Women's Basketball Ranked In Second Preseason Poll
Oct 18, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 18, 2002
NEW ORLEANS, La. - - The Tulane women's basketball team has been ranked in another preseason poll, checking in at No. 15 in the Street & Smith's preseason Top 25 according to the magazine's recently released college basketball edition.
In addition, senior standout Teana McKiver was named to Street & Smith's Women's All-America team, earning a mention on the Honorable Mention listing. The national ranking marks the second preseason poll to list Tulane, as the Green Wave were also ranked 12th in the Athlon Sports preseason Top 25.
"It is nice to recognized in the national polls," Tulane head coach Lisa Stockton said. "I think it is a reflection of the hard work the team has put in, both over the summer and during the preseason. We are excited for the season to get underway. I think we have a lot of potential to be a versatile and well-balanced team and it should be a very exciting year."
The Street & Smith's poll features five teams on Tulane's 2002-03 schedule. Louisiana Tech is listed at No. 8, while Purdue checks in at No. 10 and Conference USA rival Cincinnati is ranked 17th. In addition, opponents Auburn and TCU are listed among the magazine's best of the rest.
The Green Wave return four starters and 13 letterwinners from last season's team that finished with 24 victories and reached the NCAA Tournament for the eighth consecutive season. Those 24 wins were the third-highest victory total in school history and marked the program's seventh consecutive 20-win season. The Wave also reached the championship game of the Conference USA Tournament for an unprecedented fourth year in a row.
All-American Teana McKiver will lead Tulane into the 2002-03 season. The senior ranked third nationally in field goal percentage, shooting at a 62.3 percent clip, while leading the Wave in scoring (16.4 points per game). McKiver won't carry the load herself, however, as the Wave should once again feature a balanced team. Senior Gwen Slaughter ranked as the team's top rebounder last season, while fellow senior Britt Themann has remarkable three-point range. Juniors Delacey Joseph, Kelly Nadeau and Tiffany Wilson all improved throughout the season and stepped up their contributions down the stretch.
The Green Wave open the 2002-03 season on Sun., Nov. 10 with a home exhibition against the Houston Jaguars. The regular season gets underway with a Nov. 22 contest at James Madison, while the Wave open the home porition of their schedule on Dec. 5 against Alabama State at Fogelman Arena.
