Nov. 30, 2003
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
This Week
Santa Clara continues the non-conference season with two games this week. On Monday, the Broncos travel to Sacramento to take on the Hornets (0-4), and then return home to the Leavey Center and host BYU (2-2) on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Scouting the Sacramento State Hornets
Series Record: Santa Clara leads 9-3
First Meeting: Sacramento State won (37-28) in 1967-68 in Santa Clara
Last Meeting: Santa Clara won 88-31 on Dec. 15, 2000 in Sacramento
Santa Clara's Largest Margin of Victory: 57 on Dec. 15, 2000 (88-31) in Sacramento
Sacramento State's Largest Margin of Victory: 33 in 1968-69 (53-20) in Santa Clara
Sacramento State's Record in 2002-03: 3-24 (1-13)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0
Scouting the BYU Cougars
Series Record: Santa Clara leads 1-0
First Meeting: Santa Clara won (76-64) on Dec. 5, 1998 in Santa Clara
Last Meeting: Same
SCU Largest Margin of Victory: 12 on Dec. 5, 1998 (76-64) in Santa Clara
BYU Record in 2002-03: 19-12 (8-6)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/1
A Fountain of Youth
Santa Clara is one of the top 15 youngest women's basketball teams that will take the court this season. With six freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors and two seniors, the Broncos' average age is 19.4 years heading into the season.
In the Rankings
The Bronco program is known to play one of the toughest schedules in the country on a regular basis, and this year's line up is no exception. Santa Clara will open its season hosting four teams that are mentioned in the preseason USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches' Poll. It peaked with 10th-ranked Georgia last week, but three other non-conference opponents--UW-Green Bay, BYU and Oregon--are receiving votes. League opponent Pepperdine is also mentioned in the polls.
Home Struggles
Santa Clara's losses to UW-Green Bay and No. 10 Georgia marked the first time that the Broncos have lost two home games to start the season since 1977-78, when SCU finished 4-20.
WCC Coaches Set Predictions in Preseason Poll
Pepperdine was selected as the preseason favorites in the 2003-04 WCC women's basketball poll, as selected by the league coaches. The Waves, who received six first place votes, will be seeking their third straight regular season and WCC tournament titles. Should the Waves win both the regular season and conference tournament, they would become the first team in WCC women's basketball history to sweep both crowns in three consecutive years. Coming in at second is Gonzaga, who received two first-place votes. Loyola Marymount and San Francisco are followed by Santa Clara. Rounding out this year's poll is San Diego, Portland and Saint Mary's.
A Look Ahead: Non-Conference Battles
Santa Clara's schedule doesn't get any easier, with away games at Sacramento State and Nevada, as well as a home contest against BYU.
Live on the Internet
Santa Clara's entire schedule returns to the Internet, as a live audio broadcast will be available for a third season on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Additionally, Leavey Center contests can be followed online with a live statistical tracker, also located on SCU's official athletic website. By logging on, fans receive real-time updated statistics direct from the official scoring computer, allowing users to listen to the audio broadcast and keep up with the statistics simultaneously. Anthony Passarelli returns as the voice of the Broncos for a third season.
