Northern Illinois’ women’s basketball team said “aloha” to De Kalb for Thanksgiving.
Really.
But the Huskies aren’t exactly going on a vacation. It’s more the start of a mission.
Coach Jane Albright-Dieterle’s motto this season is “next level.” Getting to the NCAA tournament, which the Huskies have done three of the last four years, won’t necessarily be enough. They want to advance past the first and second rounds.
The groundwork for that lofty goal begins Friday afternoon, when Northern opens its season against Loyola Marymount in the first round of the Hawaii Paradise Classic in Honolulu. The Huskies, coming off a 24-6 season and first-round NCAA loss to Georgetown, are expected to meet Hawaii in the final Saturday.
NIU is led by preseason All-America guard E.C. Hill. Angela Lockett, a 5-foot-11-inch forward who missed last season after reconstructive knee surgery, returns to team with 6-2 Caryn Alexander in controlling the boards.
“We’re going to be patient with (Lockett),” says Albright-Dieterle, who’s beginning her 10th season at the helm. “Like maybe a game.
“A year ago at this time she was learning to walk again. Now we’re telling her to guard (star center) Lisa Leslie.”
That won’t come until NIU returns from Hawaii. The Huskies’ home opener is Wednesday against nationally ranked Southern Cal.