USI Women’s Hoops tabbed for 4th-place finish in GLVC East

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Great Lakes Valley Conference coaches are forecasting a fourth-place finish in the GLVC East Division for University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball in 2016-17. The prediction came in the release of the GLVC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll Wednesday afternoon.

USI, which received 80 points in the poll, returns 12 players, 11 letterwinners, and all five starters from a squad that was 14-13 overall and 7-11 in league play a year ago.

Last year’s GLVC Tournament champion, Bellarmine University, was the favorite in the East Division as it received 115 points and 10 first-place votes. Lewis University, the GLVC East Division champion a year ago, garnered 110 points and six first-place votes, while Saint Joseph’s College (81 points) and the University of Indianapolis (62 points) sandwiched USI to round out the top-five picks.

McKendree University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside each garnered 48 points to tie for sixth in the poll, while the University of Illinois Springfield (24 points) rounded out the East Division predictions.

Drury University was the unanimous choice to win the West Division as it claimed 15 first-place votes and 120 points, while Quincy University (103 points and one first-place vote) was picked second.

Truman State University (84 points), Rockhurst University (82 points) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (64 points) rounded out the top five choices, while Maryville University (43 points), William Jewell College (41 points) and Missouri University of Science & Technology (31 points) rounded out the West Division picks.

Included in USI’s returnees are two All-GLVC honorees in senior forward Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) and senior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana). Wascher led USI with 12.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game a year ago, while Marcum averaged 12.0 points and 3.3 assists per contest.

USI opens the 2016-17 season with an exhibition bout versus Butler University November 6 in Indianapolis. The Screaming Eagles begin the regular season versus Roosevelt University November 11 at the Physical Activities Center, while GLVC play starts December 1 when USI visits McKendree University.

The GLVC Championship Tournament (quarterfinals-championship) returns to Evansville and the Ford Center March 2-5, with the women’s games taking place March 3-5.

2016-17 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll – EAST DIVISION

    School (Points/First Place Votes)

1. Bellarmine (115/10)
2. Lewis (110/6)
3. Saint Joseph’s (81)
4. Southern Indiana (80)
5. Indianapolis (62)
6. McKendree (48)

UW-Parkside (48)

8. Illinois Springfield (24)

2016-17 Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll – WEST DIVISION

    School (Points/First Place Votes)

1. Drury            (120/15)
2. Quincy (103/1)
3. Truman State (84)
4. Rockhurst (82)
5. Missouri-St. Louis (64)
6. Maryville (43)
7. William Jewell (41)
8. Missouri S&T (31)