By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

XU coach Kevin McGuff said his freshmen understand that they'll be counted on to make an immediate impact. The Enquirer/STEVEN HERPPICH

M O R E   I N F O R M A T I O N Musketeers at a glance Coach: Kevin McGuff (20-10, second season; same overall). 2002-03 record: 20-10. Conference: 11-5 Atlantic 10 West, second place; lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament to Rhode Island 52-48. NCAA Tournament: Lost in the first round to UC Santa Barbara 71-62. Top returning scorers: Tara Boothe (16.0), Alexis Henderson (7.1), Kristy Wallner (4.8). Top returning rebounders: Tara Boothe (8.1), Alexis Henderson (6.3), Kristy Wallner (5.8). Top returning assist person: Kristy Wallner (1.6). Games to watch: • Nov. 30 vs. Cincinnati • Dec. 31 vs. St. Francis (Pa.) • Jan. 3 vs. George Washington • Jan. 16 vs. Saint Joseph's Go-to player: Boothe had a breakout freshman year down low and should be even better this season. Newcomer to watch: Suntana Granderson takes over at shooting guard and can use her quickness to get open jumpers or go to the basket. X factor: Point guard Mandy Geryak, a sophomore, must keep her composure in her first season as a starter.

After seeing the best backcourt tandem in school history graduate, Xavier women's basketball coach Kevin McGuff is handing over the teams' reins to freshmen and sophomores.

As bold as that might sound, McGuff and the Musketeers are in good shape for the future, although it will take an extraordinary effort to get a team this young back to the NCAA Tournament this season.

In the absence of Amy Waugh and Reetta Piipari, who combined for 2,887 points and 1,174 assists in their careers, McGuff will insert sophomore Mandy Geryak at point guard and freshman Suntana Granderson at shooting guard. Sophomore Kristy Wallner and freshman Michele Miller also will see plenty of time on the perimeter, where Xavier lacks the leadership it got from Waugh and Piipari.

"As much as we were going to miss them with what they did basketball-wise, I was probably most concerned about the leadership issues," McGuff said. "And given the fact that we've got five freshmen, that's a really important part for us."

So rather than force leadership upon inexperienced guards, McGuff turned to the post to name his captains: junior forward Alexis Henderson and junior transfer center Adeola Olanrewaju, who is not eligible to play until the second semester but, at 6 feet 3, will play often after mid-December. Sophomore forward Tara Boothe also is back after being named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year last season.

But because the guards control so much of the offense, McGuff expects Xavier to be more balanced than last season when Waugh and Piipari were the first scoring options in most cases.

Getting freshmen and sophomores to realize they're being counted upon to produce right way is what McGuff has focused on.

"I try to impress upon them what we're trying to accomplish with this program and how they fit in," McGuff said, "and that they're going to be a significant part of this, and it raises their awareness that 'Hey, I need to contribute now.' "

Geryak had the benefit of watching Waugh and Piipari most of last season to prepare for this role.

"I told myself that I'd sit out for a year, and watching two older players and learning would help me," Geryak said. "I guess it's somewhat of a wake-up call in that I've got this opportunity in front of me, and I can either take it or let it slip away."

Granderson and Miller, the freshmen, are learning on the job and will be expected to show signs of that early in the season.

"As a freshman, it's not hard, but it's difficult to pay attention for 2 1/2 hours, learning all new plays," Granderson said. "I didn't feel ready, but now I feel as the days go on like I'm getting more ready and prepared to play."

At this point, that's all McGuff can hope for, because it's too early to know what to expect over the course of the season.

"I want to play the most talented people and the people that give us a chance to have the most success," McGuff said. "I think the freshmen were excited that if they came in and did what they were supposed to and what they were capable of, they would have a real opportunity and a real chance."

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com