Possible Lineups

Three starters return, one veteran is in, but who will be the fifth player?

In some ways, the starting lineup is almost set. In others, it's anybody's guess.

Because all the players capable of starting, "assistant coaches tell me I'm in trouble," Guevara said. "It's a nice problem to have."

The backcourt has been solidified. Senior point guard Anne Thorius has started all but two games in her Michigan career. Junior Alayne Ingram, also a starter since her freshman days, is at shooting guard.

The third returning starter, junior Raina Goodlow, will be back in the frontcourt where she saw most of her time at power forward.

After averaging 10.1 points and 6.0 rebounds off the bench as a freshman, LeeAnn Bies will be in the starting lineup, probably at center.

The question becomes, how will the rest of the frontcourt round out? Newcomer Jennifer Smith, listed at center, could play power forward since she is a more mobile athlete than Bies. Goodlow would shift to the No. 3 spot. Such a move would make every player in the frontcourt over six feet.

If Smith stays on the bench, Goodlow will likely stay at power forward, meaning either junior Heather Oesterle or freshman Christie Schumacher could play small forward. Oesterle is 6-foot and Schumacher is 5-foot-11, so neither make the front court particularly small.

With Oesterle, Guevara likes the idea of having five experienced players. She also said that Oesterle is the team's best defensive player in the post.

With the backcourt already set, guard Infini Robinson probably will come off the bench. However, the sophomore may end up in the mix somewhere. She has impressed coaches so far in practice, Guevara said, making for new options for her lineup.

"I could go with four guards and a big kid inside," Guevara said, showing how wide open the lineup is.

The freshman class as a whole is making its case during practices for starting positions. Though Guevara said not to discount them, she added they have been inconsistent during some of the practices, as is typical for new players learning the ropes.