Miami Hurricanes
Overall Rank: #10
Conference Rank: #2 ACC
Miami Team Page
The Miami women’s basketball program took a huge leap onto the national radar in 2010-11. Katie Meier was the AP Coach of the Year, the Hurricanes won 28 games and an ACC Championship and made a strong run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament losing a classic game to Oklahoma in Charlottesville, Virginia.
2010-11: 28-5, 12-2
2010-11 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Katie Meier (100-89 at Miami, 176-134 overall)
Who’s Out:
There are no major key losses for the Hurricanes with the return of all five starters in 2011-12. The challenge will be building on last season and maintaining health and so forth as Miami will definitely have a target on their back come ACC play.
Who’s In:
The three player freshman class is highlighted by point guard Michelle Woods, an ESPNU Top 100, out of Naples, Florida. She projects to be a very smart, disciplined player and a very gifted passer. Woods should compete early for playing time off the bench in her freshman year and then take the baton from Shenise Johnson and Riquna Williams in 2012-13 when they depart via graduation and the WNBA.
Who to Watch:
Williams and Johnson are extremely dynamic players. They more often than not will get their points in this up tempo system of Coach Meier’s. Morgan Stroman provides great athleticism and scoring down low to keep the perimeter open for the Hurricanes. Stephanie Yderstrom, the junior from Sweden, provides versatility along the wings making guarding Miami pretty much a nightmare on an every game basis for coaches in the ACC.
Final Projection:
This veteran squad, returning all five starters, will be locked and loaded for the ACC gauntlet and their preseason slate that has Miami playing the likes of Tennessee, Georgetown, and Michigan State on the road along with an always tough Rutgers squad at home. This schedule should prepare the Hurricanes nicely for another run at the ACC Championship. The Miami administration should be commended for letting Coach Meier steadily build an enduring program. This year Miami should make a deep run in the tourney... well into at least the second weekend. With a good draw, they may have a shot at going all the way to the Final Four. This team has a similar feel to Notre Dame and Texas A&M from a year ago when they made it to the National Championship game.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Shenise Johnson, Senior, Guard, 19.6 PPG
Riquna Williams, Senior, Guard, 21.7 PPG
Morgan Stroman, Junior, Forward, 13.6 PPG
Stephanie Yderstrom, Junior, Guard, 8.0 PPG
Sylvia Bullock, Senior, Forward, 4.2 PPG
Madness 2012 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#4 Shenise Johnson
#7 Riquna Williams
Madness 2011 Women's Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#79 Michelle Woods
