To say year two under Head Women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor looks drastically different than year one would be an understatement.
On top of bringing in a lot of new and proven faces to the team, she’s been preaching toughness. Coach Taylor explained during SEC Days how this season was going to be much different than the last.
“Our motto is TOUGH: Trust, Ownership, Unity, Gratefulness, and Humility. I think we became last year resilient. ”
“I think we’re coming into this year with a new confidence, with a new sense of understanding about what it takes day in and day out.”
On top of a change in Motto, she brought in several quality transfers that have played a big role in the team being 12-1 heading into SEC play. On top of only losing one game to start the season, they are riding a 10-game winning streak, with their last loss coming against Purdue back on November 16th.
Paired with Janiah Barker, three of the four transfers brought win are averaging double digits in points and Barker and Lauren Ware are a rebound away from averaging double-doubles. Below are the averages from the 5th-ranked transfer class.
Aicha Coulibaly – 11.5 points / 2.3 assists / 2.2 steals / 4.1 rebounds
Lauren Ware – 11.4 points / 2.5 blocks / 9.5 rebounds
Endyia Rogers – 10.5 points / 4.5 assists / 1.4 steals
Kyndall Hunter – injured
All these moves have been paying early dividends and the voters are finally starting to take notice. If they can keep up this pace, they no doubt will be shooting up the rankings as the competition starts to increase once SEC play starts.
Below, you can check out some of the best highlights from their last win.