Gators Women's Basketball Preview

WHAT TO EXPECT

After a dismal 2006-07 season that saw the Gators go 9-22 and 2-12 in the SEC, not much was expected of the Florida women's basketball team last season.

The transition from former coach Carolyn Peck to Amanda Butler, a former UF basketball player, was as successful as could be expected.

The Gators more than doubled their win total (19-14, 6-8 SEC) and earned an unexpected WNIT berth.

With a deeper, more-experienced team, the expectations have grown this year after last season's success. An NCAA Tournament berth is the goal for the Gators this season.

No. Player Pos. Ht. Class Hometown3 Sha Brooks G 5-7 Sr.Jackson, Tenn.* Will be relied on heavily to score and handle point-guard duties44 Marshae DotsonF5-11Sr.Columbus, Ohio* All-SEC performer last season, who expects to improve42 Aneika HenryC 6-3 Sr.Coconut Grove* Athletic post presence will be relied on to fortify frontline24 Sharielle Smith F 5-10 Jr.Bradenton* Strong defender whose range extends to the 3-point line2 Lonnika Thompson G 5-4 Jr.New Orleans* Quick guard expected to make an impact defensively50 Ebonie CrawfordC 6-3 So.Decatur, Ga.15 Kim Critton G 5-7 Sr.Memphis33 Jordan Jones G 5-9 So.Suwanee, Ga.34 Tailor Jones G 5-11 R-Fr.Altamonte Springs21 Trumae Lucas G 5-8 Fr.Greensboro, N.C.14 Ndidi Madu F 6-1 R-Fr.Antioch, Tenn.22 Jennifer Mossor G 5-9 Jr.Orlando10 Steffi Sorensen G 5-10 Jr.Jacksonville13 Azania Stewart C 6-4 Fr.Wood Green, England20 Susan Yenser G 5-10 Jr.Marietta, Ga. *projected starter

SCHEDULE

All Times P.M.

Date Opponent TimeNovember

14at Florida Gulf Coast717Jacksonville720Stetson5:3023at Florida State224Savannah State728Southern Illinois#129Arizona St. or HofstraTBA December

3 at UAB6:307at N.C. State210Coppin State5:3012Florida A&M721Pittsburgh2 29Vermont$7:3030Miami or Towson$7:30January

3at Ohio78Mississippi St.711at Auburn315at South Carolina718Georgia225Mississippi229Kentucky7February

1at Arkansas35 at Alabama78Tennessee212at Vanderbilt815at LSU119Arkansas722South Carolina1March

1at Georgia2:30 # Junkanoo Jam at Freeport Bahamas

$ State Farm Classic

$ State Farm Classic

AT A GLANCE

Last year: 19-14 (6-8 SEC)

Coach: Amanda Butler is entering her second season as Gators coach and her fourth season overall. Butler enters the season with a 59-36 record.

Assistant Coaches: Susie Gardner, Brenda Kirkpatrick, David Lowery.

Home court: The Stephen C. O'Connell Center (12,222)

Tickets: Entrance is free to UF students with a Gator 1 ID. General admission tickets are $4.