Long Island
The Gail Striegler era tips off at Long Island. The former UCF head coach hopes to continue the Blackbirds' winning ways of late, but must find a way to do so without the services of the top three scorers from last year's NEC runner-up squad. Long Island lost a total of 1200 points from the departing trio that accounted for more than 60 percent of the team's entire offensive output (1970 points). Especially worrisome is the fact that the Blackbirds (61.6 ppg), although efficient, weren't one of the league's top scoring teams to begin with last season. On the contrary, the Blackbirds return plenty of grit and athleticism from the NEC's No. 1 scoring defense (54.8 ppg).
All-Rookie choice Chelsi Johnson (8.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg) will likely see her responsibilities increase with the loss of former NEC Player of the Year Val Nainima. Johnson, a 2008 NEC All-Tournament Team member, posted three double-doubles as a rookie, including 12 points and 14 rebounds during a NEC semifinal upset of Quinnipiac that sent the Blackbirds to their first NEC Championship Game since 2002. Junior Connie James (6.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg) is an experienced, durable option at point guard, having averaged a team-high 34.8 minutes per game last season. Having made a team-high 54 steals last season, James is an accomplished defender with quickness and tenacity. Freshman Ashley Palmer, who redshirted last season, should help in the scoring department amongst others. A quick player with size, Palmer naturally poses a match-up problem for a number of NEC defenses. Justine Stevenson, a sophomore forward, came on strong during the second half of her rookie campaign for the NEC runner-up Blackbirds. Stevenson scored 14 points and added three rebounds in 20 minutes of action during the NEC championship game at Robert Morris. Helping LIU reach the final, she tallied eight points and three boards in a semifinal victory over top-seeded Quinnipiac.
LIU by the Numbers
Quick Facts
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Letterwinners R/L: 8/7
2007-08 Record: 24-8
NEC Record/Place: 13-5/4th
NEC Tournament: Lost to Final to No. 2 Robert Morris
Overall Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 24-8
Last Two Years: 46-17
Last Three Years: 60-32
Last Four Years: 69-50
NEC Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 13-5
Last Two Years: 28-8
Last Three Years: 39-15
Last Four Years: 44-28
RPI Nat'l Rank/Conf. Standing
2007-08: 92/2nd
2006-07: 147/3rd
Leading Returning Scorers
Chelsi Johnson: 8.0 ppg
Connie James: 6.7 ppg
Justine Stevenson: 3.0 ppg
Leading Returning Rebounders
Chelsi Johnson: 7.7 rpg
Connie James: 6.1 rpg
Justine Stevenson: 2.1 rpg