Posted November 23rd, 2006 by Steven Leventhal

note: On our site, we recognize that womens sports are growing rapidly in popularity. I am reproducing a column by our newest reporter, Alison Moran, who has been hired to write about women's sports and her take on men's sports from a female perspective.

TOKEN FEMALE: TAKING GIRRRRL POWER TO THE NEXT LEVEL
By: Alison Moran, YourSportsFan.com Columnist

CAN MARYLAND DO IT AGAIN?

Basketball was never better than in the 2006 NCAA Division 1 Women's Final. Last April, in Boston, the #2 Maryland Terrapins took on #1 Duke in the finals of the NCAA Women's Tournament. The Terps rallied from a 13-point deficit, took the Blue Devils to overtime on then-freshman Kristi Toliver's three-pointer at the end of regulation, then made two free throws with 35 seconds left in overtime to capture their first NCAA Women's Basketball crown. Final score: Maryland 78 Duke: 75.

For the first time that I'm aware of, major publications called the Lady Terrapins "cocksure" in describing their confidence and commanding presence in their victory. Was a new era in women's basketball born that day?

2007 marks the 25th Anniversary of the NCAA Women's Tournament. Could the Terps unveil a dynasty even more compelling and fearsome than that of notorious three-peaters Tennessee and UConn? And would engraved silver candlesticks make an appropriate gift if they do repeat?

As the 2006-07 women's basketball season gets underway, every major college poll--AP, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, CBS Sportsline.com, ESPN, etc., has made Maryland its top pick. At YourSportsFan.com, before we draw such a conclusion, let's look at the evidence that merits the ranking and the expectations:

* As of Sunday, the Terrapins are undefeated (they went 34-4 last season)
* The Terps are returning five of their starting players, including sophomores Toliver and Marissa Coleman, senior Shay Doron, and juniors Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper.
* Four of them have Wade Trophy nominations, and all but Harper are on the "Wade Watch" for 2007.

That's what I call a TALENTED Team!
* The presence of Sa'da Wiley-Gatewood, a transfer from Tennessee. Chronic knee tendonitis may limit her minutes, but pure speed will keep their game up-tempo.
* Christie Marrone, an outside shooter, transferred from Virginia Tech.
* The "X" factor: Their determined and indefatigable coach, Brenda Frese.

And the evidence against:

* The "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT" Factor: Complacency is an enemy of any team with a championship under its belt. Maryland must avoid the tendency to rest on their laurels.
* The REVENGE Factor: It's a sure bet that every team the Terps beat on their way to the top has studied the championship tapes for months. Duke coach Gail Goestenkors admitted to Sports Illustrated that "I got a bottle of wine, sat by myself, and watched it (game tape) the night I got home. It was medicine that didn't taste good, but it was necessary." Don't think the other top coaches--Pat Summitt of Tennessee or Geno Auriemma of UConn--haven't done the same, with or without the wine.
* The NEWNESS Factor: It's gone. Maryland is no longer an unfamiliar quantity to Division 1 schools, and they will be Public Enemy Number One throughout the season.
* The JORDAN Factor: With a team loaded with so much individual talent, Coach Frese must now be ready to become the NCAA Women's version of Phil Jackson, should the team forget how it got the championship in the first place, which was through TEAMWORK!

Who can beat Maryland? Here are five pedigreed schools who can catch the Terps any day of the week:

1) OKLAHOMA: Like Maryland, the Sooners are a young team, and they returned all five starters. Look for big contributions from Hakeem Olajuwan's daughter, freshman Abi, and freshman forward Amanda Thompson.

They will ably co-exist alongside electric sophomore Courtney Paris, who hopes to improve her 21.9 ppg and 15.0 rebound average. If they're hungry, they're going to be BIG trouble for Maryland. Coach Sherrie Coate, however, will need to keep the Sooners speedy if they want to win the BIG one.

2) NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels' goal this year is 115 possessions per game, according to Sports Illustrated. They have the best offense in the NCAA, along with best point guard (ACC Player of the year Ivory Latta, who avearged 18.4 ppg last year) and forwards Camille Little (11.7 ppg) and Erlana Larkins (13.8 ppg). They were 32-0 against the rest of the country last season, but just 1-2 against Maryland.

One problem...with so much offense, who'll play defense? The answer to this question could mean the difference between the Elite Eight and the Final Four.

3) STANFORD: They beat the Sooners in the Sweet 16 last year. No one who doubts the abilities of All-American junior guard Candace Wiggins, who led Stanford with 21.8 ppg and scored 30-plus five times last season. Wiggins and Brooke Smith are the most formidable inside/outside combination around this season. Jayne Appel, a freshman, says Coach Tara Vanderventer, "has great hands, great instinct, and the wingspan of a 7-footer," according to Sports Illustrated. Coach Vanderventer needs to work on team quickness if they want to go further than just winning the Pac-10.

4) TENNESSEE: NEVER count out the Lady Vols, especially when they have Candace Parker, CSTV's choice for National Player of the Year, who spent her summer vacation with USA Basketball at the World Championships. Coach Pat Summitt also added another point guard, transfer Shannon Bobbitt, who brings quickness. The Volunteers might not have all the aces, as in the past, but on any given day, Coach Summitt can take whatever talent she has and spin straw into gold. She likes nothing more than a challenge--which she'll have this year.

5) UCONN: Remember this name: TINA CHARLES. She is the nation's top recruit, and rightly so, because this 6'4" freshman has speed, low-post dominance, size, and speed. Charles, sophomore point guard Renee Montgomery, and junior shooting guard Mel Thomas are the triumvirate to beat in the game this year. Coach Geno Auriemma says he's really excited because for the first time since 1995, he hasn't a single palyer with Final Four experience. Yeah, sure. But watch...I'm taking Auriemma at his word.

THREE TEAMS TO WATCH:

1) ARIZONA STATE: For their freshman Dymond Simon, a point guard. At 5'3", let's hope she's another Spud Webb. This should be an interesting team, largely because of with 6'6" sophomore center Kirsten Thompson. Simon and Thompson will join senior Jill Noe, junior Reagan Pariseau, and sophomore Briann January.

2) DePAUL: Center Khara Smith is gone from their 2006 Sweet 16 team. But Coach Doug Bruno says that two All-Big Easters, senior guard Jenna Rubino and junior guard Allie Quigley, hold the keys to advancement this season. They will be aided ably by Erin Carney and "X"-factor Missy Mitiderio, along with freshmen Sam Quigley (Allie's sister), China Threatt, and 6'3" Felicia Chester. The Lady Demons play the Sooners in the regular season, and I'm looking for them to move up to the Elite Eight this year.

3) OHIO STATE: The Buckeyes return their center, two-time Big Ten Player of the Year Jessica Davenport (18.7 ppg), along with senior point guard Brandie Hoskins (12.3 ppg) and junior shooting guard Marscilla Parker. Ohio State should make the Big Ten an interesting place to watch women's basketball.

FINALLY, MY NATIONAL PICKS:

The Top Five:
1. OKLAHOMA
2. MARYLAND
3. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
4. UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
5. TENNESSEE