Coquese Washington knows that her team’s 2016-17 success hinges on development.
If her nine returning letter winners — 10 if 2014-15 contributor Sierra Moore is counted — can take a step forward, the Penn State women’s basketball team can return to competing in what Washington believes is one of the toughest conferences in the women’s game.
The Lady Lions were 12-19 overall last season, 6-12 in the Big Ten.
‘I think the Big Ten beats up on each other,” Washington told assembled reporters during her team’s Media Day sessions.
“Right now, Ohio State and Maryland lead the charge … but Michigan brings back most of its squad from an NCAA tourney team; Indiana brings back its starting five. Michigan State is going to be competitive again. We are in a conference where this is no ‘style’ in the Big Ten. Coaches play their own style. You have to be on your toes.’
Washington has made it a point to keep her charges on their toes on the defensive end. The Lady Lions gave up 76.1 points per game last season, 10th in the 14-team conference. That figure was surprisingly low for a team that also had the 10th-ranked defensive field goal percentage at .445.
“Defense has been a focus for us. There are a number of things to be a better defensive team. Having depth is one thing that will help us,” Washington said. “We can also make better decisions on the offensive end with more upper classmen.”
Washington is referring to the often-sloppy play from the Lions last year, which resulted in a woeful assist-to-turnover ratio — a well-accepted mark of efficiency — of 0.8, dead last in the Big Ten.
The myriad returnees will not be the only ones practicing new discipline. Washington is excited about the defensive abilities of incoming freshman Siyeh Frazier.
“Frazier is an incredible athlete. She is a defensive dynamo,” Washington said. “She’s also able to get to the basket and be explosive. I expect (Frazier and fellow freshman Jaida Travascio-Green) to be impact players for us this year. An immediate impact. “
As much as Washington praised the new additions, it is the sheer number of returnees that has many fans excited for a potential leap back into relevancy in Washington’s ninth season as a head coach, all with Penn State.
Returning sophomore Teniya Page had one of the finest freshman seasons in recent Big Ten memory. Her 15.9 points per game led the Lady Lions and ranked 18th in the conference. Her three-point shooting percentage — 45.8 percent — was good enough for third overall, and she tied for 11th in assists with 3.9 per contest.
Washington, like many, is bullish on Page.
“I have been really impressed with Page. I think she’s somebody that can be one of the best point guards in the country.”
Joining Page as headline returnees will be junior guard Lindsay Spann (13 points per game), senior forward Kaliyah Mitchell (9.5 ppg; 5.2 rebounds per game) and senior forward Peyton Whitted (9.3 ppg; 8.3 rpg).
PSU will be tasked with replacing second leading scorer Brianna Banks. Her 13.4 points per game will be made up by committee, Washington said.
“We’ll replace her production with new faces. Amari Carter is someone who can put some points on the board. I think our two freshman (Frazier and Green) have showed promise; I’d like to get a little bit more out of our post.
“We do not expect, and are not looking for, one person to replace Banks.”
Carter will be an interesting case study in the will of the student-athlete to return from injury. She played in one contest in her freshman season before injuring her knee. Carter’s path to this point has been star-crossed. At one point ranked as the seventh-best high school women’s players in the country, Carter had to fight back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that occurred during her junior year in high school.
As Washington wrapped up her Media Day remarks, the question on the lips of many fans of the women’s game was inevitably asked of her.
Asked if she feels the UConn dynasty — Connecticut has won the last four championships and six of the last eight — is a good thing for the game, Washington was adamant that it was.
‘Having a good team is never a bad thing,” Washington said. ‘In most sports leagues, there’s a dominant team. The Patriots in football. Duke is pretty good year in and year out. I’m not sure why the emphasis is always on UConn.
“They’ve had a great run. But if you pull back and look at the Sweet 16 last year, for example, there were so many great games and competitive games. I think our game is very competitive. Women’s basketball is as competitive as it ever has been. I don’t think where UConn is and their success is anything but good for the game.’
—
THE LADY LIONS REACH THE NCAA TOURNAMENT IF:
■ They can sneak in a few upsets during Big Ten play, both in the regular season and the Big Ten Tournament
■ Teniya Page finds another gear and improves on an already solid foundation
THE LIONS WILL NOT REACH THE NCAA TOURNAMENT IF:
■ They stumble out of the gate in Big Ten Play
■ Incoming freshman take more time to acclimate themselves than initially thought
KEY RETURNEES:
■ G Teniya Page (15.9 PPG; 3.9 APG)
■ F Peyton Whitted (9.3 PPG; 8.3 RPG)
X-FACTOR:
■ G Amari Carter (redshirt freshman)
KEY NON-CONFERENCE GAMES:
■ Sunday, Nov. 20, vs. (14) Tennessee
■ Saturday, Dec. 10, vs. Pittsburgh
KEY BIG TEN GAMES:
■ Wednesday, Jan. 11, at (5) Maryland
■ Wednesday, Feb. 1, at (6) Ohio State
