BOULDER — Kathy McConnell-Miller marvels over how her previously inconsistent Colorado team transformed into a confident squad in the span of three weeks.
All-Big 12 forward Jackie McFarland is walking on air (and averaging 27.7 points) since the double-teaming of the conference battles all but disappeared.
“As a team we’ve been able to step up and play well together, it’s not so much forcing it inside,” McFarland said Tuesday after practice for tonight’s WNIT semifinal game against Marquette.
Buffs point guard Whitney Houston has newfound confidence, committing just one turnover in two games, compared to seven in the previous two contests.
“When you end the Big 12 season in Kansas City and saw the way they struggled (in a 76-50 first-round loss to Iowa State), the way they’ve grown in the last few weeks is such a blessing,” McConnell-Miller said. “That’s the biggest change. There’s not a lot of time there but they are a new team.”
CU announced that students will be admitted free to tonight’s game. Renee Carlson, assistant director of the WNIT produced by Fort Collins-based Triple Crown Sports, said fan and athletic department support determine home court designation.
WNIT officials will announce after tonight’s game the site for Saturday’s championship game. North Carolina State is at Michigan State tonight in the other semifinal.
If the Buffs are to advance one more game, they might consider scrapping the slow starts, but that’s part of the fun and confidence building for the current run. CU came back from an 11-point second-half deficit against Villanova and survived TCU’s 20-4 start to win in overtime Sunday.
“We’re maturing together as a team,” Houston said.
McFarland was one of three area athletes named as honorable mention to The Associated Press All-America team. Wyoming senior forward Hanna Zavecz and Highland Ranch’s Abby Waner, who just finished her junior season at Duke, also garnered mention.
While conceding an NCAA appearance is the measure for a successful season, McConnell-Miller said, “It’s very beneficial for us right now to have gone to the Final Four of the WNIT than to go to the NCAA Tournament and possibly be one and done.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
