Coach Nell Fortner is busy putting the finishing touches on this year's women's basketball team after falling short of the NCAA Tournament last year.
"Last year was somewhat of a disappointment for us after not making the NCAA Tournament after being granted a spot to host it, so these kids are hungry," Fortner said.
She said that disappointment has shown in improvements on and off the court.
"The team chemistry really determines on how well your team will do that season," Fortner said. "They have worked extremely hard during the offseason, and we have a lot of experience coming back."
Auburn is young, however, with only three returning seniors on the team this year: guard Morgan Jennings, guard Parrisha Simmons and forward/center Chantel Hilliard.
Because of this, Fortner said many players will need to produce.
Sophomore forward Jassany Williams gained a lot of experience last year, so Fortner said she expects a good year from her.
Fortner also said she thinks sophomore guard Courtney Strain can take the team to the next level.
"(Strain) doesn't have the 3-point range that Blanche (Alverson) and Camille (Glymph) do, but she has such a quick release," Fortner said. "I feel good about that experience coming back with that young freshman class."
Freshman guard Hasina Muhammad is a new addition creating buzz in the gym.
The Memphis native averaged 17.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 3.9 blocks and 2.6 steals per game as a high school senior.
"Hasina fits in very well," Hilliard said. "She listens to coach Fortner and everybody else every day. We can tell her something and she responds very well to it. We can tell her to change her feet in play, and the next time she remembers and does it on her own."
Two major changes will affect the team the most this season. The first is a new defensive package.
"The first few days of practice we have just worked on getting the fundamental of the defense down and making sure that we have the technique right," Alverson said. "We have had a lot of repetition of the plays to make sure that we are comfortable with it."
Fortner said the defense focuses on putting pressure on the ball in an attempt to force opponents out of their comfort zone.
The other major change will affect every NCAA women's basketball team this year. The 3-point line has been moved back a foot to the equivalent of the men's line.
"If you don't have those bombers on the team, it will make a difference," Fortner said. "We have worked hard with our post players during the offseason, so with the line being moved back and people with the ability to hit that three from that far out, it will open up the inside for us."
Auburn hosts its only exhibition Sunday against Georgia College and State University at 2 p.m. The Tigers don't play a regular-season home game until Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. against Belmont.
With two weeks remaining before taking the court in the Nov. 11 season opener against Mercer, Fortner said she believes this year's team may be good enough to make the NCAA Tournament.
"I have never really been a conservative coach in saying what we want, but I do believe it is," Fortner said. "As far as their attitude goes, I believe we can take it to that place, and that is the emphasis--we want to be in that NCAA Tournament."
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