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This Week in Pac-10 Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
PAC-10 CONFERENCE NOTES The start of the 2009-10 women's basketball season begins this week, with three teams tipping off the campaign on Friday, Nov. 13. By the close of the weekend, nine of the 10 Pac-10 teams will have played at least one game, with Oregon debuting its campaign on Monday, Nov. 16. From the opening weekend, fans will get a chance to watch a couple of Pac-10 teams on television, beginning with the clash between Stanford and Rutgers. New York City area faithfuls can watch on Fios1. Washington's road contest at Portland State will be televised on Big Sky TV. BALANCING ACT: As the season tips off this week, there is a good mix of returning and newcomers to the Pac-10 this season. A combined 48 players will likey make their Pac-10 debuts this season across the 10 teams, making up 36 percent of all the players in the league. Leading the way is Arizona State, who welcomes eight freshmen and transfers, combined, followed by California (7) and Oregon Sate (70). Meanwhile, Stanford adds just two players to this season's roster in its chase for the National Title. USC and UCLA tie the Cardinal for the fewest number of newcomers. Stanford and USC each welcome a couple of freshmen, while the Bruins have a freshman and a transfer joining the squad in 2009-10. AMONG THE YOUNGEST: Arizona and Washington State are two of the least experienced teams in the nation, in terms of Division I playing experience. The Wildcats are the most inexperienced of the two, with the 11 players on the roster boasting just five years of playing experience at the DI level while WSU's roster of 13 brings just eight years of experience. In contrast, Stanford is the most experienced squad in the Pac-10, with its players boasting 24 years of playing experience, followed by UCLA (23) and USC (22). Youngest Teams (years indicate of DI playing experience) Information on the youngest teams in the nation was compiled by UT-Martin SID office. All-Star Returns: All signs indicate another competitive season as eight of the 15 members of the 2009 All-Pac-10 team return for the 2009-10, including three of the five first-team members. Also among the returnees are seven of the 11 players named honorable mention all-conference. OFFENSIVE RETURNS: Six of the Conference teams return its leading scorer from a year ago, while four squads welcome back its top rebounder, including the Pac-10's leading boarder in JR F Ify Ibekwe of Arizona. NEW FACES & FAMILIAR FACES: Heading into the 2009-10 campaign, the Conference welcomes two new head coaches in Michael Cooper from USC and Oregon's Paula Westhead. While each brings an impressive resume with experience coaching at the men's and women's professional ranks, each are taking on their first women's college coaching position. - www.pac-10.org -
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