Friday, November 3
Waco, Texas
6 PM
Baylor
vs
Hardin-Simmons (Exh.)
No. 19 WBB Set to Host Hardin-Simmons in Exhibition Friday
11/2/2023 4:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Friday’s contest is the Bears’ lone tune-up ahead of the 2023-24 regular season
By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
Nicki Collen has done everything possible to blend a 19th-ranked Baylor women's basketball team that includes five newcomers, three returning Big 12 All-Freshman Team selections and only one player that's been through more than one year in Waco.
Everything "from Marine training to foreign trips to core values and doing on the court and off the court games," said Collen, whose team will play Division III power Hardin-Simmons in the final tune-up with an exhibition game at 6 p.m. Friday at the Ferrell Center.
"I want to see us be unselfish," Collen said of her goals for Friday's exhibition game. "I want to see us play with and for one another. . . . I think it comes down to the team buying into what it takes to win. These guys came to Baylor to win and to win championships. But they're all individuals and they all want to have individual success as well."
Senior point guard Sarah Andrews, a returning All-Big 12 pick who averaged 14.7 points and 4.3 assists per game, and 6-1 sophomore forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (10.6 ppg, 9.2 rebounds) are the only starters returning from last year's 20-13 team that lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy (8.8 ppg, 5.1 rebounds) were joined on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team by 5-11 sophomore guard Denae Fritz (8.8 ppg, 4.6), a transfer from Iowa State.
"I don't know that Buggs' role has changed that much," Collen said. "To be honest with you, I think she's going to have a bigger role. She's become more confident. She's become more confident. She understands what we're doing and why we're doing it and is better at doing it enough to name her a captain, as a sophomore. Super proud of her progress."
In addition to Fritz, the Bears added two-time all-conference forward Madison Bartley from Belmont, who averaged 14.1 points per game last season; 5-8 junior guard Yaya Felder from Ohio University, who led the MAC with 638 regular-season points; 5-7 guard Jada Walker from Kentucky, who averaged 12.9 points; and 6-7 freshman center Lety Vasconcelos, a three-time member of the Brazilian National Team.
Baylor's rotation will also include former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Dre'Una Edwards, who sat out last year as a 4-4-4 transfer after spending her first three seasons at Utah and Kentucky; and 5-11 forward Aijha Blackwell, who saw limited action in eight games last year after averaging 14.9 points and 13.1 rebounds two years ago at Missouri.
"It's a good problem, but it's still a problem sometimes," Collen said, "just because when there's not a ton of separation between maybe 3 and 11, it makes it hard at times. It really comes down to, are you stacking good practices because there isn't much separation? Ultimately, when you're talking about big matchups and preparing for conference play and having a rotation, most coaches are really comfortable with eight and having a potential ninth.
"It's better than the alternative. At the same time, really wanting to see some of our players solidify what their role should be because I think they're at their best when they know what that role is. But I think those are still forming."
Picked to repeat as American Southwest Conference champions, Hardin-Simmons is ranked eighth in the WBCA Division III preseason poll after going 24-4 overall and 18-0 in league play last year. Seniors Paris Kiser and Parriss Parmer are returning starters for the Cowgirls, averaging 11.8 and 10.4 points, respectively.
"Obviously, athletically and size-wise, there's a difference," Collen said, "but when it comes to moving the ball and making shots, understanding what they do . . . they're going to be confident, maybe a little scared of our size. But I think teams like this have nothing to lose. They sometimes play with that sense of fearlessness."
Baylor's new broadcasting tandem of Derek Smith and Lori Fogleman will call the game online at https://www.centexsportsfan.com/.
In a quick turnaround, the Bears will host 2023 NCAA Tournament team Southern at 7 p.m. Monday before welcoming fifth-ranked and future Big 12 foe Utah on Nov. 14.
WACO, Texas – The No. 19 Baylor women's basketball team will take the court for the first time on Friday when it hosts Hardin-Simmons for an exhibition game at 6 p.m. at the Ferrell Center.
There will be no video stream of Friday's contest, but live stats and live audio are available for fans that are unable to attend.
BACK IN THE RANKS
Baylor heads into the 2023-24 season as the 19th-ranked team in the country, as announced by the Associated Press, while the Bears are sitting at No. 20 in the WBCA/USA Today Top-25 Poll. The Bears' appearance in the preseason AP Poll marks the 19th-straight season Baylor has been ranked to start the year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Four Bears were named to preseason watch lists published by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and WBCA as part of the Women's Starting Five. For the first time in her career, Sarah Andrews landed a spot on the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List, which recognizes the top point guards in women's NCAA Division I basketball.
Additionally, Aijha Blackwell and Dre'Una Edwards were selected to the Cheryl Miller (small forward) and Katrina McClain (power forward) Award Watch Lists, respectively, for the second-straight year. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs joined Edwards on the McClain Award list, marking the first-career preseason award for the returning all-conference performer.
NOTHIN' NEW
Jada Walker was voted the league's Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the conference's head coaches. Her selection marks the fifth-straight year a Baylor Bear has earned the preseason distinction. Walker joins Jordan Lewis (2021-22) and Aijha Blackwell (2022-23) as selections under the direction of third-year head coach Nicki Collen.
Season tickets for Baylor women's basketball are still available to purchase by calling our sales team at 254-710-6441 or 254-710-6446. The Farewell to Ferrell Mini Plan is on sale through Nov. 3 at just $35. The plan includes all games in the Ferrell Center, except Delaware State. When it comes to purchasing single-game tickets, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor women's basketball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.
Baylor Bear Insider
Nicki Collen has done everything possible to blend a 19th-ranked Baylor women's basketball team that includes five newcomers, three returning Big 12 All-Freshman Team selections and only one player that's been through more than one year in Waco.
Everything "from Marine training to foreign trips to core values and doing on the court and off the court games," said Collen, whose team will play Division III power Hardin-Simmons in the final tune-up with an exhibition game at 6 p.m. Friday at the Ferrell Center.
"I want to see us be unselfish," Collen said of her goals for Friday's exhibition game. "I want to see us play with and for one another. . . . I think it comes down to the team buying into what it takes to win. These guys came to Baylor to win and to win championships. But they're all individuals and they all want to have individual success as well."
Senior point guard Sarah Andrews, a returning All-Big 12 pick who averaged 14.7 points and 4.3 assists per game, and 6-1 sophomore forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (10.6 ppg, 9.2 rebounds) are the only starters returning from last year's 20-13 team that lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy (8.8 ppg, 5.1 rebounds) were joined on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team by 5-11 sophomore guard Denae Fritz (8.8 ppg, 4.6), a transfer from Iowa State.
"I don't know that Buggs' role has changed that much," Collen said. "To be honest with you, I think she's going to have a bigger role. She's become more confident. She's become more confident. She understands what we're doing and why we're doing it and is better at doing it enough to name her a captain, as a sophomore. Super proud of her progress."
In addition to Fritz, the Bears added two-time all-conference forward Madison Bartley from Belmont, who averaged 14.1 points per game last season; 5-8 junior guard Yaya Felder from Ohio University, who led the MAC with 638 regular-season points; 5-7 guard Jada Walker from Kentucky, who averaged 12.9 points; and 6-7 freshman center Lety Vasconcelos, a three-time member of the Brazilian National Team.
Baylor's rotation will also include former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Dre'Una Edwards, who sat out last year as a 4-4-4 transfer after spending her first three seasons at Utah and Kentucky; and 5-11 forward Aijha Blackwell, who saw limited action in eight games last year after averaging 14.9 points and 13.1 rebounds two years ago at Missouri.
"It's a good problem, but it's still a problem sometimes," Collen said, "just because when there's not a ton of separation between maybe 3 and 11, it makes it hard at times. It really comes down to, are you stacking good practices because there isn't much separation? Ultimately, when you're talking about big matchups and preparing for conference play and having a rotation, most coaches are really comfortable with eight and having a potential ninth.
"It's better than the alternative. At the same time, really wanting to see some of our players solidify what their role should be because I think they're at their best when they know what that role is. But I think those are still forming."
Picked to repeat as American Southwest Conference champions, Hardin-Simmons is ranked eighth in the WBCA Division III preseason poll after going 24-4 overall and 18-0 in league play last year. Seniors Paris Kiser and Parriss Parmer are returning starters for the Cowgirls, averaging 11.8 and 10.4 points, respectively.
"Obviously, athletically and size-wise, there's a difference," Collen said, "but when it comes to moving the ball and making shots, understanding what they do . . . they're going to be confident, maybe a little scared of our size. But I think teams like this have nothing to lose. They sometimes play with that sense of fearlessness."
Baylor's new broadcasting tandem of Derek Smith and Lori Fogleman will call the game online at https://www.centexsportsfan.com/.
In a quick turnaround, the Bears will host 2023 NCAA Tournament team Southern at 7 p.m. Monday before welcoming fifth-ranked and future Big 12 foe Utah on Nov. 14.
WACO, Texas – The No. 19 Baylor women's basketball team will take the court for the first time on Friday when it hosts Hardin-Simmons for an exhibition game at 6 p.m. at the Ferrell Center.
There will be no video stream of Friday's contest, but live stats and live audio are available for fans that are unable to attend.
BACK IN THE RANKS
Baylor heads into the 2023-24 season as the 19th-ranked team in the country, as announced by the Associated Press, while the Bears are sitting at No. 20 in the WBCA/USA Today Top-25 Poll. The Bears' appearance in the preseason AP Poll marks the 19th-straight season Baylor has been ranked to start the year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Four Bears were named to preseason watch lists published by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and WBCA as part of the Women's Starting Five. For the first time in her career, Sarah Andrews landed a spot on the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List, which recognizes the top point guards in women's NCAA Division I basketball.
Additionally, Aijha Blackwell and Dre'Una Edwards were selected to the Cheryl Miller (small forward) and Katrina McClain (power forward) Award Watch Lists, respectively, for the second-straight year. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs joined Edwards on the McClain Award list, marking the first-career preseason award for the returning all-conference performer.
NOTHIN' NEW
Jada Walker was voted the league's Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the conference's head coaches. Her selection marks the fifth-straight year a Baylor Bear has earned the preseason distinction. Walker joins Jordan Lewis (2021-22) and Aijha Blackwell (2022-23) as selections under the direction of third-year head coach Nicki Collen.
Season tickets for Baylor women's basketball are still available to purchase by calling our sales team at 254-710-6441 or 254-710-6446. The Farewell to Ferrell Mini Plan is on sale through Nov. 3 at just $35. The plan includes all games in the Ferrell Center, except Delaware State. When it comes to purchasing single-game tickets, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor women's basketball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.
- BaylorBears.com -
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