Mountain West Era Begins A New Chapter
The 2011-12 season marks the opening of a new chapter for Boise State who has moved into the Mountain West ending a 10 year affiliation with the Western Athletic Conference. The Broncos are now in a league with seven unfamiliar faces as they join the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado State University, San Diego State University, TCU, University of New Mexico, University of Wyoming and UNLV as members of the MW. The change will pose a new challenge for Boise State as the league adds more height and physicalness top to bottom than the Broncos have faced previously. They will have something to prove to their new rivals as Boise State was picked eighth in the Mountain West preseason poll. Fortunately, the Broncos have alot of experience on their roster as they prepare to face their newest challenge heading into a new league with unfamiliar teams and arenas.
What’s Back for 2011-12
Boise State will open the new campaign with seven returning letterwinners including four starters from last year’s 12-19 squad. Among those back are three of the top-four scorers, including the top-two, from a year ago that accounted for 47 percent of the team’s offensive output. While the coaches lost four players from the 2010-11 roster, the bulk of the Broncos’ impact players return including three redshirts. In all, eight of the returning players for the Broncos have started at least once during their careers, including Julia Marshall who redshirted in 2010-11.
Who’s Back in the Post
Lauren Lenhardt was second on the team in scoring and rebounding last year at 12.2 points and 5.7 boards per game as a sophomore. She ranked fourth in the WAC
for free throw percentage at 83.7 (82-98), seventh in rebounding and 13th in scoring. The 6-2 junior forward/ center started 27 of 29 games last season and is expected to start again this year at either of the two post positions. Joining Lenhardt in the post will be junior Kinzi Poteet who has played in 62 games during her career and had six starts as a sophomore. The 6-0 forward is one of the most athletic players on the team averaging 3.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16 minutes per game as a sophomore. The coaches used her more as a role player the first two seasons, but will look to her to step up her production and become an impact this season as one of two post players returning to the squad. The pair will be joined by redshirt-junior Mandy Munns a transfer from the University of Utah who sat out last season due to NCAA rules. The 6-2 center could start next to Lenhardt as the Broncos look to go big in the post. Munns, who played in 33 games for the Utes, has a solid build and does not shy away from contact.
Who’s Back on the Wing
The Broncos return Heather Pilcher who started at the position 22 times in 2010-11 averaging 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds with a team-high 41 steals. The athletic senior has played in 93 contests with 37 starts throughout the first three years. Pilcher is the only senior to play all four years for Boise State and is a combination wing/twoguard. She will need to play a major role this season if the Broncos are to be successful. Redshirt senior Nicole Brady is a 6-0 combination wing/ power forward who played in all 31 games with one start during her first campaign as a Bronco last year averaging 4.9 points and 2.1 rebounds. Due to lack of numbers in the post, Brady will see quality time at forward this season as well as at the wing.
Kati Isham Season Preview
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