2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball
NCAA, Sweet Sixteen
ConferenceBig East Conference (1979–2013)|Big East
Ranking
CoachesNo. 15
APNo. 15
Record25-8 (12-4 Big East)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaPetersen Events Center
2008–09 Big East Conference women's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 1 Connecticut†16–0 1.00039–0  1.000
No. 7 Louisville14–2 .87534–5  .872
No. 15 Pittsburgh12–4 .75025–8  .758
No. 23 Notre Dame10–6 .62522–9  .710
DePaul10–6 .62523–10  .697
Villanova10–6 .62519–14  .576
Rutgers9–7 .56321–13  .618
South Florida8–8 .50027–10  .730
Georgetown7–9 .43820–14  .588
Marquette7–9 .43817–16  .515
Syracuse5–11 .31317–15  .531
West Virginia5–11 .31318–15  .545
St. John's4–12 .25019–15  .559
Seton Hall4–12 .25017–14  .548
Providence4–12 .25010–20  .333
Cincinnati3–13 .18814–17  .452
† 2009 Big East tournament winner
As of April 4, 2009[1]
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16". The Panthers were coached by Agnus Berenato. The Panthers are a member of the Big East Conference and played their home games at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Previous season

The 2007-08 Pitt women's basketball went 24-10, tying a program record number of wins set the previous season. Pitt earned its first ever bid to the NCAA women's basketball tournament advancing to the second round where it lost to eventual national champion Tennessee. Pitt finished the season ranked #16 in the Coaches' Poll, its highest finish in the polls for the women up until that point. Center Marcedes Walker and Guards Karlyle Lim and Mallorie Winn finish up their eligibility.

Offseason

  • Agnus Berenato is honored as the Dapper Dan Sportswomen of the Year for 2008-09.[2]
  • Marcedes Walker earns a spot on the WNBA's Houston Comets's roster[3]
  • Pitt hired assistant coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin from the University of Portland to replace departed assistant coach Shea Ralph, who took a position at her alma mater Connecticut.
  • The Pitt women's team took a preseason trip to Europe to play three exhibitions games[4]
  • Shavonte Zellous is named to the State Farm Wade Trophy "Watch List"[5]
  • Seven of the women's team's games are picked up for television, including two appearances on ESPN2[6]
  • Former center Marcedes Walker's jersey is selected to hang in the "Ring of Honor" at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.[7]
  • Shavonte Zellous is named to the preseason All-American teams of Lindy's[8] and the Sporting News.[9]
  • Agnus Berenato's contract is extended to coach the University of Pittsburgh through the 2015-16 season.[10]
  • Shavonte Zellous is a unanimous selection to the pre-season All-Big East team.[11]
  • Shavonte Zellous is named as one of 30 candidates for the John R. Wooden Award.[12]
  • Shavonte Zellous, alongside DeJuan Blair of the Pitt men's team, appears on one of six covers of the Sports Illustrated College Basketball Preview Issue.[13]

Roster

NumberNameHeightPositionClassHometown
22Chelsea Cole6-3ForwardSophomoreLumberton, NJ
10Taneisha Harrison6-0GuardSophomoreBowie, MD
32Selena Nwude6-5CenterSophomore (RS)Riverdale, MD
24Sarah Ogoke5-8GuardFreshmanSugar Land, TX
50Kate Popovec6-3CenterFreshmanCanfield, OH
2Sophronia Sallard5-10Guard/ForwardJunior (RS)Syracuse, NY
25Shayla Scott6-1GuardSophomoreMonroeville, PA
14Jania Sims*5-7GuardJuniorNewark, NJ
33Xenia Stewart6-0GuardSeniorBowie, MD
12Brittaney Thomas5-8GuardJunior (RS)Montgomery, AL
40Shawnice "Pepper" Wilson6-6CenterFreshmanPittsburgh, PA
1Shavonte Zellous5-10GuardSenior (RS)Orlando, FL

*Injured during the first regular season game against Texas A&M and was redshirted.

Schedule and results

DateOpponentLocationTelevisionResultScoreRecord (Conference)
Exhibition
11/05/08vs. Ohio LegendsPetersen Events CenterW73-58
11/11/08Premier PlayersPetersen Events CenterW76-65
Regular Season
11/16/08vs. Texas A&MBaton Rouge, La.
State Farm Tipoff Classic		ESPN2L56-500-1
11/20/08at Western MichiganKalamazoo, Mich.W88-601-1
11/24/08vs. Penn StatePetersen Events Center
Pitt–Penn State rivalry		W80-592-1
11/28/08vs. ElonPetersen Events Center
Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament		W84-493-1
11/29/08vs. Youngstown StatePetersen Events Center
Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament		W99-424-1
12/03/08at DuquesnePittsburgh, Pa.
City Game		W66-475-1
12/07/08vs. MarylandPetersen Events CenterW86-576-1
12/13/08vs. West Virginia StatePetersen Events CenterW85-377-1
12/16/08vs. WagnerPetersen Events CenterW98-418-1
12/19/08at Florida A&MTallahassee, Fla.W89-599-1
12/21/08at FloridaGainesville, Fla.L90-839-2
12/30/08vs. Western KentuckyPetersen Events CenterW93-5010-2
01/04/09vs. West VirginiaPetersen Events Center
Backyard Brawl		ESPNUW72-6311-2 (1-0)
01/07/09at ProvidenceProvidence, R.I.L77-6911-3 (1-1)
01/10/09vs. DePaulPetersen Events CenterBig East TVL69-6211-4 (1-2)
01/17/09vs. USFPetersen Events CenterW79-4712-4 (2-2)
01/20/09at Seton HallSouth Orange, N.J.W76-4013-4 (3-2)
01/24/09at SyracuseSyracuse, N.Y.W77-7514-4 (4-2)
01/27/09at GeorgetownWashington, D.C.W50-3915-4 (5-2)
01/30/09vs. MarquettePetersen Events CenterW86-5416-4 (6-2)
02/03/09vs. Notre DamePetersen Events CenterW82-7017-4 (7-2)
02/10/09at RutgersPiscataway, N.J.CBS College SportsW61-53 (OT)18-4 (8-2)
02/15/09at ConnecticutStorrs, Conn.ESPN2L95-4218-5 (8-3)
02/18/09vs. VillanovaPetersen Events CenterW70-5419-5 (9-3)
02/21/09vs. CincinnatiPetersen Events CenterW68-5320-5 (10-3)
02/24/09at West VirginiaMorgantown, W.Va.
Backyard Brawl		CBS College SportsW72-6021-5 (11-3)
02/28/09at LouisvilleLouisville, Ky.Big East TVL75-5121-6 (11-4)
03/02/09vs. St. John'sPetersen Events CenterW79-6022-6 (12-4)
Big East Women's Basketball Championship
03/08/09vs. DePaulHartford, Conn.
(Big East Quarterfinals)		ESPNUW62-5923-6
03/09/09vs. LouisvilleHartford, Conn.
(Big East Semifinals)		ESPNUL69-6323-7
NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament
03/21/09vs. MontanaSeattle, Wash.
(NCAA First Round)		ESPN2W64-3524-7
03/23/09vs. GonzagaSeattle, Wash.
(NCAA Second Round)		ESPN2W65-6025-7
03/29/09vs. OklahomaOklahoma City, Okla.
(NCAA Regional Quarterfinals)		ESPN2L70-5925-8

Rankings

Ranking Movement
Legend: ██ Improvement in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week. rv=Others receiving votes.
PollPreWk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6Wk 7Wk 8Wk 9Wk 10Wk 11Wk 12Wk 13Wk 14Wk 15Wk 16WK 17Final
AP rv rv rv 24 16 16 19 19 19 rv 25 21 22 19 19 15 14 15 n/a
Coaches 23 rv rv rv 20 19 23 22 20 rv rv 24 24 23 22 20 19 16 15

Team players drafted into the WNBA

RoundPickPlayerWNBA Club
111Shavonte ZellousDetroit Shock

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Big East Conference Standings - 2008-09." ESPN.com. Retrieved 03-23-10.
  2. ↑ "University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  3. ↑ "University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Pitt Women Take Preseason Voyage to Europe, August 8–18 - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Shavonte Zellous Named to Preseason Wade Watch - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Pitt Women's Basketball to Play on Television Seven Times in 2008-09 - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Former Pitt Center Marcedes Walker's Jersey to be Placed in Women's Basketball Hall of Fame - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Shavonte Zellous Named to Lindy's All-America Team - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Shavonte Zellous Named to the Sporting News' Preseason All-America Team - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  10. ↑ "University of Pittsburgh Extends Head Women's Basketball Coach Agnus Berenato's Contract - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Shavonte Zellous Unanimous Selection to Preseason All-Big East Team - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Shavonte Zellous Named John R. Wooden Award Preseason Candidate - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Pitt on Cover of Sports Illustrated College Basketball Preview Issue - PittsburghPanthers.com - University of Pittsburgh Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
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