The Daily OrangeAngel in the frontcourt: Louisville sophomore Angel McCoughtry went from role player to conference leader
By Reed Buterbaugh
Posted: 2/7/07, 10:09 PM EST Section: Sports
It wasn't always so easy for Angel McCoughtry. Last season the thought of leading the Big East in scoring was almost a pipe dream; she was just trying to stay on the court.
McCoughtry and the Louisville women's basketball team play host to the Orange Saturday at 7 p.m. The Cardinals are ranked 17th in the nation with a 21-2 record on the season. Credit the team success to McCoughtry, a dynamic player that blends speed and size.
"I think the freedom she's experiencing is more related to the fact we put her on the floor and let her play through mistakes more than I did last year," head coach Tom Collen said. "She's becoming a little bit better at understanding what we want her to do."
Collen gave McCoughtry a short leash as a freshman, and the young forward struggled at times.
"Last year was real tough for me, coming from high school," McCoughtry said. "I was kind of weak last year. I had to work on my basketball IQ. Last year I got the experience towards the end of the season and started to play more off the bench."
The Louisville coaching staff knew it had something special on its hands when McCoughtry arrived on campus last year. But potential is a double-edged sword - as vast and great as her talents could be, last season was difficult for McCoughtry as she tried to find a balance between how she wanted to play and her role on the team.
Louisville this year doesn't resemble last season's squad. The team runs more, music to the ears of McCoughtry who plays maestro to a Louisville offensive symphony that is second in the conference in scoring.
"This year, I get to do a lot more things and I have a lot more freedom," McCoughtry said. "(Coach) gives me the opportunity to run this year as opposed to last year. So I get to go out on the break more. I get to do a lot of things he would have sat me for that last year."
The increased playing time has lead to increased production, something that is being recognized nationally. McCoughtry has been named to the Wooden midseason list, cementing her as one of the top 20 players in women's college basketball.
McCoughtry and the Louisville women's basketball team play host to the Orange Saturday at 7 p.m. The Cardinals are ranked 17th in the nation with a 21-2 record on the season. Credit the team success to McCoughtry, a dynamic player that blends speed and size.
"I think the freedom she's experiencing is more related to the fact we put her on the floor and let her play through mistakes more than I did last year," head coach Tom Collen said. "She's becoming a little bit better at understanding what we want her to do."
Collen gave McCoughtry a short leash as a freshman, and the young forward struggled at times.
"Last year was real tough for me, coming from high school," McCoughtry said. "I was kind of weak last year. I had to work on my basketball IQ. Last year I got the experience towards the end of the season and started to play more off the bench."
The Louisville coaching staff knew it had something special on its hands when McCoughtry arrived on campus last year. But potential is a double-edged sword - as vast and great as her talents could be, last season was difficult for McCoughtry as she tried to find a balance between how she wanted to play and her role on the team.
Louisville this year doesn't resemble last season's squad. The team runs more, music to the ears of McCoughtry who plays maestro to a Louisville offensive symphony that is second in the conference in scoring.
"This year, I get to do a lot more things and I have a lot more freedom," McCoughtry said. "(Coach) gives me the opportunity to run this year as opposed to last year. So I get to go out on the break more. I get to do a lot of things he would have sat me for that last year."
The increased playing time has lead to increased production, something that is being recognized nationally. McCoughtry has been named to the Wooden midseason list, cementing her as one of the top 20 players in women's college basketball.
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