sports
Women’s roundball ready to bounce back
T
he University of Toledo women’s basketball team begins the 2002-03 season with two familiar goals: challenge for the Mid-American Conference Championship and get back into the NCAA Tournament. The Davis Rockets also enter the year with something to prove. After experiencing a season that began with promise and ended with disappointment in 2001-02, UT is anxious for a fresh start. The preseason favorite to win both the 2001-02 MAC West Division title and conference tournament crown, the Rockets experienced a roller coaster ride last year and finished 17-11 overall and 12-4 in league play. The Midnight Blue and Gold suffered its earliest exit in the MAC Tournament in 14 years after being upset by sixth-seeded Northern Illinois in the quarterfinals. “We had an interesting season,” Head Coach Mark Ehlen said. “It started with the highest of highs and ended with the lowest of lows. I was disappointed in how our season ended, but I don’t want to beat a dead horse. We weren’t used to that kind of finish, but I am confident we will bounce back this season.” The Rockets return six letter winners, including two starters in 2002-03, seniors Teresa Kahle and Tia Davis, who are committed to ensuring that the Toledo standard of excellence is not compromised. Toledo also ushers in a new era with the addition of four talented and versatile freshmen.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date
Opponent
Time
Jan. 18
at Miami*
2 p.m.
Jan. 22
BUFFALO*
7 p.m.
Jan. 25
BALL STATE*
4:30 p.m.
Jan. 29
at Marshall*
7 p.m.
Feb. 1
KENT STATE*
7 p.m.
Feb. 5
WESTERN MICHIGAN*
7 p.m.
Feb. 8
at Bowling Green*
1 p.m.
Feb. 11
at Ball State*
7 p.m.
Feb. 16
OHIO*
TBA
Feb. 19
at Western Michigan*
7 p.m.
Feb. 22
EASTERN MICHIGAN*
7 p.m.
Mar. 1
at Northern Illinois*
7:05 p.m.
Mar. 4
CENTRAL MICHIGAN*
7 p.m.
Mar. 8
MAC Tourn - First Round
TBA
Mar. 12
MAC Tourn - Quarterfinals
TBA
Mar. 14
MAC Tourn - Semifinals
TBA
Mar. 15
MAC Tourn - Championship
TBA
MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date
Opponent
Time
Jan. 18
at Ball State*
3:30 p.m.
Jan. 22
at Central Michigan*
7 p.m.
Jan. 25
KENT STATE*
7 p.m.
Jan. 28
WESTERN MICHIGAN*
7 p.m.
Feb. 5
at Akron*
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8
at Eastern Michigan*
7 p.m.
Feb. 11
BOWLING GREEN*
7 p.m.
Feb. 15
CENTRAL MICHIGAN*
7 p.m.
Feb. 18
at Western Michigan*
7 p.m.
Feb. 22
EASTERN MICHIGAN*
4:30 p.m.
Feb. 25
at Buffalo*
7 p.m.
Mar. 1
at Northern Illinois*
2:05 p.m.
Mar. 5
BALL STATE*
7 p.m.
Mar. 8
at Bowling Green*
2 p.m.
Mar. 10
MAC Tourn. - First Round
TBA
Mar. 13
MAC Tourn - Quarterfinals
Mar. 14
MAC Tourn - Semifinals
Mar. 15
MAC Tourn - Championship
* Mid-American Conference contest Schedule is subject to change All times are site times
Men’s basketball poised for jump start
H
ead Coach Stan Joplin is counting on an experienced team to make a run at Toledo’s first Mid-American Conference title since 1980. The Rockets have virtually their entire roster returning from last year’s 16-14 squad. “We finished up strong last year and I hope that gives us something to build on,” Head Coach Stan Joplin said. “Our goal every season is to win the conference and go to the NCAA Tournament, and with the experience we have returning we are ready to do that.” The Rockets will be led by senior guard and team captain Nick Moore (14.3 ppg), who paced the MAC last year in three-point field goal shooting percentage (.453) and three-point field goals per game (3.00). In addition, the Rockets have three junior starters returning: 6-3 guard Keith Triplett (9.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-7 forward Ricardo Thomas (7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and 6-9 center A.J. Shellabarger (4.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg). All three sat out the 2000-01 campaign and Joplin expects more production from the trio after a full season together on the court. Other returnees for the Rockets include senior Milo Kirsh and sophomores Phil Alexander, Jim Clement and Kareem Milson. “We should have a lot of depth and versatility this year,” Moore Joplin said. “I think a lot of our guys played tired last season and might have paced themselves in games. I want to be able to keep guys fresh and I think that might make them more effective.” TOLEDO Alumni Magazine / Winter 2003 5