[Editor’s note: due to a couple of factors outside my control, this preview was not able to be finished ahead of the season. The remainder of the non-conference schedule will be previewed soon.]
This year’s non-conference women’s basketball schedule contains multitudes. There are some teams that were tournament or bubble-quality teams last year, and some that were among the worst in D-1. There are programs who have had the same coach at the helm for 20+ years, and some who have a head coach in their first or second season. The non-conference slate features a trip to the Bahamas for a couple challenging matchups against Notre Dame and Arizona State. This schedule provides a good opportunity to see how Coach Coll’s first squad will fair in her inaugural season leading the Eagles, not only measuring by how many games they win, but how they play against this array of teams.
November 9: at DePaul Blue Demons
2021-22 Record: 22-11
Head Coach: Doug Bruno (798-397 in 36 years)
Series Record: new opponent
Final 2021-22 Ranking: 65 (Her Hoop Stats)
Top Returners: Darrione Rogers, Jorie Allen
Key Departures: Lexi Held, Sonya Morris (grad-transfer to Texas), Deja Church, Dee Bekelja
For outside observers and fans, the main narrative for this game will be AU-transfer Jade Edwards facing off against her former team. Edwards had a monumental effect on the Eagles while in Tenleytown, holding the #10 spot in points and the #7 spot in rebounds in program history – one of only five players to be top ten in two statistical categories. Originally from Chicago, her transfer to DePaul was something of a homecoming.
While it may be surreal seeing Jade Edwards sporting a different jersey, these Eagles are most certainly focused on the team as a whole. Led by their hall-of-fame coach Doug Bruno, the Blue Demons were #1 in points scored nationally last year. Part of that was their break-neck pace – they averaged nearly 80 possessions per game. Despite their speed, they were able to take care of the ball. DePaul was #6 in the country last year in turnover rate, #8 in assist-to-turnover ratio. Despite the roster turnover, if Coach Bruno has them playing the same brand of basketball, they will be tough to slow down in AU’s first test this season.
November 17: George Washington Colonials
2021-22 Record: 13-18
Head Coach: Caroline McCombs (13-18 in 36 years)
Series Record: 16-12 in favor of GW
Final 2021-22 Ranking: 232 (Her Hoop Stats)
Top Returners: Mayowa Taiwo, Sheslanie Laureano, Essence Brown
Key Departures: Kyara Frames, Tyasia Moore
If the Eagles didn’t have a week off between games, they might experience whiplash from the contrasting styles. Whereas the DePaul Blue Demons get out and run, George Washington plays at a snails pace, as they were the sixth slowest team in the country last year (out of 356!).
The Colonials simply had trouble scoring the rock last year, ranking in the bottom 10 in 2-point shooting and second to last in free throw shooting. They were better from behind the arc (27.7%), but nowhere near good enough to make up for their deficiencies elsewhere. They lose their main deep shooting threat in Kyara Frames, but returners Laureano, Taiwo, and Brown showed flashed last year and look to be able to increase the scoring output for GW. While a slow-paced game can increase variance, AU should be able to disrupt George Washington’s offense enough to come out on top.
November 20: Virginia Cavaliers
2021-22 Record: 5-22
Head Coach: Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (first year)
Series Record: 4-1 in favor of Virginia
Final 2021-22 Ranking: 242 (Her Hoop Stats)
Top Returners: Camryn Taylor, Taylor Valladay
Key Departures: Eleah Parker, Amandine Toi
Virginia is the first of three teams American will play in the non-conference who are in their first season with a new coach. Amaka Agugua-Hamilton was hired away from Missouri State in the offseason, where she compiled a 46-6 conference record over three years. Virginia is a team in need of a rebound, and Agugua-Hamilton seems capable of providing it.
[Part 2 coming soon]