McFarland looks to lead team again
The room was crowded and the mood was fierce as CU women’s basketball Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller and key members of her squad met with the media Thursday. Nothing showed quite as much as the team’s enthusiasm and excitement.
“This is a really exciting time for this program, the most excited I’ve been in the three years I have been here,” McConnell-Miller said. “Anytime you take over a program you want it to progress as quickly and efficiently as possible. I think the biggest difference this year was the preparation of the team in the offseason.”
One of the main things that the squad has been working on is its perimeter shooting. Last season, the team had mostly an up-front offense, yet now their field-goal shooting has more depth. Since perimeter offense is stronger, the team is working to improve their guard play.
“There is no doubt that the strength of this team is the front line, when you have Jackie (McFarland), Kara (Richards) and Aija (Putnina), you have strength down low as well as offensive and defensive ability, not to mention their experience,” McConnell-Miller said. It’s hard to keep any of them off the floor. The guard play should be improved; last year was the first for Susie (Powers), Whitney Houston and Bianca Smith, but they all have a year of experience in the system right now.”
“We need them to take care of the basketball and not turn it over. We will play five players who can score this year.”
The team still needs to compete in what is arguably the toughest conference for women’s basketball in the NCAA, the Big 12. Colorado finished 6-10 last year in conference match-ups and 13-17 overall. McConnell-Miller is intrigued with the team’s schedule this year, though.
“The only thing that isn’t ideal is that we start out on the road after our exhibition game with (Colorado School of) Mines. We love our tourney and it is going to pose a good challenge for us. I like that everything is within our control and fits the strengths of our team,” McConnell-Miller said.
Forward Jackie McFarland has been very eager for the season to begin, and along with McConnell-Miller, she is very confident in the offense’s new strength.
“One of the biggest things is that there is always movement,” McFarland said. “We are not waiting on something to happen like last year. With this new offense, we have to move the entire time.”
“When our opponent scouts us, they take away part of our offense, but there are three more reads we can make instead of just having to start over and run another option that is also on the scouting report.”
Nothing has been as motivating for the squad other than their surprisingly low preseason ranking. The girls are definitely looking to prove their skills.
“When you look around the conference, what we lost last year compared to what other teams lost, and what we brought in compared to what other teams brought in, I feel that we have a little extra motivation,” McFarland said. “I like being an underdog, and it is always exciting to have a number three team come in here, it is just a little added motivation.”
A key improvement made from this past season was bigger depth and understanding of all the positions. Guard Susie Powers has definitely been learning about the different aspects of each position.
“I need to know other positions as well, and as a taller guard, I am in a position where I might end up in the post and have the opportunity to post up a smaller player, and that works to my benefit,” Powers said.
Forward Aija Putnina had an interesting summer, which she said has improved her skills immeasurably.
“This summer, I went overseas and played as a guard and a post player. I think it helped me a lot because I got to play against some really good teams, and it was a great experience. I also learned some new things about the sport of basketball,” Putnina said.
While the team probably has a lot of pressure to do well this season after last year’s performance, no other player receives quite as much pressure as McFarland, who was named to the All-Big 12 team.
With a combination of hard work and a little inspiration from the Colorado Rockies, anything is possible.
“Someone said the Rockies were picked second to last, and now they are playing for a world championship, so rankings do not matter,” McFarland said. “We are just focusing on getting better.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Justin Sedgwick at justin.sedgwick@thecampuspress.com.
