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USF Women's Basketball Preview

@tampatrib.com

Published: November 9, 2008

WHAT TO EXPECT

Having made a school-record five consecutive postseason appearances, the Bulls have their sights set on a sixth consecutive postseason trip.

Before Jose Fernandez became USF's coach in 2000, the Bulls had never been to the NCAA or NIT, but the Bulls reached the NCAA in 2006 and the NIT in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. To get back to the NCAAs, the Bulls will need a big year from senior guards Shantia Grace and Jazmine Sepulveda.

Grace, already the school's career-leader in assists, should finish her career among USF's top three scorers.

The Bulls also will need big years inside from seniors Brittany Denson and Jessica Lawson, especially in Big East play.

The league is loaded once again with No. 1 UConn, which visits USF on Jan. 6, and four other league teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 rankings.

No., Player	Pos.	Ht.	Class	Hometown
4 Jazmine Sepulveda	G	5-9	Sr.	Brooklyn, N.Y.*
Averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 assists, both second on team last year
3 Shantia Grace	G	5-6	Jr.	Sarasota*
Second-team All-Big East, league's No. 4 scorer (19.1 points)
10 Alexis Givands	G	5-9	Jr.	Memphis*
Averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds last year at Gulf Coast CC
23 Jessica Lawson	F	6-3	Sr.	Edgewood*
Last season was team's No. 3 scorer (9.4) and rebounder (5.4)
32 Brittany Denson	C	6-3	Sr.	Winter Haven*
Transfer from Miami who became eligible middle of last season
2 Crystal Ayers	G	5-6	Sr.	Tampa
42 Melissa Dalembert	F	6-3	Jr.	Miramar
11 Porche Grant	F	6-2	Jr.	Oxon Hills, Md.
20 Ashley Sanders	F	6-0	Sr.	Miami
15 Allyson Speed	G	5-9	Jr.	Daytona Beach
21 Janae Stokes	G	5-7	Jr.	Vidalia, Ga.
33 Kelsey Varney	G	5-8	Sr.	Lewiston, Maine
1 Jasmine Wynne	G	5-7	Fr.	Jacksonville

*projected starter

SCHEDULE

All Times P.M.

Date	Opponent	Time
November
15	Central Connecticut	5
16	Harvard or Loyola (Md.)	noon or 2
18	Stetson	7
23	Coppin State	2
27	vs. California#	8:30
28	vs. Iowa#	6
29	vs. Texas Tech#	6
December
5	Florida International	7
14	North Florida	3
18	Grambling	7
20	Northern Arizona	2
21	Southern	2
28	Jackson State	2
30	at Tulane	8
January
3	at Marquette*	8
6	UConn*	7
10	St. John's*	7
14	Louisville*	7
17	at Pittsburgh*	TBA
20	at Providence*	7
24	Georgetown*	TBA
31	at Rutgers*	2
February
3	Marquette*	7
8	at Syracuse*	4
14	Seton Hall*	7
17	Notre Dame*	7
21	at West Virginia*	TBA
24	at DePaul*	8
28	Cincinnati*	2
March
2	at Villanova*	7
6-10	Big East Tournament$