This week we take a look at all four squads in the 2023 ASRC/ConocoPhillips Great Alaska Shootout. Our second team preview is the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels.

EKU Colonels
EKU women's basketball embarks on year three as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference with head coach Greg Todd at the helm.

The Colonels reuturn four letterwinners, including a pair of starters, from the team that went 18-14 overall and 11-7 in ASUN play last season, ranking top 25 in the nation in scoring offense at 76.4 ppg.

EKU will build around Antwainette Walker, who enters as the consensus ASUN Preseason Player of the Year. The ASUN Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-ASUN in 2022-23, she averaged 21.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game, leading the league in over 10 statistical categories and finishing top 15 nationally in six categories. She recorded a double-double in over 15 games and had a 33-point performance against Austin Peay last season.

The Colonels return key contributors Alice Recanati, Brie Crittendon and Bridgid Fox.

A senior from Italy, Recanati led the ASUN in assists last year with 5.2 per game, dishing five or more on 20 occasions.

EKU took full advantage of the transfer portal, bringing in seven student-athletes who played for other D-I programs – Ivy Turner (Northern Kentucky), Raphaela Toussaint (Rider), NeKiyah Thompson (Jacksonville State), Althea Kara Angeles (Old Dominion), Sierra McCullough (Tennessee State), Kaitlyn Costner (Ohio State) and Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor (Illinois State).

Todd has brought in his first true freshman class at EKU, securing the signings of in-state Saniyah Shelton (Bowling Green HS) and prep standout Kailani Lindsey (Foster HS) from Florida.

EKU Quick Facts
Location: Richmond, Kentucky
Enrollment: 13,327
Founded: 1906
Nickname: Colonels
Colors: Maroon & White
Conference: Atlantic Sun Conference
Arena: Alumni Coliseum (6,500)
Web Site: ekusports.com
Athletic Director: Matt Roan
Head Coach: Greg Todd
   Record at EKU: 33-30, 2 seasons
   Overall Record: 138-136, 9 seasons
Asst. Coaches: Coretta Brown, Veronica Ryan, Chad Gibney, Brie Wajer
2022-23 Record: 18-14
2022-23 Conf. Record: 11-7 (5th)
2023 Postseason: ASUN Tourney qtrfnls
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 4/6
Newcomers: 9

TOP RETURNEES (PPG, RPG, OTHER)
Antwainette Walker (20.9, 9.0, 2.2 apg)
Alice Recanati (8.8, 4.4, 5.7 apg)
Bridgid Fox (3.2, 2.1, .460 FG)