senna Johnson gets a lot of attention Carleton said Prague was her favorite and deservedly so. The senior was named trip this summer, though whether that was to the preseason all-Big 12 team and has been a consistent rock for ISU. Fennelly said because of the basketball success she had remains to be seen.

Johnson could become one of the best to Carleton was the best player out of ever play at Iowa State.

Canada in her class and was thrust into the But his acclaim for his returning players spotlight for the Cyclones did not stop with Johnson.

Johnson also laid the “She’s got a chance early.

Fennelly said he regrets compliments on Carleton. to be scary good. having to play the true “I think she’s got a lot freshman as much as he did better. She was already great, And the good thing last season, as well as his but she got better. I know is she wants to be decision to stop practicing she improved more and more to preserve health toward this summer,” Johnson said. scary good.” the end of the season, but “She was great for us as a Carleton said the exposure freshman, but I’m excited to Bill Fennelly, she got her freshman year see how much she’s grown as Iowa State women’s helped her. a person.” basketball coach, “My freshman year, I ISU has only had one talking about sophomore learned a lot. I feel like I Bridget Carleton player from Canada — Cargrew a lot as a player and a leton is a Chatham, Ontario person,” she said. native — in its history, but so far, the The international opportunity provided return on investment has been nothing the young guard with an opportunity to short of exceptional with a forecast to only play against some of the best in the world get better. and another opportunity for growth.

“She’s got a chance to be scary good,” “Just being able to train with those girls Fennelly said of Carleton. “And the good all summer and every day, kind of learning thing is she wants to be scary good.” how to train, learning how to practice, how Carleton took to the international basto compare myself against them,” Carleton ketball scene this summer, playing a role for Team Canada throughout the lead-up to the said.

“I learned a lot about what I needed to Olympics. work on.”

She made the Canadian Senior National How good Carleton can be is still up in team, appearing in six games and four more the air. The Cyclones are fully healthy to for the Development National Team, after start the season, meaning Carleton may see previously playing for the U16, U17, U18 a reduction from the 33.8 minutes per game and U19 teams. she got last season.

Tournaments in France and Spain with She could, however, keep her high the senior national team saw her average minute totals despite the healthy lineup.

3.0 and 1.7 points, respectively.

The Cyclones’ second-leading scorer In four games at the Prague Open with from last year could continue to improve the developmental team, the now-sophoat a rapid pace and once again be a complemore averaged 13.2 points per game. ment to Johnson on the wing.

“Being able to play against professionals What the Cyclones do know, however, is all summer every day was obviously a great that Bridget Carleton will go as far Bridget experience. I’ve never played with any of Carleton wants to go, whether that’s with them before,” Carleton said.

ISU, Team Canada or beyond.

She said the international opportunity, “The only thing that’s going to hold which came with an outside shot at making Bridget back is Bridget,” Fennelly said. “I the Rio de Janeiro Olympic team, taught don’t know if we’ve ever had a kid who’s in her a lot about her game. the gym as much as Bridget.”

She said she learned to play more

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Sunday, November 6, 2016 3

Iowa State’s Bridget Carleton spent her summer by playing a role for Team Canada throughout the lead-up to the Olympics. She made the Canadian Senior National team, appearing in six games and four more for the Development National Team, after previously playing for the U16, U17, U18 and U19 teams. PHOTO BY NIRMALENDU MAJUMDAR/AMES TRIBUNE

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Feb. 11 at Kansas State Feb. 15 Texas Tech Feb. 18 West Virginia Feb. 21 at Kansas Feb. 24 at Texas Feb. 27 Oklahoma State March 3-5 Big 12 tournament (Oklahoma City)

ISU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Jan. 11 Oklahoma Jan. 15 at TCU Jan. 18 at Baylor Jan. 21 H: Kansas State Jan. 25 at Oklahoma Jan. 28 TCU Feb. 1 Baylor Feb. 4 at West Virginia

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Dec. 7 at Iowa Dec. 11 Northern Illinois Dec. 18 Delaware State Dec. 21 Sacred Heart Dec. 29 at Oklahoma State Jan. 1 Texas Jan. 4 at Texas Tech Jan. 8 Kansas

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Nov. 6 Briar Cliff(exhibition) Nov. 11 UCSB Nov. 15 UNI Nov. 20 Drake Nov. 22 Savannah State Nov. 27 Arkansas State Dec. 3 Mississippi State Dec. 4 New Orleans

ISU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

IOWA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

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ISU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

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Sunday, November 6, 2016

CYCLONE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER AND PLAYER BIOS 2 Sofija Živaljević G 5-9 Freshman A�eraged8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists competing for Montenegro’s U20 National team. Was a four-star prospect on Blue Star Europe. Helped lead her club team, Zkk Buducnost, to an MZRKL title.

3 Emily Durr G 6-0 Junior

Started in two of the Cyclones’ 30 games last season. Averaged 5.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Scored in double digits six times and had a career-high 24 points at Oklahoma. Shot 33.3 percent from 3-point range to lead the team.

4 Heather Bowe F 6-0 R-Senior 2 Sofija Živaljević G 5-9 Freshman

3 Emily Durr G 6-0 Junior

4 Heather Bowe F 6-0 R-Senior

10 Nia Washington G 5-7 Freshman

Sat out last season per NCAA transfer rules after joining the Cyclones in December. Spent three seasons at Vanderbilt with 55 career starts and 82 career appearances. Shot 47.8 percent from the field at Vanderbilt with career highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds.

10 Nia Washington G 5-7 Freshman

Started three years at Colonial Forge High School and later transferred to R�verdale Baptist High School her senior. Was a conference player of the year and McDonald’s All-America candidate.

11 Jadda Buckley G 5-8 R-Junior

Started in all 30 games for ISU last season, averaging 11.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. She ranked third in the Big 12 and 14th overall.

Had 21 games in double figures last season and three double-doubles.

12 Seanna Johnson G 5-10 Senior

Was named a first-team all-Big 12 player in 2016 and a preseason all-Big 12 player this season. Started in every game she appeared in last season, making 90-straight straights. Averaged 17.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

11 Jadda Buckley G 5-8 R-Junior

12 Seanna Johnson G 5-10 Senior

13 Adriana Camber F 5-10 Freshman

14 Aliyah Konate F/C 6-4 Freshman

13 Adriana Camber F 5-10 Freshman

Was a member of the Nordic National Championship team in 2013 and 2014 and was named an all star. Won a Swedish championship in 2016. Competed in the U20 European championships this summer.

14 Aliyah Konate F/C 6-4 Freshman Was a member of Germany’s 3-on-3 national team in the Youth Olympic Games in 2014. Competes for the German club ALBA Berlin and has won several championships with the club.

21 Bridget Carleton G 6-1 Sophomore Started 25 of the 27 games she appeared in as a freshman, averaging 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Was a unanimous selection to the all-Big 12 freshman team and was named the Big 12 freshman of the week five times.

Is a member of the Canadian national team.

22 TeeTee Starks G 5-9 R-Freshman 21 Bridget Carleton G 6-1 Sophomore

22 TeeTee Starks G 5-9 R-Freshman

23 Lexi Albrecht G 5-10 Senior

30 Claire Ricketts F 6-3 R-Sophomore

Appeared in nine games and started in five for the Cyclones before being sidelined for the season with articular cartilage damage to her right knee. Had a career-high 11 points in her collegiate debut against Hampton.

23 Lexi Albrecht G 5-10 Senior Appeared in 15 games, scoring 14 points and grabbing four rebo�nds.Had a season-high five points against Alcorn State in 10 minutes of action.

30 Claire Ricketts F 6-3 R-Sophomore Played in 28 games averaging 1.5 points and 2.1 rebounds. Set career high in points, seven, and in rebounds, 11, against Southern.

32 Meredith Burkhall 6-3 F Sophomore Played in all 30 games and started 18 for last season. Averaged 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game and shot 43.4 percent from the field. Had an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double against Kansas.

35 Jordan Jensen 6-2 F Senior 32 Meredith Burkhall 35 Jordan Jensen F 6-3 Sophomore F 6-2 Senior

Coach Bill Fennelly 613-276 career record

Appeared in 12 games, scoring 10 points and pulling in nine rebounds.

Had a career-high four points against Alcorn State while tying her career-high with three rebounds.

ISU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

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Sunday, November 6, 2016 7

Cyclones centered without one Ian Murphy

Staff Writer imurphy@amestrib.com

Centers are out. The tall trees that used to anchor the lane on offense and protect the rim on defense are fading away.

Threes from the half-court line are in. The standard one through five lineup of guards, forwards and a center is gone, replaced by a smaller, pass-happy lineup.

The Cyclones will try to play the latter style of basketball. In fact, Iowa State women’s basketball team does not list a true center on its roster.

Aliyah Konate, a 6-foot, 4-inch freshman from Berlin, is listed as a forward/center, the only player even listed at center on the Cyclones roster.

The center, at least in the formal game program, may be going the way of the Florida coastline. It won’t be gone over night, but every crashing wave takes a bit back out to sea.

Centers aren’t at risk of rising sea levels, but the tide is turning away from them. The Cyclones, like many teams in the country, are moving away from the traditional mold of a center.

ISU is undersized compared to other teams in the conference.

Meredith Burkhall, Konate and others will play the five this season, but Burkhall and Konate are the tallest Cyclones at 6-3 and 6-4, respectively.

Around the Big 12, Baylor sophomore Kalani Brown is listed at 6 feet 7 inches. Texas’ Kelsey Lang and West Virginia’s Lanay Montgomery are 6-5.

The Cyclones aren’t small, but

Iowa State’s frontcourt players are, from left, Heather Bowe, Jordan Jensen, Meredith Burkhall, Aliyah Konate and Claire Ricketts. PHOTO BY NIRMALENDU MAJUMDAR/AMES TRIBUNE

they aren’t big, either.

It’s a mismatch they’re confident they can overcome, however, with a focus on fundamentals.

“We just have to hustle and do our work early and box out,”

Burkhall said. “Work on our positioning and getting (other teams) out of the paint and holding our box-out until we go get the rebound and don’t, just because the shot went up, don’t run to the ball. You

still have to do work.”

The Cyclones averaged 38.7 rebounds per game, seventh in the league, while giving up 40.2 to opponents, last in the league.

The -1.5 rebounding margin was

seventh in the conference last season.

Bryanna Fernstrom, the Cyclones’ starting center, transferring midseason did nothing to help the Cyclones on the glass, of course, and the well documented injury pandemic did nothing to help either.

It’s now a new season with a mix of new players and older, healthy ones, however, and those players are not intimidated by the size of other teams around the country.

“Kind of using our strengths, our individual strengths,” Vanderbilt transfer Heather Bowe, a forward, said. “Not trying to shoot over 6-5 and 6-8, but instead go around them, kind bring them out of the paint and make them defend on us.

“I’m not really worried about not having height. I really trust Mere and believe in Mere, and Aliyah as well.”

The Cyclones will be outmatched in height several times this season, and the lack of a true center is part of the reason why.

But the confidence in the pieces they do have starts from the top.

Coach Bill Fennelly said he’s not concerned about his team’s lack of size. He’s coached several teams like this one before. He also knows the way the game is trending.

“It’s not cool to be listed as a center anymore,” Fennelly said.

“No one wants that. You want to be a basketball player and play a positionless game. So, ‘I’m not the center. I’m not the five man anymore,’ because it infers that you can’t go away from the basket. You don’t have the skill set.

“Everyone wants to be the Golden State Warriors.”

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Sunday, November 6, 2016

Recovered from knee injury, Starks to play big role for ISU

By Ian Murphy

Staff Writer imurphy@amestrib.com

A strong endorsement of a player from a coach is something about how the player comes up clutch, is the go-to player or the coach on the floor.

Then, there’s what Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly thinks of redshirt-freshman TeeTee Starks, who was shut down with a knee injury nine games into her first season with the Cyclones.

“I remember saying in a staff meeting that this is the worst thing that could have happened to our team,” Fennelly said.

“I mean that sincerely, because if you look at what TeeTee can do, there’s not many kids on our team that want to win more than her.”

A top-50 prospect out of high school, Starks figured to be an immediate contributor for the Cyclones last season.

Those plans were derailed, however, and Starks took her redshirt season and the difficulties that came with it.

Articular cartilage repair to alleviate chronic knee pain came with a long and difficult rehab that had Starks feeling low at times.

“It’s hard to not get down on yourself when you’re not able to go out and do what you love to do,” Starks said. “But I’m at a point, I’m happy, I’m healthy, I’m doing well.”

The Cyclones will need her to be happy, healthy and doing well if they want to compete in the Big 12 this season.

The well-documented injury-plagued season ISU went

Iowa State’s TeeTee Starks made a big impact early last season, but was sidelined by a knee injury after only nine games. She’s back at full strength now. PHOTO BY NIRMALENDU MAJUMDAR/AMES TRIBUNE

through a year ago could repeat itself if Starks and company can’t stay on the court.

ISU was picked by the Big 12 coaches to finish near the bottom of the conference,

but should the Cyclones exceed expectations, Starks will be a big reason why.

“She grew up in a culture of winning in high school and AAU. She was raised that way,”

Fennelly said. “And, from a basketball standpoint, she was our backup at every position.

Whoever had to come out of the game, we would go to TeeTee.” It’s clear Fennelly thinks

highly of Starks, whom he said is capable of playing every position on the floor.

It’s that ability that will keep Starks active this season. She won’t be limited on offense or defense, either.

“Within one game, you could see TeeTee starting at point guard and guarding the four man. I mean, she’s going to have to be that kind of person,” Fennelly said.

In the limited sample size the Cyclones got from her last season, Starks averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Those numbers don’t jump off the page in the way that teammate Seanna Johnson’s do, but it’s clear the coaching staff envisions Starks playing a significant role for the Cyclones this season.

Fennelly compared Starks’ basketball knowledge to that of Johnson’s, though he noted Starks’ offensive skills aren’t quite at the same level.

Starks spoke to having a healthy and deeper team this season, something that can only be of benefit to the Cyclones.

“We have a lot of bodies, we have a lot of talent, and we have a lot of returning talent, so I think all of us together are going to be great,” she said.

While her rehab took longer than she’d have liked, she understands what her role is for the Cyclones.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of rehab, a lot of pool work outs. It’s just a lot of perseverance. I just take it day by day,” she said.

“Whatever they need me to do is what I’m willing to do.”