Nov. 15, 2013
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Formulating a successful women's college basketball program is like writing a book. It takes time, patience and the unique ability to blend contrasting characters together to help progress the plot from beginning to end.
Lady Lions head coach Coquese Washington has shown during her seven-year tenure at Penn State that she has the uncanny ability to compose a compelling tale. Washington has led the program to two straight Big Ten Regular Season Championships and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
So, when the No. 1-ranked Connecticut Huskies and legendary head coach Geno Auriemma travel to State College Sunday at noon, Washington will look to add to the rising action of her story.
Despite the success Auriemma has had at the helm of the Huskies--8 NCAA Championships--Washington knows that she too has an elite class of student athletes that are capable of competing against the nation's best.
"Connecticut is a very experienced team," said Washington. "They play with a lot of poise. They play with a lot of patience. They play with a lot of confidence. They execute very well on both ends of the floor. Their defensive intensity is at a very high level. We certainly have our work cut out for us, playing against the best team in the country."
Even though the Lady Lions have their work cut out for them, the daily routine has remained the same so far this week and will remain the same up until Sunday.
"You prepare your team like you would for any opponent," said Washington. "The rankings don't matter. Once you're out there playing you don't think you're playing against the number one team in the country, you're just playing an opponent."
Even with eight total newcomers to the squad this season, including seven freshmen, Washington trusts in her veteran leadership and even alluded to the fact that her four seniors have already done an outstanding job easing the young players into the collegiate system.
Washington knows that her freshmen are excited for Sunday's bout, but this early in the season it is difficult for her to gage their mindset for Sunday. With that being said, playing the nation's best is one of the big reasons players decide to attend Penn State.
"That's why they came to Penn State, so they can play against Connecticut, so they can play against Notre Dame, so they can play against Nebraska and Michigan State, and the best teams in our conference, and some of the best teams in the nation," said Washington. "So I know they will be excited and I know they will be ready to go. Hopefully they will display a lot of poise and patience and be able to execute our game plan."
Not every first year player gets the chance to battle against the best team in the land in just her third collegiate game.
As Sunday approaches, Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Maggie Lucas displayed confidence in the freshmen contributions thus far this season and feels that the young players are handling their "business" very well.
"They're just really excited to play," said Lucas." It's great for them to get this opportunity as freshmen. They may have some jitters, but they're preparing well. We are just trying to lead them the right way."
In just two regular season games, the freshmen players on Washington's team have appeared to have no problem transitioning from high school to collegiate basketball. With that being said, a contest between two top-15 teams brings just a little more national attention to the hardwood.
"I'm excited," said freshman guard/forward Peyton Whitted. "This is going to be a big game and a big test for our team. There are going to be more people watching, but we just need to focus on what we're doing, not what everyone else is doing."
Realizing how fast-paced a team Connecticut is, and how well the Huskies are able to score in transition, Whitted said the key is to match up well in transition and force them to take contested shots.
A match-up against the nation's best in just the third game of the season is obviously a difficult measuring stick in determining just how strong this young Lady Lions team is this season, but it certainly should not go unnoticed.
"A lot of things can happen between November and March," said Washington. "We are preparing for us to get better. It's early in the season, and we talk about this all the time, we want to continue to grow and improve and get better as the season comes along."
The last two meetings against the Huskies have come on the road, but the Lady Lions will finally get a shot against Connecticut on their home floor to try and atone for a neutral site loss in 2012 and a defeat in Storrs, Conn., last season.
"It's awesome," said Lucas. "It is a great game for our program and a great game for our fans, so we are excited to have it at our place this year."
There is no doubt that Sunday's game against the No. 1 UConn will entertain the home crowd from start to finish, but with a win, Washington's book has the opportunity to continue its ascending journey to best selling.