August 5, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
Lobo Women May Have Greatest Challenge
By Ken Sickenger, Journal Staff WriterA stroll through the pastry shop it's not.
The University of New Mexico women's basketball schedule for 2008-09 includes a slew of traditional powers with precious few cupcakes.
Lobo coach Don Flanagan released the non-Mountain West Conference of his team's schedule Monday, one that includes heavyweights Stanford, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Nebraska and DePaul. The latter three teams will visit the Pit.
"This might be our toughest schedule yet," said Flanagan, who is entering his 14th season at UNM. "I hope we're able to pull together and play to the level of our competition because this is very challenging."
New Mexico (20-13 last season) will face eight teams during its nonconference slate that won 20 or more games last season. Nebraska will compete in UNM's Thanksgiving tournament and could meet the host team in the second round. If that happens, the Lobos will play five non-conference games against 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifiers and two more against WNIT teams.
"We have to step it up a notch," UNM junior Eileen Weissmann said of the schedule. "It's nice to play so many talented teams because they bring out the best in you. You know you have to play your best to win those games."
The Lobos will be gunning for an eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and Flanagan said the schedule was drawn up with that in mind.
"We schedule for our fans, to give them a chance to see us play competitive opponents," he said. "We also want games that will get the attention of the NCAA committee in case we don't win (the MWC) tournament. Fortunately, those games traditionally prepare us for conference play."
UNM opens with exhibition games against the Melbourne Roos and Alaska Anchorage. The latter will allow Lobo sophomore Jessica Kielpinski to play against her older sister, Rebecca.
The regular season tips off Nov. 15 with the round-robin Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tourney, which brings Alcorn State, Idaho State and DePaul to the Pit. The Lobos and DePaul will square off in the tournament's final game.
Three days later New Mexico visits national runner-up Stanford (35-4 last season) before returning home to face Utah Valley University (16-12). The Holiday Inn Select Thanksgiving Tournament has UNM vs. William and Mary (14-18) and Butler (20-10) vs. Nebraska (21-12) in the first round.
In December, Flanagan's team hosts New Mexico State (23-9), North Texas (14-18) , Texas Tech (17-16) and UTEP (28-4) before finishing the non-conference schedule on the road at NMSU and Texas A&M (29-8). The Mountain West Conference is expected to release its schedule in the next week or so, Flanagan said.
"I think it'll be very exciting," Lobo junior Val Kast said of the schedule. "I can't wait."
The Texas Tech and Texas A&M games begin home-and-home contracts, Flanagan said, adding that he's pleased to renew a rivalry with the Lady Raiders. UNM played Texas Tech regularly until then-Raiders coach Marsha Sharp chose to end the series after the 2001-02 season.
"It's a natural rivalry," Flanagan said. "It took a little doing to get it back on the schedule, but I'm glad we did.
"I think we're going to continue the series with Stanford (beyond this season), too. Having home-and-homes with tough Pac-10 and Big 12 programs is really positive."
The 2008-09 schedule figures to sternly test a young Lobo squad that graduated two of its top three scorers (Dionne Marsh and Brandi Kimble) from last season. Junior point guard Amy Beggin is the only returner who averaged double-digit scoring.
"We do have to replace some scoring," he said, "but most of the kids we have coming back have played against good competition and in pressure situations. I think once you get accustomed to playing at a high level, you're better off."