Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWBB | WNBA hopefuls christen Hillsman's career at Syracuse in 1st exhibition
By Zach Schonbrun
Posted: 11/2/06, 9:42 PM EST Section: Sports
Sipaviciute talked about building team chemistry as a byproduct of playing these preseason games, something Syracuse lacked in many forms last year. With a new, up-tempo style of run-and-gun offense Hillsman implemented for this season, chemistry will be a heavily-scrutinized necessity for success.
Point guard Cintia Johnson said she looks forward to getting on the floor and running the transition game against a formidable opponent.
"Our game plan is to run every play thoroughly and all the way through," Johnson said. "We want to just get off in transition and score in transition."
With a full-court offensive press like Syracuse's, conditioning will also be an important factor and tonight's exhibition will be a chance to see how well SU can physically move on the court for 40 minutes. Johnson believes the team is already in better shape than last year thanks to heavy training in practice.
Two heralded newcomers will make their debuts tonight - junior college transfer Fantasia Goodwin and freshman Nicole Michael. Goodwin led the nation in scoring in back-to-back seasons, averaging 28.1 and 26.1 points, respectively, for Monroe (N.Y.) College. Michael was the No. 50 recruit out of Notre Dame (Mass.) Prep, where she averaged 25.3 points and 13.2 rebounds her senior season.
But the most watched debut will be on the sidelines.
If things go by plan, Hillsman will watch his team compete aggressively and play competitively - never mind that it's just an exhibition.
"More than anything I'm going to be looking for people competing," he said. "For us that will be the most important thing, just our effort. So I'm looking for people just to compete and play hard."
Four returners out
Syracuse will dress only nine players, including two walk-ons, for Friday's exhibition against Team Adidas. Seniors Ashley McMillen and Tracy Harbut, and sophomores Brittany Smith and Sara Antolick are all out with injuries.
Point guard Cintia Johnson said she looks forward to getting on the floor and running the transition game against a formidable opponent.
"Our game plan is to run every play thoroughly and all the way through," Johnson said. "We want to just get off in transition and score in transition."
With a full-court offensive press like Syracuse's, conditioning will also be an important factor and tonight's exhibition will be a chance to see how well SU can physically move on the court for 40 minutes. Johnson believes the team is already in better shape than last year thanks to heavy training in practice.
Two heralded newcomers will make their debuts tonight - junior college transfer Fantasia Goodwin and freshman Nicole Michael. Goodwin led the nation in scoring in back-to-back seasons, averaging 28.1 and 26.1 points, respectively, for Monroe (N.Y.) College. Michael was the No. 50 recruit out of Notre Dame (Mass.) Prep, where she averaged 25.3 points and 13.2 rebounds her senior season.
But the most watched debut will be on the sidelines.
If things go by plan, Hillsman will watch his team compete aggressively and play competitively - never mind that it's just an exhibition.
"More than anything I'm going to be looking for people competing," he said. "For us that will be the most important thing, just our effort. So I'm looking for people just to compete and play hard."
Four returners out
Syracuse will dress only nine players, including two walk-ons, for Friday's exhibition against Team Adidas. Seniors Ashley McMillen and Tracy Harbut, and sophomores Brittany Smith and Sara Antolick are all out with injuries.
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