Clapp Addresses Media at Annual Women's Basketball Media Day
October 23, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 24, 2002
Coach Clapp Press Conference Audio
Louisville, KY - University of Louisville head women's basketball coach Martin Clapp addressed reporters Thursday after lunch at the program's annual media day held at the Cardinal Park Sports Complex.
A Louisville trademark becomes a big question mark this season. Clapp is known for his long-bombing guards but which wing players will step up is the season's mystery. The two wing positions were left vacant from graduation last year and the starting jobs are wide open.
While the Cardinal offense will take a while to come around, the defense should see the most improvement this season.
"I challenged this team to improve on last year's play and to be more defensive-minded," Clapp says. "Our goals are the same, to compete for a conference championship and to advance to post season play."
"We will look to be more inside oriented with the addition of Lori Nero in the post. We will also try and extend our defensive pressure to create easier baskets."
The strength of the team will fall on the point guard position. Sara Nord has now become an upperclassman and will be counted on to work her magic. Backing her up at the point will be senior Sabrina Minter. Until the wing players get more experience, you might see another Clapp trademark back in the lineup with two point guards on the floor at the same time.
"Our strength this season will come from our point guard play," says Clapp. "With the talent and experience returning we should get a lot of balance to our offense."
Nord will return for her third season to take the reigns of the Cardinal offense. Last season she earned first team All-Conference USA honors and was a finalist for the Conseco Nancy Lieberman Step Up Award. While she is one of the best at distributing the ball, she can also be deadly from behind the arc. And this season she will be counted on to carry some of the scoring load as well getting the ball to the open player.
Minter will be counted on to back up Nord and sometimes play alongside her. She brings a different look at the point and will most likely draw the tough defensive assignments. Last season she averaged 5.1 points and 2.1 rebounds. During the last seven games of the season, she averaged 10 points per game.
Sophomore Angel Bradley should see some time at the point position but will spend the majority of her time at the wing position.
For the first time in several seasons, the Cardinals will return a lot of experience and talent in the post. All five post players are seniors.
"We will look to the veteran post players at the point and post positions to carry us until our wing players get some experience," Clapp said.
Highlighting the post play will be transfer Lori Nero. She transferred to Louisville last season after spending three seasons at Auburn.
The 6-2 Baton Rouge native averaged 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game her junior season. She earned third-team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press.
"Lori Nero will be able to step right in and make an immediate impact on the inside," said Clapp.
Amanda Wolke started in 25 games and averaged 7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Wolke scored a career-high 25 points against Cincinnati. She has the ability to score inside and outside. Tiana Ford blocked 33 shots last season and averaged 6.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She scored a career-high 22 points against Western Kentucky. With her shot-blocking abilities, Ford could be an intimidating force in the middle.
Senior Carol Brown is one of the most improved players. Last season she averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Brown scored a career-high 16 points and pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds against South Florida.
Providing much needed depth in the post will be senior Kassidi Bishop. Bishop received an extra year of eligibility after an ankle injury last season that sidelined her.
While the wing position lacks experience they have good size and athleticism. Their athleticism should create matchup problems along with their depth.
"I will be looking at Kim Graham, Nina Simotes and Angel Bradley to fill the spots left open by graduation," said Clapp. "As far as a person stepping up, we will wait and see how those three progress with playing time along with our three freshman wing players."
Junior Kim Graham showed flashes of brilliance last season, scoring a career-high 22 points against East Carolina. She is the most experienced wing player returning to the lineup and will be counted on to step up this season. Graham will bring a lot of athleticism to the wing position.
Sophomore Angel Bradley will move to the wing position this season, giving her more freedom to score. She has the ability to create shots and her experience at the point last year will be an asset.
Sophomore Nina Simotes showed flashes of her three-point scoring abilities last season against UAB and Houston. She finished the season averaging 1.8 points per game, connecting on 83.3 percent from the foul line.
Freshmen Candace Jackson, Shakita Martin and Connie Neal will all provide depth at the wings. All three are capable of earning a starting position.
In the past two seasons the Cardinals have compiled a home record of 26-1 and a Conference USA home record of 15-0. But this season that record will be challenged. The Cardinals have compiled a tough home schedule this season. The Cards will host Chattanooga, Ball State, Vanderbilt and Kentucky in nonconference play and Cincinnati, TCU, Houston and Tulane in Conference USA play.
"Starting the first three games on the road will be tough," says Clapp. "The nonconference road schedule will be highlighted by trips to Western Kentucky and LSU's tournament. The home schedule includes post season teams Chattanooga, Ball State and Vanderbilt along with instate rival Kentucky.
"Conference play will be the toughest to date with TCU, Cincinnati, Tulane and Houston returning the bulk of their teams. The teams that can win their home games and pick a few games off on the road will be the ones who contend for the conference championship."
