The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Preseason Update
11/3/2011 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 3, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - Eight days before the team's regular-season opener at home, Ole Miss women's basketball head coach Renee Ladner said the team is getting better each day.
Ole Miss opens the regular season hosting North Florida on Friday, November 11 at 11 a.m. The game is the team's annual Kid's Day Game where all kids eighth grade and under get in free.
"We are growing and learning. We like to play fast and this is going to be an up-tempo type team," Ladner said. "If we can learn to run the floor every time, we are going to be able to put a lot of points on the board. We are working on defense and that will be something we work on every day. We are more athletic, we aren't big and bulky, we are long, athletic and lean."
The Rebels return four starters and 10 letterwinners from a year ago and welcome five newcomers. Point guard Valencia McFarland is back with the team after playing with Team USA in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
"Valencia is a special player and she's a special talent," Ladner said. "She means a lot to this basketball team from a point guard perspective running the floor and making everybody better. If you can define her in any capacity you'd have to say she's a winner."
Fans will have a chance to meet the 2011-12 team prior to the LA Tech football game on November 12. The team will be signing posters and handing out schedule cards from 4:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m. in Rebel Fanfare. Rebel Fanfare is located across All-American Drive from the Starnes Center and John Vaught statue on campus.
