2003 UB Women's Basketball Preview

After doubling their win total from nine to eighteen in the 2002-03 season, and making it into the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, this year's UB women's basketball team has a lot to live up to.

"They've all worked extremely hard and we're cautiously optimistic about this year because I think we have a lot of talent on this team," said UB head coach Cheryl Dozier.

Defense is a team's best offense and this year Dozier's team will live and die on exactly that.

"If our defense can be played at a high level then we're going to be able to get up and down the floor in transition offensively because our defense will feed into that," said Dozier. "Our defense will spark that for us."

That will be this year's main focal point, as the team will look to be a little more patient on the offensive side of the ball when the team gets into their set offense.

"With a young group last year there were times when we looked to pass and shoot the ball quick into our offense and we're really trying to be a little more patient this year and make teams play defense against us," said Dozier.

That young group from last year, which went 18-11, is more mature and has a full year under their belts in what should be a very exciting year for UB basketball. Led by Seniors Jessica Kochendorfer and Kim Kilpela, the team will be looking to make strides in the post where as in the past the team has been more of a perimeter offense.

"Our two seniors in the post, I think those young ladies can bang with anyone in the conference," said Dozier.

Kochendorfer, who was named to this year's All-MAC preseason team, was second on the team in scoring with 12 points a game, and led the team in rebounds with 7.2 boards a game.

Kilpela was second on the team in rebounds with averaging 4.9 boards a game and also ranked third with 8.5 points per game.

This tandem should give the Bulls that must needed inside presence the team lacked en route to bowing out to Ball State in the MAC tournament quarterfinals.

"We're hoping to have a low post presence this year as far as Jessica and Kim and really asking both of those two to increase their scoring output as well as rebounding the basketball," said Dozier

"For (Kochendorfer) and Kim this is their senior year," continued Dozier. "There's no more time after this year and I think both of them are in the mind frame that they're going to come in and step up to the role and dominate in the post for us."

On the perimeter the Bulls will have two familiar faces as freshman phenom Hollie Cook returns as a sophomore and will take the responsibility of bringing the ball up the court for the Bulls while junior Allison Bennett will be starting at the two guard spot.

Cook, who many thought got snubbed on the MAC rookie squad, will look to top her successful rookie campaign and not fall victim to the ever so popular sophomore slump.

"I felt that Hollie was one of the best freshman in the conference last year and I think she proved it by her play and now this time she's got to come out this year and make sure there is no sophomore slump," said Dozier.

So what exactly did Cook do to garner some sort of MAC recognition for her play?

She was only 21st in the nation and first in the MAC in assists, and her UB mark of 175 assists last year were just 11 shy of the UB record. Cook was also fourth in the MAC in steals, averaging 2.66 a game.

In the backcourt with her is two-year starter Bennett. Bennett, who was named the team's Most Improved Player, will be looked upon by Dozier as another outlet for scoring as she is a very consistent shooter who needs to get more looks at the basket.

"Allison has come back in tremendous shape," said Dozier. "She's a kid who basically started her entire career here and I expect her to step up offensively a little bit more than she has in the past."

Brooke Meunier will be seeing a lot of action as well this year, as she saw significant time off the bench last year and contributed to the team effectively.

"I think Brooke is very versatile. I think she can score outside as well as post guards up and score inside," said Dozier.

Erin Lawrenson will return to the court this season and is deadly from downtown. She sank 27 3-pointers in limited time off the bench due to nagging foot injuries.

Buffalo will need all the scoring they can get as they try to replace the heart and soul of last year's team, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe. According to Dozier it's going to be a team effort rather than an individual effort in replacing the prolific McMeeken-Ruscoe.

For the team to live up to their expectations they'll need to stay healthy as it always seems that injuries plague what would be a great year for some teams.

"I think we have high expectations but like any year you've got to have a little lady luck on your side as far as staying healthy this year," said Dozier.

With all the preseason awards put aside, last year's accomplishments and losses as well as players being "snubbed" from post-season awards, respect is the only thing that matters to Dozier and the Bulls.

"If you win as a team then the respect for all the other things will fall right into line," said Dozier.

UB tips off at 6 p.m. on Friday in Alumni Arena as part of a men's and women's double header against the local rival Canisius Golden Griffins.