Spring Break
Where's the love?
Women's basketball asks for more student support at games
By: Michael Teague
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Sports
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A&M is not looking for recognition from the media, voters or the tournament selection committee. This team is looking for respect from their classmates and fans; a respect that is absent because the players are women.
The Aggies have showcased a balance between a talented starting five players and a deep and talented bench. The team features two All-American candidates in seniors Takia Starks and Danielle Gant and a strong supporting cast.
Statistically, the 2008-2009 A&M team is one of the best in the history of the women's program. The Aggies rank second in scoring in Big 12 conference play, scoring-margin and field goal percentage. On the other end of the court, A&M leads the conference in steals and turnover margin and are third in field goal percentage defense.
"I just think we play hard every possession," Gant said. "We play hard on defense and on offense. I think it's more exciting to watch women because we play hard on both ends of the floor."
The women's basketball team has made major strides singe the arrival of Head Coach Gary Blair in 2003. In his second season at the helm, Blair ended A&M's streak of eight consecutive losing seasons. Before Blair took over, the Aggies had endured 16 losing seasons and only two NCAA tournament appearances in 30 seasons.
"They have done a remarkable job," said A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne. "If you look at where we were before Gary Blair arrived here, arguably our men's and women's basketball teams were the worst in the history of the Big 12 Conference.
"We never had a win in the Big 12 Tournament. We were just awful. Every year now, there are Aggies talking about post-season play in basketball. Before, that was unheard of. There has been an incredible turnaround and the culture is changing."
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