Most people will look at the record for the UNC Bears Women’s team and think that they are going to struggle int eh Big Sky this season. The Bears are currently 4-5 and their next game is the conference opener against Portland State on the 28th. When I look at that record, I am excited to see what they are going to do in the conference this season.
As you look at the schedule you have to take into account the talent that they played against. Two of the five losses came to top 10 teams in the country in Stanford and UCLA. Both of those games were great learning experiences, especially when welcoming in six new players. But even more than those two losses are some of the wins. The Bears beat both Air Force and Wyoming, both teams that they lost to last season. The Wyoming game was on the road and the Bears had to battle from behind to get that win.
Sure, when you look at the statistics there are some that stand out as head scratchers…items that they need to clean up to win the conference. I am sure that as I look at them, so does Head Coach Jenny Huth and wonder what they need to do to fix this. Probably the biggest of those is the turnover to assist ratio. The Bears currently sit with 160 turnovers over their nine games and have 72 assists. That is an average of 17.7 turnovers and 8 assists per game. One number is way too high and the other is way too low.
There is a lot to be excited about though as a Bear fan. First, Alexis Chapman seems to be picking up where she left off, shooting 32% from behind the arc and leading the team in scoring at 13.7 points per game. Adding to her shooting is that of Micayla Isenbart, coming back from an knee injury and shooting well from long range at 47%. It’s good to see her getting back into rhythm and knocking down the big shots.
One name that Bears fans will need to know for this season and many more to come is Kadie Deaton. The freshman out of Wisconsin has come onto the season with a splash. She is currently second on the team in scoring with 10.2 points per game and assists. She is also in top two on team in steals. Once Coach Huth gets her to settle down and get into her groove she is going to be a force in the Big Sky.
It feels like forever ago that the Bears were at home, but they are ready for conference play opening up on the 28th. Pack the stands and cheer on the Bears for this Saturday afternoon game as they look to get another Big Sky championship. As always, I am on the call and all home games are televised on PlutoTV channel 541. Have a Merry Christmas and we will see everyone on the 28th at 2. #KnockItDownForTheBears