01-26-2010, 12:09 AM
UC long way from UConn for Elliott
First-year head coach faces challenges rebuilding Bearcats
By Jeff Wallner • Enquirer contributor • January 25, 2010
![[Image: bilde?Site=AB&Date=20100125&...mp;title=0]](http://cmsimg.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20100125&Category=SPT0101&ArtNo=301250066&Ref=AR&Profile=1062&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0)
The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger
Said UC coach Jamelle Elliott: “Hopefully we get to the point where we’re not only competitive against teams like UConn, but we win those games. First you have to establish a foundation by recruiting quality players. Then you get them invested in the program. Right now, I’m enjoying the journey.”
This is uncharted territory for University of Cincinnati women’s basketball coach Jamelle Elliott.
Elliott, who spent 16 years as a player and coach at the University of Connecticut, where she contributed to six national championships and three undefeated seasons, is attempting to rebuild a Bearcats program picked to finish last this season in the Big East Conference.
Despite a roster reduced to just eight available players, Elliott has managed to keep UC competitive, as evidenced by a four-point loss last week to No. 19 Georgetown.
“I want to look back after every game and be able to say we’re getting better,” Elliott said. “I want our players to work hard and get better every day. Right now our goal is to stay in games as long as possible.”
The Bearcats cruised to a 64-47 victory at Seton Hall on Saturday, improving their record to 9-9, 2-4 in the Big East. UC plays at De Paul on Wednesday.
Elliott went 99-7 in her final three seasons as a player for the Huskies. As both a player and assistant coach, she participated in just 54 losses in 16 seasons at UConn, five fewer than UC lost the past four years.
But Elliott says losing, sparse crowds, and a lack of overall depth are just a few of the unfamiliar obstacles she’s experienced in her first season at the helm.
“I’m a first-year head coach,” Elliott said. “Everything is new to me. There are challenges to overcome. But, it’s all a little different.”
This has been a season of attrition for the Bearcats who began practice with just 10 players on their roster. Recent injuries have reduced that number further.
In its near-upset of the Hoyas, UC used just six players.
Among the absences are senior guard Shelly Bellman, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Freshman forward Daress McClung is out until mid-February with an injury. And freshman Bryonna Snow played in just six games before being shelved for unspecified reasons.
As a result, Elliott is depending on a handful of her starters to log considerable minutes, something they’ve had no problem doing.
Kahla Roudebush (35.7) and Michelle Jones (35.1) rank among the top 10 in the Big East in minutes played. Shareese Ulis and Carla Jacobs average more than 31 minutes per game.
Jones, a Mount Notre Dame grad, scored a season-high 21 points in Saturday’s win at Seton Hall.
Roudebush leads the Bearcats with 13.1 points per game and 36 made 3-pointers.
UC averages 56.6 points per game, with three players accounting for more than half that total.
“I knew I was going to depend on Kahla even before the season started,” said Elliott. “She’s our top returning scorer. But I depend on her for leadership as well. I’m asking a few of our players to play a lot of minutes, and I couldn’t be more proud of their effort.”
Elliott would rather not use UConn as a primary measuring stick for the Bearcats’ progress, considering the Huskies are one of college sports’ elite programs.
The Bearcats faced Elliott’s former team on Jan. 7, losing 83-51 at UConn.
Despite the fact that they’re now conference rivals, Elliott said she remains in close contact with Huskies coach and former boss, Geno Auriemma.
“He still returns my calls,” Elliott said, with a laugh.
UConn finished 18-11 in 1992-93, Elliott’s freshman year.
She said the Huskies experienced similar growing pains before developing into a hoops juggernaut.
“Hopefully we get to the point where we’re not only competitive against teams like UConn, but we win those games,” Elliott said. “First you have to establish a foundation by recruiting quality players. Then you get them invested in the program. Right now, I’m enjoying the journey.”
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100...new+legacy
First-year head coach faces challenges rebuilding Bearcats
By Jeff Wallner • Enquirer contributor • January 25, 2010
The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger
Said UC coach Jamelle Elliott: “Hopefully we get to the point where we’re not only competitive against teams like UConn, but we win those games. First you have to establish a foundation by recruiting quality players. Then you get them invested in the program. Right now, I’m enjoying the journey.”
This is uncharted territory for University of Cincinnati women’s basketball coach Jamelle Elliott.
Elliott, who spent 16 years as a player and coach at the University of Connecticut, where she contributed to six national championships and three undefeated seasons, is attempting to rebuild a Bearcats program picked to finish last this season in the Big East Conference.
Despite a roster reduced to just eight available players, Elliott has managed to keep UC competitive, as evidenced by a four-point loss last week to No. 19 Georgetown.
“I want to look back after every game and be able to say we’re getting better,” Elliott said. “I want our players to work hard and get better every day. Right now our goal is to stay in games as long as possible.”
The Bearcats cruised to a 64-47 victory at Seton Hall on Saturday, improving their record to 9-9, 2-4 in the Big East. UC plays at De Paul on Wednesday.
Elliott went 99-7 in her final three seasons as a player for the Huskies. As both a player and assistant coach, she participated in just 54 losses in 16 seasons at UConn, five fewer than UC lost the past four years.
But Elliott says losing, sparse crowds, and a lack of overall depth are just a few of the unfamiliar obstacles she’s experienced in her first season at the helm.
“I’m a first-year head coach,” Elliott said. “Everything is new to me. There are challenges to overcome. But, it’s all a little different.”
This has been a season of attrition for the Bearcats who began practice with just 10 players on their roster. Recent injuries have reduced that number further.
In its near-upset of the Hoyas, UC used just six players.
Among the absences are senior guard Shelly Bellman, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Freshman forward Daress McClung is out until mid-February with an injury. And freshman Bryonna Snow played in just six games before being shelved for unspecified reasons.
As a result, Elliott is depending on a handful of her starters to log considerable minutes, something they’ve had no problem doing.
Kahla Roudebush (35.7) and Michelle Jones (35.1) rank among the top 10 in the Big East in minutes played. Shareese Ulis and Carla Jacobs average more than 31 minutes per game.
Jones, a Mount Notre Dame grad, scored a season-high 21 points in Saturday’s win at Seton Hall.
Roudebush leads the Bearcats with 13.1 points per game and 36 made 3-pointers.
UC averages 56.6 points per game, with three players accounting for more than half that total.
“I knew I was going to depend on Kahla even before the season started,” said Elliott. “She’s our top returning scorer. But I depend on her for leadership as well. I’m asking a few of our players to play a lot of minutes, and I couldn’t be more proud of their effort.”
Elliott would rather not use UConn as a primary measuring stick for the Bearcats’ progress, considering the Huskies are one of college sports’ elite programs.
The Bearcats faced Elliott’s former team on Jan. 7, losing 83-51 at UConn.
Despite the fact that they’re now conference rivals, Elliott said she remains in close contact with Huskies coach and former boss, Geno Auriemma.
“He still returns my calls,” Elliott said, with a laugh.
UConn finished 18-11 in 1992-93, Elliott’s freshman year.
She said the Huskies experienced similar growing pains before developing into a hoops juggernaut.
“Hopefully we get to the point where we’re not only competitive against teams like UConn, but we win those games,” Elliott said. “First you have to establish a foundation by recruiting quality players. Then you get them invested in the program. Right now, I’m enjoying the journey.”
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100...new+legacy