USF Women's Basketball Preview

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 Hometown4 Jazmine Sepulveda G 5-9 Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y.*Averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 assists, both second on team last year 3 Shantia GraceG5-6Jr.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 DensonC 6-3 Sr. Winter Haven*Transfer from Miami who became eligible middle of last season2 Crystal AyersG 5-6 Sr. Tampa42 Melissa Dalembert F 6-3Jr. Miramar11 Porche GrantF 6-2Jr. Oxon Hills, Md.20 Ashley SandersF 6-0Sr. Miami15 Allyson SpeedG 5-9 Jr. Daytona Beach 21 Janae StokesG5-7 Jr.Vidalia, Ga. 33 Kelsey VarneyG 5-8 Sr.Lewiston, Maine 1 Jasmine WynneG 5-7 Fr.Jacksonville *projected starter

SCHEDULE

All Times P.M.

Date Opponent TimeNovember

15Central Connecticut516Harvard or Loyola (Md.)noon or 218 Stetson7 23 Coppin State227vs. California#8:3028vs. Iowa#629 vs. Texas Tech#6December

5 Florida International714North Florida318 Grambling 720 Northern Arizona221 Southern228 Jackson State230 at Tulane8January

3 at Marquette*86 UConn*710 St. John's*714Louisville*717 at Pittsburgh*TBA20 at Providence*724 Georgetown*TBA31at Rutgers*2February

3 Marquette*78at Syracuse*414 Seton Hall*717 Notre Dame*721 at West Virginia*TBA24 at DePaul*828 Cincinnati*2March

2 at Villanova*76-10 Big East Tournament$ *Big East Conference games

# at Paradise Jam, St. Thomas Virgin Islands

$ at Hartford, Conn.

AT A GLANCE

Last year: 16-16 (5-11, tied for 11th)

Coach: Jose Fernandez (ninth year at USF, 116-123)

Assistant coaches: Jeff Osterman, Michele Woods-Baxter, Andrea Williams, Cayll Smith (director of basketball operations)

Home court: Sun Dome (10,411)

Tickets: Season tickets $60-90, individual $7 adults, $5 children, 1-800-462-8557.

Radio: WQYK, 1010 AM

Web site: gousfbulls.com