Three keys to season:
Staying healthy. Colorado will have only 11 available players this season.
Senior center Kara Richards. After playing in the shadow of Jackie McFarland for three years, the 6-foot-4 Richards needs to at least regain her freshman form (9.0 points and 5.3 rebounds).
Sharing point guard duties. With Whitney Houston (ACL) out for the season, several players must take turns with ballhandling responsibilities.
Most improved part of team: Scoring potential from several positions. The backcourt additions of freshman Alyssa Fressle and CSU sophomore transfer Kelly Jo Mullaney provide more options.
Biggest surprise: Julie Seabrook. The 6-3 freshman post from North Vancouver, British Columbia played on Canadian national teams. “Playing internationally, her maturity level is beyond what our expectations were,” McConnell-Miller said.
Who has to take ownership of the team? The veteran trio — seniors Richards and Hannah Skildum and junior Bianca Smith. They have stepped up and assumed the leadership role held for so long by McFarland, who left as the program’s No. 2 all-time scorer.
Game/stretch most worrisome: Like in football, the Big 12 could be the nation’s toughest conference. Eight teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament last March and for the first-time ever, all advanced at least to the second round.
Roster adjustments: CU lost two major contributors before the preseason drills. Houston tore the ACL in her left knee during individual workouts and junior forward Aija Putnina returned to her native Latvia to play professionally.
Coming out strong: After opening with two home games, the Buffs take to the road for a Nov. 24 battle at Virginia, McConnell-Miller’s alma mater. CU could face Minnesota in its Thanksgiving weekend tournament.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
