Bowling Green State University’s women’s basketball team will take on a new identity this year by being more efficient.
Coach Fred Chmiel spoke at Thursday’s Bowling Green Kiwanis Club.
Chmiel provided a preview of the upcoming season, sharing his insights into the team’s preparation, and key players to look out for.
“Our players take this seriously. We have an interesting team this year, with five freshmen coming in that mesh well with the team,” Chmiel said. “They are respectful both on and off the court. Most of the players have maintained a 4.0 GPA. We’re extremely proud of them.”
Chmiel was named BGSU’s head coach on April 8, 2023.
“We’ve got people returning that are great leaders. Amy Velasco, Paige Kohler, and Erika Porter all played over 1,000 minutes last season. We were a little short down the stretch but hopefully we take care of that with the depth we have coming in,” Chmiel said. “Paige had a great freshman season. Taya Ellis played sparingly last year and has come along greatly since then. Keiryn McGuff injured her ACL last year and was a vital piece defensively. Keiryn should return around Christmas. Jasmine Fearne is returning from her second ACL injury and has had quite the journey. Lexi Fleming is a relentless worker and returning after many trials and tribulations. Lexi has been the leader for our team and is expected to return around Thanksgiving,” he said.
Chmiel described his vision for this year’s season, hoping to adapt the team’s offense to multiple styles of play.
“We look different this year. I believe we’ll be able to go many ways with size and style. We can change defenses and run some different offensive schemes. Whatever we do, it will be in the best interest of our student athletes,” Chmiel said. “We like to play fast but if we find out we can’t play fast, we’re going to play a little bit slower. Right now, we’re pushing the ball pretty good. We’re getting up the floor, trying to get the ball up between six and eight seconds. If we can’t do that, then we’ll do some dribble driving sets. We like to play through the post but that doesn’t always happen. I think we’ll be a fun team to watch offensively.”
Regarding the defense, Chmiel believes that the team will take on a new identity by being more efficient.
“Defensively, we’ll be a totally different team. This year, we’re turning up the heat. We will do a lot of switching and be up-tempo. I would like to create up to 25% of our offense off our defense,” Chmiel said. “The players have been working on it and hopefully we look different this year. I have had a fantastic time coaching this team. They are a great representation of the university and the Bowling Green community.”
Chmiel was one of the architects for the South Carolina women’s basketball team that made it to the Final Four in each of his three seasons there.
The team’s exhibition game will take place on Oct. 29 against Wittenberg. The home season opener will take place against Southern Miss on Nov. 4. Both times have yet to be determined.
