Expect the unexpected.

At least that is what head coach Ron Vlasin said about the 2004-05 Northern Colorado women's basketball team as they embark on the upcoming season.

"Hopefully we can play with the teams we have scheduled this season," Vlasin said. "I think with the level of inconsistency still in the women's game we can step up and win some games we should not be expected to win."

But in the same breath, Vlasin said there will be growing pains along the way.

"We are still relatively inexperienced at this level," Vlasin said. "This is only our second year of playing Division I basketball and we are still on a very steep learning curve. There will be some games when we will look very good and we are clicking in all aspects of the game. And on the flip side of that there are going to be games when we are simply not so good."

Vlasin said there are going to be three keys to winning games this season. Vlasin said UNC has to get at least 16 free throws a game, 10 baskets in the paint and hoist 40 three-pointers.

"If we get those three things every game then we should score enough points to be in the game and have a shot to get a victory," Vlasin said.

That being said, Vlasin then pointed to the schedule the Bears will playing and realized those goals may not be enough against all of the Bears' opponents on the docket this year.

"We are going Division I so we figured we might as well go out and play all comers," Vlasin said. "It's not easy to schedule as a Division I independent and in some cases we probably ended up with some top-notch teams that are out of our league."

Among those teams that are very likely out of the Bears' league at this time include NCAA tournament teams from last season Maryland and Colorado. Five other opponents also played in the WNIT last season and they include: Nebraska, Drake, Iowa State, Colorado State and UNLV.

"We want to go out and compete against the best teams in the country and see where we stack up," Vlasin said. "The best way to see where we stand is to play those types of teams. We want to step up to the challenge and play up to their level of competition."

Backcourt

One of the biggest keys to the Bears' success this season will hinge on the backcourt and their ability to limit turnovers.

"If we take care of the basketball then we will have a chance to be in games late," Vlasin said. "Turnovers will put you in duress more than anything in the game of basketball. I think we have improved skill-wise in the off-season with our ball-handling. Now the test will be if we have improved enough against the level of competition we will be competing against this season."

Heading the list of backcourt returnees are a pair of sophomore point guards that will battle it out for the starting slot.

Jena Fosdick

Bailey Dillon and Jena Fosdick split time last season as true freshmen leading the offense.

Dillon started 26 of 27 games last season and averaged 5.1 points per game and dished out 118 assists (4.8 per game).

Fosdick saw most of her time last season coming off the bench as she started in 11 games but did play in all 27 contests. Fosdick averaged 6.4 points per game and ranked third on the team with 61 assists.

The two-guard or shooting guard spot will come down to a battle of three players looking for time on the court.

Heading the list of shooting guards is the Bears' lone senior in Kayla Flavin. Flavin started 17 games last season before tearing her ACL in the second half of the Fort Hays State game on Jan. 24. Flavin averaged 10.3 points per game before her injury.

"Kayla will provide plenty of leadership this season being our only senior," Vlasin said. "She always sets a good example on and off the court for our younger players. We are hoping she can get back to full strength after her knee surgery."

Sophomore Kendra Lambrecht will push Flavin for her starting position and could even supplant her as the starter if she continues to progress on the defensive end of the court.

Lambrecht played in all 27 games as a true freshman and averaged 5.0 points per game. Lambrecht drilled 25 three-pointers last season and provides for instant offense when she's on the court.

"We need Kendra to step up her play and be a good defensive player," Vlasin said.

Sophomore Erin Robben will also look for playing time and will see more and more of the court if she can stay healthy.

Robben played in six games last season and recorded a career-high 18 points on 6-of-10 three-point shooting against Johnson & Wales.

"Erin is a really good shooter and has a lot of potential," Vlasin said.

Three newcomers to the program could also see time this season in the backcourt. Freshmen Candace Buttars, Amy Martinson and Bresha Smith could find themselves in the mix in the backcourt. Vlasin indicated all three could redshirt this season if the players ahead of them on the depth chart continue to play well and stay healthy.

Frontcourt

The frontcourt will have a lot of recognizable faces leading the Bears into competition this season.

Heather Barbour

One of the players Vlasin is most looking forward to having back in the mix is sophomore Heather Barbour.

Barbour provided a lot of athleticism as a true freshman and started 11 of her 13 games before going down with a foot injury in late December.

Barbour averaged 11.4 points per game and grabbed 5.0 rebounds per contest.

"We missed Heather's athleticism last season when she went down with her injury," Vlasin said. "She can shoot, penetrate and slash. She brings a lot to the table and we need her to do a number of things on the floor to make us successful."

Likely backing up Barbour at the three-spot is sophomore Melanie Drangmeister.

According to Vlasin, Drangmeister is the "best shooter of the whole crew". Drangmeister averaged 4.1 points per game and drilled 38 three pointers last season.

The four-spot is one of the most crowded positions the Bears possess.

Danielle Hagen

Sophomore Danielle Hagen is the Bears' returning starter at the power forward slot. Hagen averaged 7.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in starting all 27 games as a true freshman.

"Danielle is a solid player and probably our most consistent all-around performer," Vlasin said.

A pair of returnees will look for time off the bench when giving Hagen a breather. Juniors Gail Gagne and Cindy McCarroll will provide some leadership in backup roles for the Bears.

McCarroll has played in 46 career games and Gagne has seen action in 45 games during their time at UNC. McCarroll averaged 5.4 points per game and 4.7 rebounds in action last season. Gagne averaged 1.9 points and 1.0 rebounds in limited time as a sophomore.

Gagne and McCarroll are each in their fourth years in the UNC program as they both used a redshirt season early in their careers.

Freshman Kirsten Van Orden could also see time at the four-spot if she can stay healthy. Van Orden has been plagued by some foot problems in the early portion of the season.

The Bears' center position will come down to a trio of players and two which are newcomers to the program this season.

Sophomore Nicole Ford will likely earn the starting nod at the season's start but she will be pushed by a pair of freshmen in Dani Veal and Breanna Lien.

"Nicole has worked very hard in the off-season and has shown flashes of brilliance," Vlasin said.

Lien comes in as a highly-touted freshman from Gillette, Wyo. Lien at 6-foot 4-inches is one of the tallest players in UNC's history.

"Breanna will need to get stronger to play at the Division I level but she does have plenty of upside and could contribute off the bench this season," Vlasin said.

Veal could be one of the biggest surprises this season for the Bears.

"Dani has a huge upside and played as well as any high school player in the state as a senior last season," Vlasin said. "We'll see how quick she responds after volleyball season."

Veal will join the basketball squad after the volleyball season concludes where she saw action in 66 games for the Bears' volleyball team this fall.