The Duke women's basketball team begins its season Sunday as the host of the 2001 State Farm Women's Tip-off Classic. Ranked fourth in the nation, the Blue Devils will face off against another elite school, seventh-ranked Texas Tech.
"I think this is going to be an unbelievable test for us," Duke coach Gail Goestenkors said. "There's a part of me that would like to ease into the schedule, but there's another part that's just real excited and can't wait to play a team that's as experienced and as talented and as well-coached as Texas Tech."
Goestenkors feels the two teams closely resemble one another, particularly in their youth. The Red Raiders' Amber Tarr will be the only senior starting Sunday, as both teams rely heavily on underclassmen.
"I think we both have outstanding young talent," Goestenkors said. "We don't have senior leadership yet, but we're developing our leadership with our young players."
Foremost among the two teams' collection of youth is Duke's highly acclaimed Alana Beard, a preseason All-American. The sophomore phenom exuded confidence
"It's exciting," Beard said. "We're playing a top team in the country our first game out. It's going to show us what we're made of. It's going to show us what we need to work on as a team."
Beard dismissed the notion that such difficult competition so early in the season could be detrimental to the relatively inexperienced Blue Devils.
"In order for us to compete with other teams we have to play the best," Beard said. "In order for us to make the Final Four, we need to play the best."
Although only a sophomore, Beard's prodigious talents have awed national publications and opposing head coaches alike, including Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp.
"I can't tell you how impressed I am with her," Sharp said. "She's just so explosive and can do so many things."
Despite the swarm of media hype that has surrounded her, Beard isn't concerned over the lofty expectations that accompany such national recognition.
"I'm not worried about it," she said. "There is no kind of pressure on me. I just love the game of basketball, and I just love to get out here and play with my other teammates."
Sunday's game against the Red Raiders will mark the debuts of Duke's two much anticipated freshmen, Monique Currie and Wynter Whitley. Both players expect to play significant minutes, and Whitley will probably start.
In her first action as a Blue Devil, last week's exhibition against Dynamo-Moscow, Whitney did not have a stellar game, scoring only four points on 2-of-9 shooting. However, the freshman forward felt that the experience she gained playing against the experienced Russians will serve her well Sunday.
"Hopefully, I'll know what to expect a little bit more," she said.
Furthermore, Sunday's nationally televised matchup against the perennial power will represent a significant transition for Whitley, as she moves from past spectator to current participant.
"It is weird, of course I've seen Texas Tech play on TV," Whitley said. "I'd see them do things and say Otheir not that good,' so now it's my time to size them up."
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