Bates poised to lead Pirates
Hampton University women at a glance
Last year: 16-14, 12-6 (3rd) Coach: David Six (11th season, 214-106)
Season opener: at Alabama, 8 p.m.
Strengths
The Lady Pirates return the Big South’s Preseason Player of the Year in guard Ashley Bates (17.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), who was third nationally in steals with 4.3 per game. She can dominate the game on both ends of the floor. Also back is guard Lauren VanArsdale (15.7 ppg, 3 apg), who started all 30 games in her Big South Freshman of the Year season. Also back: guards Mahaley Holit (8.4 ppg) and K’lynn Willis, a three-year starter who redshirted last season with a leg injury.
Weaknesses
Last season, Hampton was 334th out of 349 Division I teams in rebounding margin at minus-7.4 per game. And that was with 6-2 center Kaylah Lupoe, who led the team with 6.4 boards a game. The Lady Pirates also will miss Lupoe’s defensive presence in the post, where she blocked 76 shots last season. Nylah Young, who averaged 29.5 points and 13 rebounds a game last season at King’s Fork, could make an immediate impact.
Prediction
Wednesday
With the Preseason Player of the Year and 2018-19’s Rookie of the Year returning, Hampton was a solid No. 2 pick behind Radford (and had three firstplace votes). The Lady Pirates could be right there with the Highlanders if they improve on the boards. Their quickness will have to make up for a lack of size.
6: at Alabama, 8 p.m.; 9: at Tennessee Chattanooga, 2 p.m.; 14: Florida Atlantic, 7 p.m.; 18: at Furman, 7 p.m.
7: Norfolk State, 4 p.m.; 14: Liberty, 7 p.m.; 19: vs. Mount St. Mary’s, 7 p.m. (Norfolk); 20: at Old Dominion, 5 p.m.; 21: vs. Richmond, 4 p.m. (Norfolk); 28: at Winthrop, 2 p.m.; 31: UNC Asheville, noon.
4: Gardner-Webb, 4 p.m.; 6: at Presbyterian, 6 p.m.; 9: Radford, 7 p.m.; 11: Campbell, 4 p.m.; 14: USC Upstate, 7 p.m.; 18: at Charleston, 3 p.m.; 25: High Point, 4 p.m.; 28: Longwood, 7 p.m.
1: at UNC Asheville, 2 p.m.; 4: at High Point, 7 p.m.; 8: at Gardner-Webb, 3 p.m.; 11: Winthrop, 7 p.m.; 15: at Longwood, 3 p.m.; 18: at USC Upstate, 6 p.m.; 22: Presbyterian, 5 p.m.; 29: Charleston Southern, 2:30 p.m.
4: at Campbell, 7 p.m.; 7: at Radford, 2 p.m. 10, 12-13, 15: Big South Tournament.