Part of what made Maryland?s women?s basketball team?s national title run impressive was how the Terps did it with a starting lineup that included two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior.
Those players on the No. 3 Terps are now a year older, andthe team went from being one of the younger to one of the more experienced teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. While top-ranked Duke, No. 2 North Carolina and Maryland all appear on paper far superior to the ACC?s other schools now, that may not be the case a year from now.
Currently, nine of the 12 ACC schools boast rosters where at least half are either freshmen or sophomores. Maryland coach Brenda Frese realizes this and knows winning the league title in 2008 could be an even tougher challenge than this year.
“You?re seeing that experience factor at the top of the conference right now,” Frese said. “In the long-term, if some of these teams continue to improve, you?re definitely going to see a more competitive league.”
Two teams that could be in that category are Florida State and Virginia. Seven of 12 players for Florida State (15-3, 4-0 ACC through Saturday) are in their first two years at college, including freshman forward Jacinta Monroe. Monroe scored 13 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds off the bench in the Seminoles? 61-60 win Thursday at Clemson.
Clemson has probably the youngest ACC roster, with nine of 13 players being either freshmen or sophomores, including Lele Hardy (10.9 points, seven rebounds). She had four points and six rebounds in the loss to Florida State.
Virginia, which dropped to 12-6 after Friday?s 95-68 loss at Maryland, boasts ACC Rookie of the Year front-runner, guard Monica Wright. Wright averages 14 points and five rebounds and has 42 steals through Sunday. She has already won the ACC Rookie of the Week award five times. However, early foul trouble limited her to 10 points against Maryland.
“As far as the ACC goes, I?m open to this experience,” Wright said. “I?m learning something new every day and every game. I have my teammates and coaches with me every step of the way.”
Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said players like Wright should allow the Cavaliers to be a force in the ACC soon.
“Monica does everything for us,” Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. “She scores, plays defense, rebounds and is someone we can count on. She?s a natural, but she?s still learning the game.”
ACC freshmen to watch
» Virginia guard Monica Wright: 14 points, 5.4 rebounds, 42 total steals.
» Florida State center Jacinta Monroe: 9.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, .602 field goal percentage.
» Clemson forward Lele Hardy: 10.9 points, seven rebounds.
