Record last season:

26-8, Sun Belt Conference champions

The Low-Down

They are young. With only one senior who saw playing time last season in forward Dominique Duck and two juniors in guard Kenzie Rich, and forward Jessica Magley, some pressure will be put on the younger players to step up and take on some responsibilities.

Game to Watch

The Lady Toppers play host to Vanderbilt, George Washington and Duke in a two-week period. All three teams participated in last year’s Sweet 16.

They said it

“I think this year is gonna be a lot different,” Duck said. “But I’m excited about it, and you guys should be excited about it, too.”

For Western to be successful

The team will have to find a way to make up for the 22.6 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game that Crystal Kelly averaged last season and took with her when she graduated from Western.

Worth Noting

767. That’s how many points Crystal Kelly scored last season. The next highest Lady Topper is Duck with 392 points followed by Rich with 388 points.

Etc.

While Crystal Kelly may be gone, head coach Mary Taylor Cowles, along with Duck, said in the annual basketball media luncheon that they have the offensive weapons to make up for Kelly’s absence.