Editor's Note: The BIG EAST will be previewing both the men's and women's team from each BIG EAST member each weekday from October 22 to November 9 in advance of the 2012-13 season. Use hashtag #BECountdown to join the conversation on Twitter.

Seton Hall Pirates Women's Basketball

The Big Picture:
Head Coach Anne Donovan enters her third year at the helm with a mix of veteran leadership and new talent that could take Seton Hall to the next level. As the No. 15 seed, the Pirates lost a close BIG EAST Championship first round game, almost staging an upset before losing to No. 10 Villanova by a point in a 61-60 loss. The team will look to pick up its first postseason win under Donovan this year.

Who’s Back:
The Pirates bring back a trio of seniors in Terry Green, Alexandra Maseko and Brittany Morris. Green and Morris come into the season ranked sixth (102) and eighth (99) respectively on the career 3-pointers made list. They both have an outside chance of breaking the record of 156 in their final campaigns. The Pirates will get 2011 All-BIG EAST Freshman selection Ka-Deidre Simmons back after she missed the 2011-12 campaign while recovering from a knee injury.
 

Who’s Gone:
There were two starters lost to graduation for the Pirates: Tajay Ashmeade and Jasmine Crew. Crew started all 31 games, leading the team with 18.6 ppg, 41 steals, 101 assists and an .843 free throw percentage. Ashmeade led the Pirates on the boards last season, averaging 8.8 rebounds per game. She also had a team-high 31 blocks and led the team in field goal percentage (.459).


 

Storylines:
Seton Hall welcomes seven new players into the fold for the 2012-13 season. The bevy of newcomers includes four freshmen and three junior college transfers. Forward Sidney Cook highlights the recruiting class. Cook was invited to USA Basketball U17 National Team Trials in 2010.