Lady Cougars Picked to Finish Third in Conference USA
10/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 28, 2004
After capturing its first Conference USA regular season and tournament crowns in 2003-04, the University of Houston Lady Cougars have been picked by the 14 C-USA women's basketball head coaches to finish third this season, behind DePaul and TCU, respectively. In addition, senior center Sancho Lyttle was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Lady Cougars hope to capture their third 20-win season in the past four years and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2004-05. Playing in her final collegiate season, Lyttle returns as the Cougars' top offensive and defensive threat. Lyttle, one of three 2005 State Farm Wade Trophy Preseason candidates, earned Second Team, All C-USA honors last season after ranking eighth in the league in scoring (16.5 and fourth in rebounding (9.3).
DePaul has been chosen to win the 2004-05 regular season title. The Blue Demons' Khara Smith, who led her squad in scoring (20.4 ppg) and rebounding (11.7 rpg) last year, has also been selected by the coaches as the C-USA Preseason Player of the Year.
Smith was named one of the 2005 State Farm Wade Trophy Preseason candidates, top-16 candidate for the Preseason Wooden Award as well as Preseason First Team All-American by Lindy's Magazine, which ranked the Blue Demons' No. 24 overall. Smith is currently ranked first in school history with a .605 career field goal percentage and 16th all-time with 1,061 points in her 66 career games.
Joining Khara Smith on the preseason All-Conference team is teammate Charlene Smith, who ranked in the Top-20 of C-USA's top field goal percentage, steals and scoring last season. The 5-8 senior needs only 11 points to reach 1,000 career collegiate points.
A pair of sophomores, Jessica Dickson of USF and Louisville's Jazz Covington, look to build on their impressive rookie seasons. Covington, who earned Freshman All-America honors last season, finished her first season with the Cardinals as one of the top rookies in Louisville's school history, ranking behind former Cardinal Gwen Doyle in scoring and rebounding with 48 points and 347 rebounds last season. While earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Dickson became the Bulls' leading scorer (18.6 ppg), while also ranking second on the team in rebounds (6.1 rpg). Dickson finished the season ranked third in the league in scoring just behind Smith and former C-USA standout, Chandi Jones of Houston. Her 540 points last-season was a new record for C-USA freshmen.
TCU finished second in the preseason coaches' poll. The Horned Frogs received the preseason honor during the 2003-04 season and advanced to second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 15 Georgia. The Horned Frogs, who must replace three starters from last season, will be led by senior forward and preseason All-Conference selection Sandora Irvin. Irvin returns as TCU's leading scorer (16.8 ppg) as well as its all-time leading rebounder and shot blocker. She finished the season ranked third in the country in rebounds and blocked shots.
2004-05 Preseason Awards
(as selected by the league's head coaches)
Preseason All-Conference Team
JAZZ COVINGTON, LOUISVILLE
So., F, 6-2, Adel, Ga./Cook
JESSICA DICKSON, USF
So., F, 5-11, Ocala, Fla./Vanguard
SANDORA IRVIN, TCU
Sr., F, 6-4, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Ft. Lauderdale
Sancho Lyttle, HOUSTON
Sr., F/C, 6-4, St. Vincent, British West Indies/Clarendon JC
CHARLENE SMITH, DE PAUL
Sr., G/F, 5-8, Bellwood, Ill./UW-Milwaukee
KHARA SMITH, DE PAUL
Jr., F, 6-2, Hillside, Ill./Proviso West
Preseason Player of the Year
KHARA SMITH, DE PAUL
2004-05 Preseason Poll (1st place votes)
1. DePaul (11)
2. TCU (2)
3. Houston (1)
4. Louisville
Marquette
6. Charlotte
7. Memphis
8. USF
9. Cincinnati
10. East Carolina
11. Tulane
12. UAB
13. Southern Miss
14. Saint Louis