BadgerBall Spotlight: Freshman Stephanie Rich
December 13, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Freshman guard Stephanie Rich has become a huge contributor to Wisconsin's 8-1 record as the Badgers meet Drake University Thursday at the Kohl Center in the final game before the holiday break. She had her first collegiate start Dec. 8 against No. 10 North Carolina State. Of the current team members, the only players to start during their freshman year were Tamara Moore and Jessie Stomski.
That shows the confidence Coach Jane Albright has in Rich, and the poise the freshman has displayed. In nine games she is averaging 3.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 16 minutes of play. But she is starting because of all the little things she does such as anticipating the steal, instinctively sneaking in for the weak side rebound, or being an effective passer in the offense and hitting the open player with an assist. She is averaging 1.6 assists and has only eight turnovers all year for a very positive 1.75 assist/turnover ratio.
She has proven herself in the big games against nationally ranked opponents hitting two-of-four three pointers against No. 12 Florida and grabbing six rebounds. Against No. 19 Washington, she had her career-high eight points hitting three-of-six from the field. She is second to Kyle Black in three-point shooting with 9-27 for .333 percent.
It is the shooting that, when prodded, Rich admits is her favorite part of the game. See below these excerpts from an interview with Rich. Her comments also reflect her sense of humor.
How many hours a week do you spend shooting'
"I usually go in a half hour before practice, pretty much every day I guess. I just like starting in and doing the form shooting then working my way out. Mark (manager) or Kate (Peterson, assistant coach) rebound for me so I shoot a lot of three-pointers."
What does it feel like to see the ball release and float so perfectly to the goal'
"Oh it's nice, especially at the Kohl Center. It makes a nice sound when it swishes. At the beginning of the year I couldn't shoot. My feet were all messed up, elbow wasn't high enough, and I was shooting it short. So it 's taken a lot of hard work to get it the way I want it, and I think it's getting there."
What is your favorite part of the game'
"Just being part of this. Playing with the girls and knowing that things are going great. We all get along; we have so much fun. And that we're winning. I can't wait for the rest of the year.
When you are playing, what is your favorite part of the game '
"Shooting, (she said laughingly). Hitting the clutch three, or just hitting a three anytime is really a nice feeling."
By missing those four free throws vs. Florida and getting the two rebounds, were you padding your statistics'
"Well, I didn't want us to have to practice the next day so I quickly calculated our rebounds and knew we needed two more. (Coach A promised if they outrebounded Florida they wouldn't have to practice the next day).
Has this collegiate basketball experience been what you have expected '
"Yeah, and more. Everything is so great. The coaches are just like they were when they recruited me. There's no show. They push you hard, but yet they want to know how things are going all the time. Always watching out for your. Same thing with the girls. They love you like a sister and it's a big happy family."
