Temple University Athletics
Friday, November 13
McGonigle Hall
7:00 PM
Temple University
vs
Illinois
Women's Basketball Opens 2009-10 Season at Home on Friday vs. Illinois
11.11.09 | Women's Basketball
Owls looking to win eighth straight season opener at 7:00 p.m. in McGonigle Hall
Game Notes vs. Illinois (PDF)
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple women's basketball team begins the regular season at home with a non-conference match-up against Illinois on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in McGonigle Hall. Fans unable to attend can subscribe to see a live webstream of the contest through OwlAccess on OwlSports.com.
The Cherry and White return three starters from a team that finished 21-10 last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament First Round; the Owls' sixth straight appearance in the tournament.
Senior LaKeisha Eaddy is TU's top returner, averaging 11.4 ppg and 5.5 apg last season. Eaddy, an Atlantic 10 Second Team selection last year, has been named to the Preseason All-A-10 second team, while sophomore teammate Kristen McCarthy garnered preseason third team honors.
Temple is making a return to McGonigle Hall for seven of its 14 home games this season. The Owls used McGonigle Hall as their primary facility from 1974-1997, and last played a game there against Xavier in 2007 which TU won, 59-58.
Scouting Illinois
Illinois finished with a 10-21 record last season, but returns all five starters to a veteran squad. Senior center Jenna Smith was selected to both preseason All-Big Ten teams, while the Fighting Illini were picked to finish sixth by both a panel of media members and by the league's coaches.
Now entering her third season as head coach, Jolette Law and the Fighting Illini are looking to pick up where they left off at the end of last season, finishing strong after a slow start. Led by All-Big Ten senior Lacey Simpson, and Smith, a former All-American and two-time first team All-Big Ten selection who averaged 18.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, the Illini are looking to return the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003.
Illinois played an exhibition against Lewis University on Nov. 8 and cruised to a 75-40 win.
Continually Underestimated
In 2007-08, Temple was picked to finish fourth in the A-10, and instead earned a share of the regular season title. In 2008-09, the Owls were once again picked fourth, and finished in a tie for second. Temple is looking to be an underestimated team yet again after being picked fifth in this year's preseason poll.
National Poll Recognition
Although Temple is picked fifth in the A-10 Preseason poll, the Owls are second among conference teams in both national polls. In the AP Top 25, Xavier is ranked 11th and Temple is receiving one vote. In the ESPN/USA Today Poll, Xavier is 15th with Temple receiving two votes. Charlotte is the only other A-10 team recognized in either poll, earning one vote in the ESPN/USA Today Poll.
Let's Get it Started
Temple is 19-12 in season openers since the 1979-80 season, and has won seven straight dating back to 2002.
Earning Respect
Senior LaKeisha Eaddy has earned preseason honors for the second straight year, garnering A-10 Preseason All-Conference second team recognition. Eaddy was an All-Conference second team pick last season after averaging 11.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Sophomore Kristen McCarthy also earned preseason recognition as she was named to the A-10 Preseason third team. McCarthy earned A-10 All-Rookie Team honors last year, averaging 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Makes a Great Dish
LaKeisha Eaddy will very likely become the second all-time leader in career assists before long this season, as she currently stands in fourth with 375 assists, and needs only 24 to take over second place.
Where There's a Will...
The newest addition to the Temple coaching staff is Willnett Crockett, a 2006 UConn graduate who played for then-assistant coach Tonya Cardoza. The coaching stint is the first for Crockett, who has been playing professionally both in the WNBA and overseas since graduating.
To Be The Best, You Gotta Play the Best
Temple will once again face tough competition in non-conference play, competing against six 2009 NCAA Tournament participants, including three that are ranked in the Top 25. The most notable of those is a New Year's Eve contest against #6 Duke. Temple will face #15 Florida State and #25 Rutgers on the road.
A-10 opponent Xavier is sitting at #11 in the preseason AP Poll, and will be Temple's first conference opponent on Jan. 10 in a nationally-televised contest on ESPN2.
Looking Ahead
Next up on the schedule for Temple is a home contest against Auburn on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Although the Tigers were ranked 13th at the end of last season, they are now only receiving votes after losing leading scorer and All-American DeWanna Bonner.
National Exposure
Two games on Temple's schedule will be broadcast on national television. The Owls will play host to Villanova in a Big 5 matchup on Sunday, Dec. 20, in a contest that will air live on CBS College Sports.
When Temple travels to defending A-10 regular season champ Xavier, the game will be televised on ESPN2. That contest is set for Sunday, Jan. 10 at 3:00 p.m.
Among the Nation's Leaders
Temple finished last year ranked in the top 30 in the NCAA in field goal percentage defense and assists. The Owls were 18th in field goal percentage defense (35.9) and 28th in assists (15.3 per game).
Taking it Away
Senior LaKeisha Eaddy ranked 21st in the nation with 2.8 steals per game last season, and is currently ninth on the all-time career steals list at Temple with 181. She needs only seven to take over the eighth spot.
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple women's basketball team begins the regular season at home with a non-conference match-up against Illinois on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in McGonigle Hall. Fans unable to attend can subscribe to see a live webstream of the contest through OwlAccess on OwlSports.com.
The Cherry and White return three starters from a team that finished 21-10 last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament First Round; the Owls' sixth straight appearance in the tournament.
Senior LaKeisha Eaddy is TU's top returner, averaging 11.4 ppg and 5.5 apg last season. Eaddy, an Atlantic 10 Second Team selection last year, has been named to the Preseason All-A-10 second team, while sophomore teammate Kristen McCarthy garnered preseason third team honors.
Temple is making a return to McGonigle Hall for seven of its 14 home games this season. The Owls used McGonigle Hall as their primary facility from 1974-1997, and last played a game there against Xavier in 2007 which TU won, 59-58.
Scouting Illinois
Illinois finished with a 10-21 record last season, but returns all five starters to a veteran squad. Senior center Jenna Smith was selected to both preseason All-Big Ten teams, while the Fighting Illini were picked to finish sixth by both a panel of media members and by the league's coaches.
Now entering her third season as head coach, Jolette Law and the Fighting Illini are looking to pick up where they left off at the end of last season, finishing strong after a slow start. Led by All-Big Ten senior Lacey Simpson, and Smith, a former All-American and two-time first team All-Big Ten selection who averaged 18.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, the Illini are looking to return the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003.
Illinois played an exhibition against Lewis University on Nov. 8 and cruised to a 75-40 win.
Continually Underestimated
In 2007-08, Temple was picked to finish fourth in the A-10, and instead earned a share of the regular season title. In 2008-09, the Owls were once again picked fourth, and finished in a tie for second. Temple is looking to be an underestimated team yet again after being picked fifth in this year's preseason poll.
National Poll Recognition
Although Temple is picked fifth in the A-10 Preseason poll, the Owls are second among conference teams in both national polls. In the AP Top 25, Xavier is ranked 11th and Temple is receiving one vote. In the ESPN/USA Today Poll, Xavier is 15th with Temple receiving two votes. Charlotte is the only other A-10 team recognized in either poll, earning one vote in the ESPN/USA Today Poll.
Let's Get it Started
Temple is 19-12 in season openers since the 1979-80 season, and has won seven straight dating back to 2002.
Earning Respect
Senior LaKeisha Eaddy has earned preseason honors for the second straight year, garnering A-10 Preseason All-Conference second team recognition. Eaddy was an All-Conference second team pick last season after averaging 11.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Sophomore Kristen McCarthy also earned preseason recognition as she was named to the A-10 Preseason third team. McCarthy earned A-10 All-Rookie Team honors last year, averaging 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Makes a Great Dish
LaKeisha Eaddy will very likely become the second all-time leader in career assists before long this season, as she currently stands in fourth with 375 assists, and needs only 24 to take over second place.
Where There's a Will...
The newest addition to the Temple coaching staff is Willnett Crockett, a 2006 UConn graduate who played for then-assistant coach Tonya Cardoza. The coaching stint is the first for Crockett, who has been playing professionally both in the WNBA and overseas since graduating.
To Be The Best, You Gotta Play the Best
Temple will once again face tough competition in non-conference play, competing against six 2009 NCAA Tournament participants, including three that are ranked in the Top 25. The most notable of those is a New Year's Eve contest against #6 Duke. Temple will face #15 Florida State and #25 Rutgers on the road.
A-10 opponent Xavier is sitting at #11 in the preseason AP Poll, and will be Temple's first conference opponent on Jan. 10 in a nationally-televised contest on ESPN2.
Looking Ahead
Next up on the schedule for Temple is a home contest against Auburn on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Although the Tigers were ranked 13th at the end of last season, they are now only receiving votes after losing leading scorer and All-American DeWanna Bonner.
National Exposure
Two games on Temple's schedule will be broadcast on national television. The Owls will play host to Villanova in a Big 5 matchup on Sunday, Dec. 20, in a contest that will air live on CBS College Sports.
When Temple travels to defending A-10 regular season champ Xavier, the game will be televised on ESPN2. That contest is set for Sunday, Jan. 10 at 3:00 p.m.
Among the Nation's Leaders
Temple finished last year ranked in the top 30 in the NCAA in field goal percentage defense and assists. The Owls were 18th in field goal percentage defense (35.9) and 28th in assists (15.3 per game).
Taking it Away
Senior LaKeisha Eaddy ranked 21st in the nation with 2.8 steals per game last season, and is currently ninth on the all-time career steals list at Temple with 181. She needs only seven to take over the eighth spot.
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