1999 Preview 

Players lost:

Players returning: 

Additions:

The version of the Badgers have all five starters returning from the team that finished second in the post-season WNIT tournament.  To this mix, they add the consensus choice as the nation's top recruit.

The 98 team made significant progress on the court as the season progressed.  The 99 teams is expected to continue that progress.  There is both room for improvement and reaso to believe the improvement will come.

Wisconsin looks to have one of the more potent offensive teams in the league.  Sims is the leading returning scorer in the conference.  Stomski, Moore, Paulus and N Smith are all potential double figure scorers.  This is a team that could average 80 points a game. 

And they may have to.  Wisconsin has not been a good defensive team in the past, although they were decent by the end of the 98 season.  Although they have become a little more athletic, the Badgers are one of the slowest teams in the league.  That translates to a relatively weak defensive team.  

Although Wisconsin is not athletic, they are about the biggest team around. They will need to use this size to dominate on the boards.  Badger teams have not always worked hard enough or been fundamentally sound enough to use their size to its best effect.

If the Badger offense is to function most efficiently, they will need better play from their point guards.  This has been a major weakness since Keisha Anderson graduated.  While the team has scored well in the past, they have turned the ball over too much and relied on the players' individual one-on-one skills.  

The Badgers are the one team in the conference that has quality depth.  They have the talent to go 8 or 9 deep and have quality back-ups at every position.

As the talent level increases and as the talented players mature, Wisconsin needs to improve its mental approach to the game.  They have not had the mental toughness to play well away from Madison.  The non-conference schedule is loaded with road games so they should get practice at this.  The lack of mental disclipline has also contributed to lax defense, unforced turnovers and weak rebounding efforts.  The players who have come into the program in the past few years appear to be stronger mentally and should lift the team.

In many ways, Wisconsin begins a two year season in 1999.  The core of the team will be Sims, Stomski, Moore and N Smith.  They have realistic hopes of a championship season in 2000-01.  If things fall right, they could make a run this year.

By position:

  Point guard:  The weakest spot on the team.  Pate improved over the season last year, but she is average at best.  She is not a good shooter or passer and her decision making is shaky at times.  Candas Smith was involved in a serious car accident in late August.  If she recovers in time, she may give Pate a fight for the position.  Paulus, Moore, Black, and Sims will all probably get minutes at the spot, as Wisconsin plays point guard by committee.

  Swing players:  Sims will move to small forward or shooting guard this year.  That will give Wisconsin a threesome of Sims, Moore and Paulus at these spots.  At 6'3, Sims will provide match-up nightmares with her ability to drive and pull up.  If she improves her jump shot, she could be unstoppable.  Moore is the Badgers top defender and she brings an intensity and heart to the team that is badly needed.  Paulus did not have a good junior year.  At her best, she is a potent jump shooter and a well rounded player.  At her worst, she can look like she is in a fog.  

  Post players:  Nina is 6'4 and Stomski is 6'3.  Both are well-built, have excellent hands and surprisingly soft shots.  They should physically overpower most post players in the league.  Stomski was prone to foul trouble as a freshman and Smith will likely run into the freshman share of fouls.  Both move well for their size, but both will be slower than most opposing post players.  They need to stay on the court and Stomski needs to work consistently hard on the boards.  If they do, they should be the top post duo in the conference for the next three years.

  Bench:  This is a real strength.  If Pate holds her starting job, either Paulus or Moore should be the top sixth player in the league.  Konieczny is one of the top post back-ups and Black could start for other teams in the Big 10.  Bird, Hefte and Seeger will be role players who may contribute.

Strengths:  Offense, Size, Depth

Weaknesses:  Point guard, lack of athleticism, mental toughness

Key games:  Jan 4 Illinois, Jan 9 @Michigan State, Feb 6 Penn State

Key player:  Nina Smith.  It is assumed that she will have an excellent freshman year.  She needs to do that.  She spent the summer in Madison working on her conditioning and playing with her new teammates.  If she exceeds expectations, which is possible, she could raise this team to levels never seen before.

Question Badger fans are asking:  Can't anyone here play point guard?

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