Women's Basketball Picked Third By WAC Coaches
10/13/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Rice is coming off a 20-12 season in which it finished third in the WAC Mountain Division with a 9-5 mark. Last season, the Lady Owls advanced to the WAC tounrament semifinals before earning a berth in their second-straight WNIT. Senior Marla Brumfield will lead the charge in the 1999-2000 campaign, having paced her team with 14.5 points per game a year ago.
Hawaii is predicted to win the WAC crown this year, receiving 45 points and five first-place votes from the league coaches. Rainbow Wahine coach Vince Goo returns 10 letterwinners and four starters from last year's squad, which tied for third in the WAC Pacific Division with a 9-5 conference mark, 17-10 overall.
SMU was a close second to Hawaii in the poll, receiving 43 points and two first place votes. The Mustangs finished second in the Mountain Division during the regular season with a 11-3 record, 20-11 overall, and claimed the 1999 WAC tournament title.
The Lady Owls begin practice on Saturday at 9 am. Rice opens the 1999-2000 season on Nov. 19, hosting Illinois State at 6 pm at Autry Court.
1999 WAC Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
Team Points 1. Hawaii (5) 45 2. SMU (2) 43 3. Rice Owls 38 4. TCU (1) 33 5. Fresno State 22 6. UTEP 19 7. Tulsa 17 8. San Jose State 7