The Boston University women’s basketball team will begin its Patriot League tournament play on the road against American University on Monday evening.
This season marks BU’s (13-16, 11-7 Patriot League) first appearance in the Patriot League tournament quarterfinals since BU head coach Katy Steding joined the staff in 2014.
“I’m really happy for the girls,” Steding said. “I’m proud of the team, but I’m happy for the girls, especially for seniors [forward] Meghan [Green] and [guards] Courtney [Latham], and Sarah [Hope], who have been through a lot of their adversaries through their four years here.”
In Steding’s first two seasons, the Terriers finished last in both years. However, BU has made a dramatic turnaround this season to finish fifth in the conference.
Although the lack of playoff experience can often hurt a team, Steding was confident in her players.
“I think they’re probably as ready as anybody else,” she said. “I really do feel like what we may lack in experience in making it this far with this group of kids is more than made up for by their courage, their tenacity, their hunger to continue to do better.”
Steding’s confidence is derived from her trust in her players, three of whom received All-Patriot League honors.
Freshman forward Nia Irving made the All-Rookie team, while Hope earned a spot on the All-Patriot League Second Team. Junior center Sophie Beaudry dominated on both ends this season, finding a spot on both the All-Patriot League First Team and the All-Defensive Team.
Despite its stars, BU’s focus is on the team’s ability to play as a unit.
“We’re always dependent on somebody coming off the bench to really get it done for us,” Steding said. “We’re a deep team. We do have some standout players obviously, with some accolades behind them, but we’re only as good as the strength of our whole team.”
In the quarterfinals, the Terriers will face the Eagles (14-15, 11-7 Patriot League), who beat them in the first round during last year’s tournament.
“One of the things I worry about with American is they’re just really tough,” Steding said. “No matter what the situation, no matter who they’re playing, they’re just relentless and physical.”
In order to compete against the Eagles, the Terriers must not get too fixated on their opponents, but rather focus on playing their own game.
“We just try to stay as true to us as we possibly can,” Steding said. “Go out and make sure we’re trying to rebound as well as we can, and take care of the things that we know are going to help us win the game.”
Asked if there was a particular player she was worried about, Steding compared American to her own team.
“I would say yes, but they have a bunch,” she said. “I think one of the reasons that we’re both where we’re at [and] we’re very similar teams. It’s different people and different positions, but I think it still comes down to the same thing as they’re a better unit than they are as separate players.”
However, American will give the Terriers plenty of star power on Monday. Forward Cecily Carl is an All-Patriot League Third Team honoree, while guard Emily Kinneston joined Hope on the Second Team and Beaudry on the All-Defensive Team.
Having compared the two teams’ similarities, Steding was sure to note that Monday’s game will be a close match.
“I think it’ll be very competitive, and it’ll probably come down to the wire,” she said.
With their eyes fixed on the finish line, the Terriers will look to beat the Eagles on Monday night and advance to the semifinals.
“They’re seeking the ultimate prize,” Steding said of her team. “They want a championship.”
