They are just looking for a bit of consistency. For the Wisconsin women's basketball team (1-5 Big Ten, 3-13 overall), who have a two-game weekend ahead of them, playing consistently will be the key when playing Indiana (2-4, 9-6) today away and No. 19 Arizona (6-2 Pac-Ten, 12-4 overall) Sunday at home.
At the team's practice before leaving for Indiana, the Badgers worked on executing the offense after playing a physical Iowa team Tuesday. The team is also looking for some more consistent play with goals of improving on turnovers and better execution on both sides of the ball.
Several key factors will come into play this weekend as UW looks for its first Big Ten win on the road. Against an Indiana team that is undefeated at home and with the added incentive for Hoosier fans of Head Coach Kathi Bennett's declaration of donating $5,000 of her money to the Susan G . Komen Foundation for breast cancer if Indiana breaks the attendance record. The Badgers will have a big task ahead of them at Assembly Hall. Nonetheless, Wisconsin is optimistic about its chances and will be focusing on several important areas that UW is having difficulty with.
\We've got to cut down on our turnovers and get shots off. We shot the ball so well at Iowa but we still had 11 turnovers in the first half,"" Head Coach Jane Albright said. ""If we can shoot 68 percent and cut the turnovers down to seven rather than going in down by four, we'll be up four or five.""
Indiana is led by sophomore guard Jenny DeMuth, the team's only returning starter. This year DeMuth has doubled her contribution from last year, averaging 13.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
""DeMuth will really take the ball to the hole, so we'll have to have our best effort,"" Albright said.
Kathi Bennett, daughter of former Wisconsin men's basketball coach Dick Bennett, has brought a tough defensive program to the Hoosiers, limiting opponents to less than 40 percent from the field and less than 28 percent from beyond the arc.
""They are known for their great defense; defense is their key,"" sophomore guard Stephanie Rich said. ""We just have to execute on our offense and for us play great defense.""
After today's game against Indiana, Wisconsin will take a break from Big Ten play and face a tough Arizona squad. Sophomore guard Dee-Dee Wheeler led the team with 27 points against UCLA in an 80-61 win in the squad's game last Saturday.
""They're really athletic, more like an Illinois team,"" Rich said. ""We have to be able to execute against what they're going to bring at us and be able to stop their transition.""
Despite the tough schedule this weekend and the difficult season thus far, Albright said the team is remaining upbeat regarding play this weekend.
""The team is really resilient in their 'never say die' attitude,"" Albright said. ""I think when 8,000 people show up to see a team that's 2-12 play last Sunday they recognize that this is a group of young women who have very special character and kept working at something and we're able to turn it around and that's what we're going to look to do this last six weeks.\
