2008–09 Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 2008–09 Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball
team represented Texas A&M University
in NCAA Division I women's college basketball
.
and AP Poll
, respectively. The Big 12 coaches picked the squad to finish 5th in the conference, behind first-place favorite Oklahoma, followed by Texas, Iowa State, and Baylor. Athlon Sports ranked the Aggies 4th in their preseason poll, while Lindy's poll placed them 11th. A Sports Illustrated
writer also ranked the team 11th in her power rankings.
also made the preseason all-Big 12 team, and Danielle Gant received honorable mention.
Sporting News included Starks in its preseason All-American first-team. Starks became the first player in school history to be named a preseason first-team All-American. She also made the 25-member Wade Trophy
preseason watch list. In addition, she is also one of the 30 John R. Wooden Award
candidates.
In October 2008, Gant received the Academic Momentum Award, presented by The Scholar-Baller Program, a partner of National Consortium for Academics and Sports. The award is given to student-athletes who have "demonstrated significant academic improvement throughout their collegiate careers".
received her first honor for the week of December 22–January 4. Danielle Gant got her first for the week of January 5–11. After posting 11 points in a career-high 31 minutes of play against Oklahoma, and a game-high and career-high of 17 points at Kansas State, Sydney Carter grabbed the weekly honor for the week of February 23–March 1.
Upon defeating New Mexico 83–51, the Aggies set a school record for the largest margin of victory in a home game over a ranked opponent. The previous record was 19, which was compiled in the 2007–08 home matchup against Baylor.
Two players—Damitria Buchanan and Katrina Limbaha—made the 2008–09 Academic All-Big 12 women's basketball team. Both made the first team as they had a GPA greater than 3.20.
Starks became the all-time leading scorer of A&M after posting 19 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
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Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball
The Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball team represents Texas A&M University in NCAA Division I women's basketball. The team has been coached by Gary Blair since 2003. The Aggies play home games at Reed Arena, a 12,500-capacity arena in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A&M.The Aggies...
team represented Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
in NCAA Division I women's college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
.
Preseason outlook
The team placed 10th and 11th in the preseason Coaches PollCoaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
and AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
, respectively. The Big 12 coaches picked the squad to finish 5th in the conference, behind first-place favorite Oklahoma, followed by Texas, Iowa State, and Baylor. Athlon Sports ranked the Aggies 4th in their preseason poll, while Lindy's poll placed them 11th. A Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
writer also ranked the team 11th in her power rankings.
Recruiting
During the early signing period in November 2008, the Aggies signed Diamond Ashmore, Adrienne Pratcher, Kristi Bellock, and Cierra Windham. As of November 20, 2008, ESPN Hoopgurlz ranks the recruiting class 7th nationally.Preseason honors
The Big 12 coaches selected Tanisha Smith as the Preseason Newcomer of the Year, and Tyra White as the Preseason co-Freshman of the Year. Takia StarksTakia Starks
Takia Nicole Starks is a shooting guard for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League. She played college basketball at Texas A&M...
also made the preseason all-Big 12 team, and Danielle Gant received honorable mention.
Sporting News included Starks in its preseason All-American first-team. Starks became the first player in school history to be named a preseason first-team All-American. She also made the 25-member Wade Trophy
Wade Trophy
The Wade Trophy is an award presented annually to the best women's basketball player in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I competition. It is named after three–time national champion Delta State University coach Lily Margaret Wade. The award debuted in 1978 as the first–ever...
preseason watch list. In addition, she is also one of the 30 John R. Wooden Award
John R. Wooden Award
The John R. Wooden Award is an award given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players. The program consists of the men's and women's Player of the Year awards, the Legends of Coaching award and recognizes the All–America Teams.The awards, given by the Los...
candidates.
In October 2008, Gant received the Academic Momentum Award, presented by The Scholar-Baller Program, a partner of National Consortium for Academics and Sports. The award is given to student-athletes who have "demonstrated significant academic improvement throughout their collegiate careers".
Season accolades
Tyra White received the Big 12 Freshman of the Week honor for the week of November 14–16. Adaora Elonu received the same honor for the week of November 17–23, and Sydney Carter got the co-honor for the week of November 24–30. Elonu picked up her second honor for the week of December 1–7, and got another co-honor for the week of December 15–21. Takia StarksTakia Starks
Takia Nicole Starks is a shooting guard for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League. She played college basketball at Texas A&M...
received her first honor for the week of December 22–January 4. Danielle Gant got her first for the week of January 5–11. After posting 11 points in a career-high 31 minutes of play against Oklahoma, and a game-high and career-high of 17 points at Kansas State, Sydney Carter grabbed the weekly honor for the week of February 23–March 1.
Upon defeating New Mexico 83–51, the Aggies set a school record for the largest margin of victory in a home game over a ranked opponent. The previous record was 19, which was compiled in the 2007–08 home matchup against Baylor.
Two players—Damitria Buchanan and Katrina Limbaha—made the 2008–09 Academic All-Big 12 women's basketball team. Both made the first team as they had a GPA greater than 3.20.
Starks became the all-time leading scorer of A&M after posting 19 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Schedule
|-!colspan=9| Exhibition
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!colspan=9| Regular season
|-
!colspan=9| Big 12 Tournament
|-
!colspan=9| NCAA Tournament