Freeman and Clark Earn Preseason All-Conference; Tulane Picked to Finish Third
Oct 28, 2020 | Women's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS – Seniors Krystal Freeman and Arsula Clark earned Preseason All-American Athletic Conference honors, the conference announced on Wednesday. As a team, Tulane was picked to finish third of 11 teams in the AAC.
"Krystal and Su established themselves as top players in the league last season," head coach Lisa Stockton said. "Both will be very important to our team success."
Freeman was one of three unanimous picks for the preseason first team, earning the honor for the second straight season. The senior forward led the Green Wave last season with 15.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. She shot 45.4 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three in the 2019-20 season, which also led the Olive and Blue. Freeman was named Second Team All-Conference after last season.
Last season, the Pineville, La., native ranked sixth in field goal percentage (.454), seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.351), eighth in The American in scoring (15.0), ninth in rebounding (7.7) and 12th in steals (1.7). She averaged 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds during the conference season. Freeman had a career night at SMU on Jan. 15, 2020, scoring a career-high 30 points and hitting the game winning three to give the Green Wave a 67-66 win over the Mustangs. The forward also scored 29 points at Cincinnati on Feb. 23, 2020.
Clark burst on the scene for the Green Wave last season after playing her first two seasons at Louisiana-Monroe. She was second on the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game. The senior guard added 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists on the season. Clark shot 44.6 percent from the field and made a team-high 129 free throws, which ranked 11th all-time in program history.
Clark made an immediate impact for the Olive and Blue as she led the Green Wave in scoring off the bench with 18 points in two wins over Jackson State and Washington. The Miami native also hit the game winning layup at Washington on Nov. 10, 2019. The guard scored a season-high 31 points against Wichita State on Feb. 16, 2020. She narrowly missed logging the first triple-double in program history with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the win over Cincinnati on Jan. 18, 2020. Clark finished last season strong, averaging 22.5 points at the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
"We are excited about the experience and talent on this year's team," Stockton said. "Our players have been very focused on making a run for the top of the league."
As a team, Tulane was picked to finish third in the league this season behind USF, who earned eight first place votes and 98 points, and UCF, who earned one first place vote and 79 points. The Green Wave earned 78 points to edge out Cincinnati, who earned two first place votes and 73 total points. Temple, Wichita State, Houston, Memphis, ECU, SMU and Tulsa rounded out the poll in that order. This is the highest predicted preseason finish for the Green Wave since joining the American Athletic Conference in the 2014-15 season. Tulane was picked to finish third before the team's last season in Conference-USA in 2013-14. Cincinnati's IImar'I Thomas and Temple's Mia Davis were tabbed as co-Preseason Players of the Year.
Preseason Players of the Year
IImar'I Thomas, F, Cincinnati
Mia Davis, F, Temple
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Brittney Smith, F, UCF
IImar'I Thomas, F, Cincinnati*
Lashonda Monk, G, East Carolina
Mia Davis, F, Temple*
Krystal Freeman, F, Tulane*
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, F, Memphis
Elisa Pinzan, G, USF
Elena Tsineke, G, USF
Arsula Clark, G, Tulane
Mariah McCully, G, Wichita State
*denotes unanimous selection
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out at NolaBuilt.com.
"Krystal and Su established themselves as top players in the league last season," head coach Lisa Stockton said. "Both will be very important to our team success."
Freeman was one of three unanimous picks for the preseason first team, earning the honor for the second straight season. The senior forward led the Green Wave last season with 15.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. She shot 45.4 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three in the 2019-20 season, which also led the Olive and Blue. Freeman was named Second Team All-Conference after last season.
Last season, the Pineville, La., native ranked sixth in field goal percentage (.454), seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.351), eighth in The American in scoring (15.0), ninth in rebounding (7.7) and 12th in steals (1.7). She averaged 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds during the conference season. Freeman had a career night at SMU on Jan. 15, 2020, scoring a career-high 30 points and hitting the game winning three to give the Green Wave a 67-66 win over the Mustangs. The forward also scored 29 points at Cincinnati on Feb. 23, 2020.
Clark burst on the scene for the Green Wave last season after playing her first two seasons at Louisiana-Monroe. She was second on the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game. The senior guard added 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists on the season. Clark shot 44.6 percent from the field and made a team-high 129 free throws, which ranked 11th all-time in program history.
Clark made an immediate impact for the Olive and Blue as she led the Green Wave in scoring off the bench with 18 points in two wins over Jackson State and Washington. The Miami native also hit the game winning layup at Washington on Nov. 10, 2019. The guard scored a season-high 31 points against Wichita State on Feb. 16, 2020. She narrowly missed logging the first triple-double in program history with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the win over Cincinnati on Jan. 18, 2020. Clark finished last season strong, averaging 22.5 points at the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
"We are excited about the experience and talent on this year's team," Stockton said. "Our players have been very focused on making a run for the top of the league."
As a team, Tulane was picked to finish third in the league this season behind USF, who earned eight first place votes and 98 points, and UCF, who earned one first place vote and 79 points. The Green Wave earned 78 points to edge out Cincinnati, who earned two first place votes and 73 total points. Temple, Wichita State, Houston, Memphis, ECU, SMU and Tulsa rounded out the poll in that order. This is the highest predicted preseason finish for the Green Wave since joining the American Athletic Conference in the 2014-15 season. Tulane was picked to finish third before the team's last season in Conference-USA in 2013-14. Cincinnati's IImar'I Thomas and Temple's Mia Davis were tabbed as co-Preseason Players of the Year.
| Team (First-Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. USF (8) | 98 |
| 2. UCF (1) | 79 |
| 3. Tulane | 78 |
| 4. Cincinnati (2) | 73 |
| 5. Temple | 57 |
| 6. Wichita State | 54 |
| 7. Houston | 49 |
| 8. Memphis | 40 |
| 9. East Carolina | 36 |
| 10. SMU | 31 |
| 11. Tulsa | 10 |
Preseason Players of the Year
IImar'I Thomas, F, Cincinnati
Mia Davis, F, Temple
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Brittney Smith, F, UCF
IImar'I Thomas, F, Cincinnati*
Lashonda Monk, G, East Carolina
Mia Davis, F, Temple*
Krystal Freeman, F, Tulane*
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, F, Memphis
Elisa Pinzan, G, USF
Elena Tsineke, G, USF
Arsula Clark, G, Tulane
Mariah McCully, G, Wichita State
*denotes unanimous selection
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out at NolaBuilt.com.
Players Mentioned
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