Life without all-time leading scorer Julie McBride begins for the Syracuse women’s basketball team Sunday.

When the Orange kicks off its season with an exhibition game against Syracuse AAU at Manley Field House, it looks to its seniors to replace the void left by McBride. The game is scheduled to tip-off at noon.

‘We need to get good production from our seniors,’ said Keith Cieplicki, Syracuse head coach, ‘and we need everybody to be just a little bit better.’

Syracuse wants to work on the areas that plagued it last year – shooting and defense. The Orange shot only 35 percent from the field last year and needs to improve if it wants to succeed, Cieplicki said.

And although the Orange does not expect much trouble from its opponent, the exhibition provides a chance to evaluate other areas in which Syracuse is weak.

Still, the players anticipate the opportunity the new season brings.

‘We have new players, and it’s a totally new environment from last year,’ center Chineze Nwagbo said. ‘The new coaching staff has a year under their belts. I’m really excited to get this season started.’

The new season also brings question marks. Syracuse has yet to set a starting lineup. Cieplicki plans on rotating players and trying different styles of play.

At times, the Orange may push the ball up court and play up-tempo. At others, it may dump the ball into the center or forward and establish an inside presence.

But the main focus for the Orange is playing consistent defense. Syracuse views the AAU game as a precursor to a successful season. Last season, it gave up 66 points per game and only scored 53.

‘We just want to come out as a team and be well prepared,’ Nwagbo said. ‘We want to come out like we do in practice and not let up at all. We’re going to work on our defense, our steals, making the offense change their shots. On offense, we just want to execute.’

It may be hard to execute without McBride and the 16 points a game she brought to Syracuse.

‘With every adjustment, teams have to go through transitions,’ Nwagbo said. ‘It’s a new team, a new environment. Diana Taurasi left UConn. It’s pretty much the same thing (losing McBride). It’s a loss, but at the same time, it’s something that the team benefits from because there are players that will emerge.’

Syracuse is ready to shake the speculation Sunday. Practices have been full of energy and competition. All signs indicate the Orange will take the court ready to get the season off to a fast start.

‘Our focus is always to play hard, to play good team defense, and that hasn’t changed,’ guard Rochelle Coleman said. ‘We’re going to stick to our game plan and don’t let them dictate what we can do. We have to dictate what they do. We’re ready. It’s time to get a game in here.’

Published on November 4, 2004 at 12:00 pm