Another year, same goal. The Indiana Fever tip-off their 12th season tonight at home against the Chicago Sky.
This team is very capable of capturing the franchise’s first WNBA title. It will take a lot of teamwork, luck and most of all, health. Way too many times, the Fever have been hampered by key injuries to Catchings, Douglas or Hoffman.
As we get set for tonight’s season-opener, here are some storylines to follow this summer.
Tennessee Trio
For the first time ever, the Fever roster consists of three players from the University of Tennessee: Tamika Catchings, Shyra Ely and Shannon Bobbitt. They all come from a storied college program that has developed some of the best women basketball players of all-time. There’s no question the three know how to work hard and most importantly, they are winners.
New AND the old
The 11-woman roster features four players with 10 or more years of experience and four players with four or less years of experiences. Leadership, experience and polished skills are highlighted by the veterans. The young players add fresh legs, athleticism and an open mind. Combining the two could result in something very special. The only worry is that the old players lose their touch and the young players commit too many mistakes.
Moving on
No more Tully Bevilaqua, no more Ebony Hoffman. Those two were BIG fan favorites because of their play and their vivacious personalities. Hoffman was the one who kept the locker room interesting and an immediate sound bite for the media. With Bevilaqua, you knew exactly what you were getting—a safe, tireless worker and crafty veteran.
Both free agents, Tully signed with San Antonio and Ebony returned home to LA. Both will be sorely missed, mostly off the court. Bevilaqua was aging and now Briann January becomes the full-time starter. Hoffman was the league’s most improved player in the WNBA a few years ago but her output decreased last year. January, Erin Phillips, and Bobbitt should hold down the guard play while Shyra Ely and Tangela Smith solidify the forward position.
Not so new face on the bench
Former Perry Meridian and Purdue standout Stephanie White has returned to the Indiana Fever in a different capacity. White played four of her five years in the league with the Fever. This year she fills the assistant coach vacancy left by Jim Lewis who took the lead assistant job at Georgia Tech. She will best relate with players because she has been there, done that.
Smaller league, better teams
Finally, the WNBA continues to be even stronger with better talent. Teams are restricted to just 11 players on the roster, meaning every team has a quality core of talent. Just this week when Minnesota came into town, we saw a very talented Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Charde Houston, Lindsay Whalen, Candice Wiggins and Amber Harris. The league is ultra-competitive and wide open so at this point, it’s all speculation.
Indiana’s door may be closing, but it’s not shut yet. Led by Lin Dun, the Fever are determined to make the playoffs for the seventh straight year and win the WNBA title for their first time. They certainly have the talent and they certainly have the will-power.
The pages are there—let’s hope the Fever write a special chapter in their storybook this year.
Follow Scott on twitter @ScottAgness.