USU women’s basketball much improved in 2015
The Utah State women’s basketball team finished the 2015-2016 season 14-17, a big step up from the 8-23 record of the season before.
While much improved, USU still finished with a losing record and the season ended with a 55-47 loss to Fresno State, the Aggies third loss to the Bulldogs in 18 days.
“It’s frustrating,” said USU head coach Jerry Finkbeiner. “At the same time it’s a classic difference between a senior-junior driven team and a team that’s just trying to get there. We have a high character team. It’s very, very young, and I really look forward to coaching these girls next year.”
Utah State got most of its production from sophomore guard Funda Nakkasoglu. Joining Nakkasoglu in the starting was usually a combination of three freshmen and another sophomore. Occasional starts by senior bigs Julianne Anchling and Tijana Djukic brought some experience to the Aggie roster but most of the games, seniors came off the bench.
Nakkasoglu was the go-to scorer for Utah State. She averaged 20.8 points per game, good enough to be ranked No. 21 nationally. Nakkasoglu was also ranked second in the nation in free throws made, she finished with 197 made out of 224 attempted.
“Coming in I knew teams were going to try to stop me,” Nakkasoglu said after the team’s win over Nevada on Monday. “My teammates helped me a whole lot. They set screens for me, and they run the open lanes for me, which opens the court up for me personally, when I’m coming down in transition.”
Nakkasoglu also finished top 100 in minutes played, minutes per game, total points, field goals made, assists per game, free-throw percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio.
As expected from any young team, the season started off slowly. USU started conference play with a 5-6 record, most of its losses coming from Big Sky teams. Once Mountain West play began, USU gained momentum with each game and ended up winning it’s first game in the MW tournament against Nevada.
“This is a fun group of young ladies,” Finkbeiner said. “We have very little baggage, very little drama. It’s just a good group, it’s fun to coach. It’s fun to see them develop and get this first win in the tournament.”
After the win, Finkbeiner compared his team to UFC fighter Holly Holm, whom the team trained with while on a road trip during the season.
“We don’t want everyone to tap out,” he said. “We had a lot of respect for Holly Holm. She was going down and never did tap out. Conor McGregor, he tapped out. Holly Holm didn’t. Talking about Miesha Tate, how she got Holly in a choke and with all her might didn’t let go. We’re using some of that stuff in the tournament.”
Next year, the Aggies only lose three seniors and bring back two juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen. Five of the freshmen players saw meaningful minutes during the season and in the tournament, which helped to take all the pressure off of Nakkasoglu.
“They get open. They shoot the open layup,” Nakkasoglu said. “They score, and that really helps me, because that means that the other defenders have to go out and play on them, which opens up the court for me.”
As the players around her develop, Nakkasoglu could have an even better season next year while helping the team achieve its goal of winning a conference championship.
“Funda has more players around her than she did last year,” Finkbeiner said after the team beat Wyoming on Feb. 6. “I think the sky is the limit for Funda. This year she averaged 21 points per game. Next year, she can do 26. This year five or six assists. Who knows how high the roof is as we get players around her that play well.”
With Nakkasoglu back and a core of young players around her, it’s safe to say the Aggies won’t be tapping out next season.
— kalen.s.taylor@gmail.com
Twitter: @kalen_taylor