BLOOMINGTON — Indiana women’s basketball coach Teri Moren dedicated much of her media day press conference to discussing her revamped roster.
She expressed optimism that the team will better integrate over the next few weeks with more practice sessions. The squad appears more athletic compared to previous years, though it lacks the depth in three-point shooting that has characterized the program historically.
Moren showcased her enthusiasm for the new additions to the IU roster, including freshman Nevaeh Caffey, known for her defensive skills, and UCLA transfer Zania Socka-Nguemen, who brings a distinct skill set to the frontcourt.
Before concluding the 17-minute press conference, Moren made an intriguing remark regarding last year’s team dynamics, particularly concerning potential leaders for the upcoming season. “We always discuss the importance of a cohesive locker room,” she mentioned, reflecting on the struggles faced last year.
Indiana Women’s Team Culture Impacted by Previous Struggles
While Moren didn’t go into detail about last year’s locker room issues, veteran guards Shay Ciezki and Lenée Beaumont openly addressed the topic. Ciezki noted the tension from losing streaks, remarking, “Losing puts strain on teams,” which made it hard for them to recover emotionally.
Indiana faced a challenging season, having lost consecutive games multiple times after a prior streak of avoiding such defeat. Beaumont highlighted early struggles after losses to Harvard and Butler, emphasizing how uncharacteristic losses affected team morale.
Lenée Beaumont Takes on Leadership Role
Beaumont, struggling with a season-ending knee injury, spent considerable time separated from her teammates during rehabilitation. She reflected on the experience, stating, “It taught me how to lead, ensuring we are aligned in our goals and standards.” With the graduation of key players like Sydney Parrish and Chloe Moore-McNeil, Moren recognized Beaumont’s potential to unify the newcomers on the roster.
The positive feedback about Beaumont’s leadership has been encouraging. “Much of our progress can be attributed to Lenée ensuring we maintain a healthy locker room environment in alignment with our objectives,” Moren stated.
