HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky women's basketball lifts the lid on the 2017-18 season on Saturday, Nov. 11, when the Norse host Kent State in BB&T Arena at 1 p.m. ET. Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Rich Hidy and Shane Duncan on the call. Streaming will be available on computers, tablets, smart phones and streaming devices through WatchESPN and the ESPN App.
GAME DAY PROMOTIONS: In honor of Veteran's Day, all military veterans will receive free admission to Saturday's contest. Additionally, the Norse are participating in the FUEL NKU Drive and will provide free admission to any fan who donates a non-perishable food item.
YOUNG BLOOD: With
Mikayla Terry being the team's lone senior, Northern Kentucky's roster features 11 underclassmen in its 12 active players. That makes NKU one of the youngest teams in NCAA Division I, trailing only Alabama A&M with regards to percentage of underclassmen as the Lady Bulldogs have 13 underclassmen out of 14 active players. The Norse also have one of the most freshman-laden rosters in NCAA Division I with 58.3 percent of the roster being rookie players. Only Fordham (64.3 percent), Savannah State (60.0 percent) and Air Force (58.8 percent) have higher ratios of freshmen on a squad. (Special thanks to IPFW's Brian Alden for compiling the corresponding data).
LAST TIME OUT: When
Camryn Whitaker took hold of the reins last season, she stated one of her goals as being able to score in six seconds or less. Unfortunately, with injuries plaguing the team in the 2016-17 season, the Norse were unable to implement the fast-paced offense. NKU showcased the benefits of a deeper bench on Nov. 4 in an exhibition against Asbury University as seven Norse scored in double figures during the 94-55 rout of the Eagles.
Molly Glick returned to action with 13 points, and NKU saw strong performances out of the freshman class as
Kailey Coffey,
Samari Mowbray,
Grayson Rose and
Grace White all scored at least 10 points. The Norse outscored Asbury 56-20 in the paint, and shared the ball well with 24 assists as Coffey,
Mikayla Terry and
Laura Thomas each had at least five dimes in the victory.
HOME SUPPORT: Northern Kentucky finished the regular season ranked 95th in the nation and third in the Horizon League in average attendance for home games. When playing at BB&T Arena, the Norse pulled an average of 1,634 fans per game for a total of 22,876 throughout the 14 home contests. The most attended game of the year was the Nov. 30 tilt against Stetson, which drew a crowd of 5,332. That number ranks fourth in BB&T Arena history for an NCAA basketball game.
SCOUTING KENT STATE: The Golden Flashes shocked the Mid-American Conference under head coach Todd Starkey's first season when the team won the MAC East after being picked to finish last in the preseason poll.
While Kent State graduated the 2017 MAC Player of the Year Larissa Lurken, who averaged 23.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, the Golden Flashes return nearly the entire roster from a season ago. Preseason All-MAC honoree Jordan Korinek is expected to be a leader on the team in her senior season. The 6-3 forward averaged 15.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg as the other half of a powerful post tandem for Kent State. The team also returns an experienced point guard in Naddiyah Cross, who dished out 3.5 assists per game and the two most efficient 3-point shooters on the team in McKenna Stephens and Alexa Golden.
NKU and Kent State have only squared off once in the history of the two programs, with the Golden Flashes claiming a 72-59 victory during the 1981-82 season.
NKU ADDS THREE FOR 2018-19: Coach Whitaker worked hard to bring in-state talent to Northern Kentucky, signing three natives of the Bluegrass State on Nov. 8. The Norse will add guards Taylor Clos and Ally Niece, as well as forward Emmy Souder for the 2018-19 season. According to Coach Whitaker, all three share the same key characteristics of hard work, high character and understanding what a winning culture looks like.
NATIONAL EXPOSURE FOR HOME SLATE: All of NKU's home contests will be featured on the ESPN3 broadcast schedule. The games will be available for viewing on WatchESPN and the ESPN App, and links will also be made available for the stream prior to the contest.
