The Memphis women’s basketball season officially begins Nov. 7, but they will host an exhibition game against Lemoyne-Owen College at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Saturday. Though there has not been as much hype around them as there has been for the men’s team, the women’s team has been making positive strides, making them one of the top teams to watch on campus.
During Memphis Madness, which took place in early October, the men’s and women’s basketball teams participated in a three-point competition, and an NBA-inspired skills challenge in front of a sold-out FedEx Forum audience. Freshmen Jamirah Shutes and Malianna ‘Rudy’ White gave strong performances and were winners in their subsequent challenges.
Head coach Melissa McFerrin said she was excited by the turnout at Memphis Madness.
“I just think this is the most electric atmosphere that you can find across the country,” said McFerrin. “Our fans here show us a lot of love, and we are appreciative of them.”
Last season, they finished the year with an unimpressive 10-20 record, including a 5-11 record in the American Athletic Conference. However, this season the team has added talent with their most recent recruiting class to ensure a better output this season.
They’ve added freshmen to the team such as Shutes, White and Camille Buckhanon, all of who averaged more than 20 points per game in their senior years of high school.
McFerrin spoke highly of all her new signees but saved the highest praise for White.
“(White) will win over Tiger Basketball fans with her hard-nosed intensity, strong penetration skills and mid-range scoring ability,” she said. “She is also a talented rebounding guard with a passion for winning. Her background as a multisport athlete combined with exposure to high caliber coaching prepared her to be successful at Memphis.”
The team will miss seniors and leading scorers Brea Elmore and Cheyenne Creighton. So, junior Taylor Barnes seems poised to be the leader of this relatively young team. Barnes was the third leading scorer last year, averaging 8.8 points per game and started all 30 games.
Another player worth noting is sophomore-guard Jada Stinson. Last season, Stinson led the freshmen in points, assists and steals last season and made 29 three-point shots last year, which tied her for seventh most made by a freshman in Memphis history.
Of course, they still have to face off against conference powerhouses Connecticut and South Florida, but Memphis has more talent this season than they have had for some time and have every reason to be competitive this season. Their size will make them difficult to match up within the paint, and their speed on the perimeter will allow them to get to shooters quickly to contest their shots.
Even though all the excitement is following the men’s team and Penny Hardaway’s return to Memphis has enraptured the basketball-loving city, the women’s basketball team could manage to steal away some of the attention. With their own crop of exciting recruits and promising returns, the team’s mix of youth and experience can make them a sleeper team to watch in the AAC.
