CHICAGO – The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference announced its women’s basketball preseason coaches’ poll on Wednesday with IU South Bend women’s basketball picked to finish third after a record breaking 2019-20 season.
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The Titans return to the court after going 25-7 overall with a conference record of 16-6. After the first 20 plus win season since the 2013-14 season, the team fought past the Saint Ambrose Fighting Bees in a double overtime win during the CCAC Tournament Quarterfinals before falling to No. 6 nationally ranked Saint Xavier in the semifinals.
Head coach Steve Bruce enters his 15th season at the helm of IUSB, who returns four starters and adds Huntington transfer Sara Doi who looks to make an immediate impact on the floor for the Titans.
IUSB graduated Taylor Wesley and sharp shooter Kyleigh Kubik who ended the 2019-20 season ranked No. 15 in Division II for 3-point field goal percentage (0.420) from last year’s squad.
Sophomore Maddie Gard looks to lead the Crimson & Cream after leading the way last year, averaging 13.72 points and 2.28 steals per contest. Gard scored a career-high of 33 points in the double overtime win against Saint Ambrose. Gard’s grand freshman debut earned her All-CCAC second team after leading the conference in field goal percentage (.530) which placed the Oak Creek, Wis. native at No. 16 in the country.
IU South Bend hosts Judson in its non-conference season-opener on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Conference play is slated to begin on Saturday, Jan. 2 at Holy Cross after the league’s announcement to transition to a 14-game schedule.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to keep our Titan community safe, Indiana University South Bend athletics will not allow visiting team fans at indoor home events until further notice. Each IU South Bend basketball and volleyball teams will receive a 25-person pass list per each home event inside the Student Activities Center.
All fans are encouraged to consider cheering on the Titans via video streaming on Regional Radio Sports Network. While IU South Bend will welcome a select number of fans, we also want to be mindful of the health and safety of our community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. RRSN will broadcast all home basketball and volleyball contests during the 2020-21 season and will also be available to watch on demand.
2020-21 Preseason Rankings (first place votes)
Saint Francis (9)
Saint Xavier (1)
IU South Bend (1)
Olivet Nazarene (1)
St. Ambrose
IU Northwest
Governors State
Trinity International
Cardinal Stritch
Trinity Christian
Holy Cross
Lincoln
Roosevelt
Judson
Calumet St. Joseph