Marlene Stollings is ready to move forward.

In her second year at the helm of the Texas Tech women’s basketball team, Stollings feels she’s laid the foundation for what is expected to be another upward trend.

It would certainly be welcomed as the Lady Raiders had not seen much improvement in the win column until Stollings and her staff rolled into Lubbock and changed the culture from a program which had been down the last several year.

“Couple of things that stand out for us is, No. 1: we established a culture of accountability, work ethic, discipline – all those things was a major accomplishment in our first year,” Stollings said. “The wins and losses, we do look at as a win in terms of we had the second-biggest BCS turnaround in the nation – win-loss wise behind Clemson.”

The biggest change, at least on the court, was Texas Tech beginning to push the pace and spread the floor to allow for 3-point shooters to take in-rhythm shots which did equate to a 14-17 overall record and 4-14 mark in Big 12 play – a notable increase from 7-23 overall and 1-17 in conference the year prior.

The Lady Raiders return a core group of players, consisting of Brittany Brewer, Chrislyn Carr and Sydney Goodson along with sit-out players Lexi Gordon and Andrayah Adams.

Carr, the reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, is looking to continue her progression into a Player of the Year candidate. In her first season, the Davenport, Iowa, native averaged 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 31 contests played – logging 30 starts.

Goodson developed into a solid long-range threat, shooting at a 38 percent clip from the three-point line to go along with averaging 10.9 points, five rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

“Once you’re recognized on that elite level, there are no secrets,” Stollings said of Carr. “Everybody is coming for. Some of the players in the conference thought they should have won it instead of her. There’s that competitive factor.”

Brewer also learned the spotlight is beginning to shine on her, as well, following a summer in which she competed with Team USA as part of the Pan American Games squad. The Abilene, Texas, native netted 16.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks as she started and played in every game last season.

“I looked at Brittany almost like a freshman for us last season,” Stollings said of Brewer, her lone senior. “In terms of things we were introducing to her were new and foreign. And look at what she did in one year with that. We’re looking for even bigger thing here, obviously, in our second year with her.”

The same could be said for Gordon and Adams, who transferred from UCONN and St. John’s University respectively. The duo is expected to help spread out defenses with their ability to knock down shots and makes passes in transition.

Put it all together and Stollings feels like she has the recipe for becoming competitive in the Big 12 Conference and, potentially, reaching the NCAA Tournament in the future.

Preseason MVP:
Brittany Brewer. In her final season, Brewer is off to a fast start following a summer in which she was part of the U.S. Pan American women’s basketball team. The potential double-double machine will be a linchpin on both sides of the court.

Game of the Year: Texas Tech vs. Texas
The Lady Raiders need to see where they stand in the conference against one of its biggest rivals.

Impact First-Year Player:
Lexi Gordon, Jr.