Northwestern University Athletics
#B1GCats From @nuwbball Conquer #B1GMediaDay
10/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Media Day Links:
Coffey Tabbed for Preseason All-Big Ten Team
McKeown's Press Conference Transcript 
NU Media Guide and Record Book
Purchase Northwestern Season Tickets
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ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Coaches and players from around the Big Ten descended upon Rosemont, Ill. on Thursday morning for the conference's annual Media Day event at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. Head coach Joe McKeown, junior guard Maggie Lyon and sophomore forward Nia Coffey were all in attendance to represent the Northwestern Wildcats in front of the cameras and recorders.
The Big Ten's 14 head coaches first got together on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Big Ten Network headquarters in downtown Chicago. Prominent analyst Debbie Antonelli was excited to chat with Northwestern's head coach and she offered a word of warning to the rest of the conference.
Hanging w/ @B1Gwbball Northwestern Coach Joe McKeown @BigTenNetwork. Keep watch all big ten player Nia Coffey! pic.twitter.com/QJB95Yj96a
-- Debbie Antonelli (@debbieantonelli) October 16, 2014Antonelli also convinced the coaches to take a short break from the agenda to pose for a quick selfie, which she was eager to share.
.@debbieantonelli & #B1GWBBall coaches attempting an epic #selfie at @BigTenNetwork. #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/lrxkIEyz07
-- B1G Women's Hoops (@B1Gwbball) October 16, 2014As players, coaches and media began to trickle into the hotel on Thursday morning, the Big Ten Conference announced its annual preseason rankings and All-Big Ten teams. That news is sure to excite Wildcats fans.
Great way to start #B1GMediaDay! Nia Coffey named to the Preseason All-B1G Team. http://t.co/NXl9Pg9VHA pic.twitter.com/CWYrai87PX
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014
Coaches named Nia Coffey to All-Big Ten first team. Amazing freshman year leading to high expectations this season
-- Jason Dorow (@jasondorow) October 16, 2014
After becoming the first freshman to secure All-Big Ten First Team honors in 2013-14, Coffey was chosen by the coaches for the Preseason All-Big Ten Team prior to her sophomore season. To read the complete release on Coffey's selection, please click here or the link at the top of the page.
The first availability with McKeown Thursday came in a press conference at about 8:40 a.m. In his address, the coaching veteran touched on a variety of topics including his team's potential, the return of some key pieces to the roster and the expansion of the Big Ten.
Coach Joe McKeown of @nuwbball: We are returning 5 starters for the first time while I've been with the #B1GCats. pic.twitter.com/uppGBg5Wi8
-- B1G Women's Hoops (@B1Gwbball) October 16, 2014It's one thing to have five starters back in the fold, but McKeown believes the Wildcats are even deeper than that.
Joe McKeown of @nuwbball returns 5 starters and 2 starters from year b4; calls them "Magnificent 7" @B1Gwbball
-- Brenda VanLengen (@BrendaVanLengen) October 16, 2014In addition to Coffey, Lyon, senior Alex Cohen and sophomores Ashley Deary and Christen Inman, Northwestern welcomes back veterans Karly Roser and Lauren Douglas to help bolster the regular rotation. Statistically speaking, NU returns 98.6 percent of its blocked shots, 95 percent of its scoring, 94 percent of its rebounding and 93.9 percent of its assists to the gym this year.
A full transcript of McKeown's remarks to the press can be found at the top of this page, courtesy of the Big Ten Conference.
Following the press conference, McKeown joined Coffey and Lyon for a few television interviews and photo shoots. During this sitdown with the Big Ten Network Lyon, whose mother coached for many years, discussed everything from her pregame rituals to the passion for the game that she was born with.
Maggie Lyon sits down for a one-on-one interview with @BigTenNetwork at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/Fz9PHTH99K
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014Coffey, Lyon and McKeown also posed for individual portraits with the Big Ten Network and came together at the end of the session for a great group shot.
Lyon, McKeown and Coffey pose for the @BigTenNetwork camera at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/nTDK7NlfVk
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014All three members of the contingent were kept busy over the next hour discussing a variety of topics during one-on-one roundtable availability. Before jumping into the fray, McKeown stopped to share a laugh with Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta.
#B1GCats head coach Joe McKeown shares a laugh with OSU head coach Thad Matta at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/3rGfewdJYd
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014
Nia Coffey of @nuwbball dishes on her favorite restaurants at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/P6uKWNcTw0
-- B1G Women's Hoops (@B1Gwbball) October 16, 2014
Joe McKeown chats with @WGNRadioSports' @JordanBernfield at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/BxhTY4J5q9
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014
Maggie Lyon spent a few minutes with @TeddyGreenstein of the @chicagotribune at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/gJYwVr0Bcl
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014McKeown also took a break form the microphones later in the morning to pose for a picture with friends and fellow Philadelphia natives Dick "Hoops" Weiss and Mel Greenberg.
A trio of proud Philly natives at #B1GMediaDay: Coach McKeown, Dick Weiss and Mel Greenberg. pic.twitter.com/O1Eu0aKwcx
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014One of the final reporters to leave McKeown's table was Northwestern alumnae Patricia Babcock-McGraw. Babock-McGraw was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree for the Wildcats, both on the court and in the classroom. She currently serves as a television analyst and writes for the Daily Herald.
Before departing the Hyatt Regency, McKeown and Lyon stopped for a chat with college basketball analysts Seth Greenberg and Jim Jackson. There is no shortage of basketball knowledge and skill in this shot:
McKeown and Lyon pose for a picture with analysts @BTNJimJackson and @SethOnHoops at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/1LFY50sLik
-- NU Women's Hoops (@nuwbball) October 16, 2014Northwestern will host UW-Parkside at Welsh-Ryan Arena in an exhibition contest on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. The 'Cats begin the 2014-15 regular season on Friday, Nov. 14 on the road at Chicago State. The regular season home opener is slated for Sunday, Nov. 16 against Hampton University at 2 p.m.
Season tickets are on sale now and can be ordered by clicking the link at the top of the page or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE. Northwestern season tickets cost just $49, while youth are $29. Also on sale is a season-ticket family plan for $99 which admits two adults and three children.
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