A new era in Boston University women’s basketball will officially get underway Friday afternoon, when the team officially begins its 2014-15 campaign at Northeastern University.
New BU coach Katy Steding said in its first matchup, her team is concentrated on continuing to improve its own play, rather than focusing on the history between the two traditional rivals. Both teams have brand new coaching staffs, as Kelly Cole will lead the Huskies this year after two years as an assistant coach at Harvard University and nine seasons at Boston College.
“We’ve been trying to take it very generally, keeping the focus on us,” Steding said. “We have conjecture and have prepped for their personnel. We’ve just tried to keep the focus on us and what we do.”
In their last meeting on Nov. 8, 2013, Northeastern defeated BU 73-62, as Northeastern’s A’lece Mark scored a season-high 28 points. The Terriers could have their hands full again with the senior guard, who averaged 15 points per game last season and provided scoring from many areas of the floor.
“She’s a very prolific scorer and great shooter,” Steding said about Mark. “And she’s just super quick. We need to limit her touches as much as possible with our defense… I think everyone will get a little time on her at one point or another.”
With five players standing over six feet, Northeastern will also challenge BU’s post players in senior forward Mollie McKendrick, sophomore forward Meghan Green and freshman forwards Erin Bayram and Kara Sheftic.
Northeastern goes into the 2014-15 season with 11 returning players while BU has only six, but co-captains McKendrick and sophomore guard Courtney Latham, who each added four points last year against the Huskies, will hope to lead their young team to its first win of the season.
When asked about areas of focus in preparation for Northeastern, Steding reiterated that her team must continue to run the floor and earn baskets in transition.
“It’s us focusing on our transition game and executing the style of play,” Steding said. “We want to really control at every possession. Run fast, and get layups and threes. The complicated stuff happens in this office, but out on the court, it needs to feel clean and simple.”
Steding added that BU must take care of the ball properly, execute on offense and defense and stop Northeastern’s transition game.
“We want to make sure we also limit the up and down chances that they get, take away any early transition looks and try to adjust whatever they’re doing offensively,” she said.
As new eras of basketball begin for both BU and Northeastern, Steding said she wants her team to begin the season on a positive note that it can take pride in.
“The biggest thing for me is that they compete all the time,” she said. “You have to realize everybody is watching every move you make. If you’re not projecting something you’d be proud of, then it’s time to project something else.”
I transferred to BU after playing a year of college hoops at Wesleyan University. Previous experience includes interning at the 7NBC-Boston (WHDH-TV) sports desk. I'm excited to cover women's soccer this fall for the Daily Free Press. Follow me here: @kfin2bu
