Area Division I women’s basketball

AREA WOMEN’S DIVISION I BASKETBALL

Gonzaga Bulldogs

2006-07 record: 24-10, 13-1, 1st West Coast Conference

Head coach: Kelly Graves, 8th, 11 overall

Record: 186-119, 120-93 at GU

Returning starters: Jami Bjorklund, 5-11 jr., g (9.0 ppg); Heather Bowman, 6-2 soph., f (13.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg); Rachel Kane, 5-7 sr., g (4.7 ppg, 3.8 apg)

Key returners: Michelle Elliott, 5-11 sr., g (9.5 ppg); Vivian Frieson, 6-0 soph., f (3.2 ppg); Maria Hassett, 6-1 jr., f (2.7 ppg); Sasha Polishchuk, 5-6 jr., g (3.4 ppg).

Newcomers: Janelle Bekkering, fr., f (redshirt, injury); Tatriana Lorenzo, fr., f (redshirt, injury); Tiffanie Shives, soph., g (redshirt, transfer Michigan State); Courtney Vandersloot, fr., g; Claire Raap, fr., f; Elaina Renius, jr., c (redshirt, playing volleyball).

Prediction: Conference coaches picked the Bulldogs second behind San Diego.

Outlook: After several near misses, GU won the WCC tournament to advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time, losing to Middle Tennessee State in the first round. The Bulldogs should be in the hunt for a shot at their fourth straight WCC title, especially if Bowman gets help in the post. Size is a concern with NCAA tournament teams Tennessee, Marquette, Purdue and Washington on the schedule. Depth is as good as it’s been, especially at point guard.

Eastern Washington Eagles

2006-07 record: 10-19, 5-11, 7th Big Sky Conference

Head coach: Wendy Schuller, 7th year

Record: 80-91

Returning starters: Katy Baker, 5-11 jr., g (7.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg); Sydney Benson, 6-2 jr., f (8.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg); Nicole Scott, 6-2 soph., f (7.3 ppg).

Key returners: Kari Darnell, 5-11 sr., f (2.0 ppg); Jessica Huntington, 5-8 soph., g (2.0 ppg, 2.0 apg); Ashley Knight, 6-0 sr., f (4.5 ppg).

Newcomers: Kyla Evans, 5-11 fr., g; Tatjana Sparavalo, 6-0 fr., g; Brittany Fiske, 6-0 fr., f; Amy Bratvold, 6-1 jr., f; Julie Piper, 6-0 fr., f; Paige McGowan, 6-3 jr., c.

Prediction: Conference coaches picked the Eagles seventh

Outlook: The Eagles are hoping for a fresh start after having nine losses in 10 games early in last year’s conference schedule. EWU lost three of its top four scorers to graduation, transfer or injury from a team that missed the Big Sky tournament for the first time in six years. Firepower could be an issue, if not chemistry with six new players. But Benson is a budding star who can be a consistent double-double producer in what should be a solid frontcourt. Maybe not a title contender, but a return to the Big Sky tournament is realistic.

Idaho Vandals

2006-07 record: 6-22, 3-13, 8th Western Athletic Conference

Head coach: Mike Divilbiss, 7th year, 21 overall

Record: 388-216, 78-94 at Idaho

Returning starters: Charlotte Otero, 5-3 soph., g (5.0 ppg, 4.5 apg); Sara Dennehy, 5-11 sr., w (10.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Katie Madison, 6-0 soph., p (19.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg)

Key returners: Lindsey Koppen, 5-9 sr., w (6.8 ppg); Hannah Wells, 5-9 sr., w (4.1 ppg); Katie Schlotthauer, 5-11 jr., p (1.3 ppg)

Newcomers: Carli Bakondy, 5-5 fr., g; Yinka Olorunnife, 6-0 fr., p; Emily Doran, 5-11 fr., w; Alana Curtis, 5-6 fr., g; Rachele Kloke, 5-11 fr., w; La’Kenya Simon-West, 5-8 fr., w; Therese Riedel, 6-4 fr., p

Prediction: Conference coaches picked the Vandals ninth

Outlook: Roster turnover continues with more newcomers than returnees. The Vandals have a good nucleus in Otero and Madison, who both made the WAC All-Freshman team. Madison is a consistent double-double producer and Otero distributes the ball well. After Dennehy, determining the other spots is where the battles are, but there is no reason not to expect improvement.

Washington State Cougars

2006-07 record: 5-24, 1-17, 10th Pac-10 Conference

Head coach: June Daugherty, 1st year, 18 overall

Record: 314-213

Returning starters: Katie Appleton, 5-8 jr., g (8.1 ppg, 2.7 apg); Ebonee Coates, 6-4 jr., c (4.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Colleen Betteridge, 5-8 soph., g (5.2 ppg, 2.4 apg)

Key returners: Heather Molzen, 6-3 jr., f (2.8 ppg); Sabrina Shired, 6-4 jr., c (1.1 ppg); Nakejia Kelly, 5-7 soph, g (7.6 ppg)

Newcomers: Katie Calderwood, 6-0 fr., f; Jasmine Williams, 5-9 fr., g; Salena Dickerson, fr., g; Kezia Kelly, fr., g; Salena Dickerson, 5-11, fr-tr, w; Kezia Kelly, 5-6 fr., g

Prediction: Conference coaches picked the Cougars 10th

Outlook: A new coach with great credentials and a history in the Pac-10 should get the perennial doormat pointed in the right direction. There are no seniors on the roster, but the young veterans have plenty of experience. If they pick up the new system quickly, they could surprise some teams.