Quick Facts: 2009-10 Record: 13-17 (7-9 America East)
Letterwinners Returning: 7
Starters Returning: 4
Newcomers: 5
Head Coach: Phil Stern (9th Season)/ 187-216 career record
Over the past couple of seasons, the UMBC women's basketball
team has been a consistent challenger for a spot in the upper-half of the
America East conference. However, head coach Phil Stern and his coaching staff
have yet to get the program back to the NCAA Tournament following the
incredible run in 2006-07 that saw the Retrievers win the America East
tournament as the #6 seed. With four starters and six upperclassmen on the
roster in 2009-10, this will be an experienced group that should make significant
improvements on the 13-17 (7-9 America East) record from last season.
Even with so much experience returning this season, it will
not be an easy task to replace Carlee Cassidy. Cassidy, who was named to the
America East All-Conference Second Team last season, gave the Retrievers a
go-to scorer that had the ability to fill the stat sheet every night. While one
player probably isn't capable of replicating the impact Cassidy had on the program,
Stern believes that junior guard Michelle Kurowski is capable of a breakout
season.
"Michelle Kurowski, through her freshman and sophomore year,
was one of the top scorers in the America East," explained Stern. "She is
someone that we can always go to when we needed a big basket, whether it was
getting to the basket, or shooting a three, or getting to the foul line. She
does a great job rebounding and does a great job on the defensive end so we are
hoping she will step right into that role."
After sitting out last season due to the NCAA transfer
rules, sophomore guard Kristin Coles is expected to see significant minutes
this season. Coles, who transferred from American University, is a strong guard
that can both score and rebound from the perimeter.
"Kris Coles, who sat out last year due to the transfer rule,
will come in and make an immediate impact at the guard spot," Stern said.
With so much of the experience returning being in the
frontcourt, Stern expects his team to play different than in previous seasons.
There will be a determined focus to getting the ball in the paint and not
relying so much on jumpers from the perimeter.
"We are going to play a lot differently this year," the
ninth-year head coach revealed. "For the first time ever we are going to
concentrate on pounding the ball inside, with the three-point line being a secondary
option for us."
This change in philosophy will give players who have
previously spent a majority of their career doing the dirty work in the paint
and an opportunity to demonstrate their skill around the rim on the offensive
end of the court.
"Topé Obajolu, Meghan Colabella and Erin Brown, I think are
going to get a lot of touches in the post," said Stern. "People will see their
talents this year as well."
Given the amount of youth and uncertainty that exists in the
America East this season, there is no reason why this experienced and talented
Retrievers team can't compete for a spot in the upper-half of the conference.
If the transition to a more interior-oriented offense can go smoothly, and
Kurowski can fill the void in production left by the graduation of Cassidy, then
UMBC should be able to challenge for an America East championship.