The Northwestern women’s basketball team will be taking care of business in the gym – and having fun in the sun – during Thanksgiving break.
The Wildcats head to Florida to play Miami on Wednesday, then participate in the Florida International Invitational over the weekend, playing Florida International and Monmouth.
Head coach June Olkowski expects the toughest competition from Florida International, which, despite a 91-47 loss to Connecticut earlier this season, she considers the “best team we’ll play down there.”
The team is made up of international players, most of whom are older and more experienced than the NU players. In particular, Golden Panthers 6-foot-8 center Silvia Mesa should challenge NU’s young post players in the blocks.
Miami will also be a challenge for the Cats — Olkowski said they are an extremely athletic squad that graduated only one starter last season.
Work for the coaching staff will extend beyond the three games NU plays in Florida — Olkowski and assistant coach Cleve Wright will be working overtime, recruiting several high school players on the trip.
However, the trip will not be all work and no play for the Cats. The team plans to see the sights, going on a “Crocodile Cruise” boat tour and heading to South Beach on Saturday for a night on the town.
“It’s always fun to go on your big trip of the year,” sophomore Michelle Zylstra said. “Last year it was weird not to be home for Thanksgiving, but you get used to it. And it’s good we’re close as a team, so we have fun together.”
The Cats will eat Thanksgiving dinner at their hotel.
“That’s the hardest time on the road,” Olkowski said. “Nothing tastes like a home-cooked meal, but for a basketball player it’s the norm. It’s what we do at this time of the year.”
Olkowski has not spent a Thanksgiving at home since before her college career at Rutgers started in 1978. Before Thanksgiving she holds a turkey-naming contest with her family and her team.
“Everyone picks a name for the turkey,” Olkowski said. “My nieces and nephews and my kids — my players — and then I pick the winner. It’s the way I stay close to my family during the holidays.”
It is doubtful that the Cats will have an opportunity to miss home during their packed week.
NU practiced Monday morning and traveled Monday afternoon. They will practice today, play Wednesday, practice Thursday, play Friday and Saturday, fly home Sunday morning and practice Sunday afternoon.
NU is 0-1 this season after a heartbreaking 68-63 loss in its season opener against Northern Illinois on Sunday. The Cats worked on their transition offense and defense — two problem areas from Sunday’s game — in Monday’s practice, then watched and discussed film of the Northern Illinois game.
“We want to get that done with,” Olkowski said. “Looking at the film, we made a lot of unforced turnovers, but we’re improving. Our defense is getting better, and all the problems I saw are correctable.”
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Hoopsters to remain busy over weekend
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3 games, recruiting, turkey on NU’s slate
