Northwestern University Athletics
Nia Coffey Tabbed for Preseason All-Big Ten Team
10/14/2015 2:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Northwestern junior forward Nia Coffey has been named to both the 2015-16 Media and Coaches Preaseason All-Big Ten Team, the conference announced Wednesday morning in advance of Big Ten Media Day.
In addition, the Wildcats were tabbed third in the Media Big Ten Preseason Rankings.
Coffey, who was a unanimous selection in the Coaches Poll, was named First-Team All-Big Ten in both the media and coaches polls in 2015. The Minneapolis native scored in double figures in 31 contests during the 2015-16 season and poured in 20-plus points on seven occasions. Coffey was one of just two Big Ten Players to rank among the league's top 10 in points (15.2 ppg), rebounds (9.7 rpg) and blocks (1.8 bpg), while recording a team-best 14 double-doubles on the year.
Coffey became the first-ever freshman Wildcat to earn All-Big Ten first team honors as selected by the coaches in 2014. She was also a second-team selection by the media and a member of the 2014 Big Ten All-Freshman team.
With 23 wins to its credit during the 2014-15 season, Northwestern secured at least 20 victories for the first time in seven years under head coach Joe McKeown, and marked the first time since 1995-96 that the 'Cats won at least 20 games. The Wildcats earned the programs first NCAA Tournament bid in 18 years. The group also earned its first Associated Press poll ranking since 1996 and its first-ever acknowledgement in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Northwestern returns four starters this season, including Coffey and her classmates Ashley Deary and Christen Inman. Senior Maggie Lyon is also back in the fold for McKeown, who begins his eighth season at the helm of the program.
The Wildcats hit the floor for the first time at Welsh-Ryan Arena for an exhibition game against Seton Hill on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. The regular season opens on Sunday, Nov. 15, when the 'Cats host Howard at 6 p.m., to tip off a three-game homestand.
Here is a complete look at the Preseason All-Big Ten Teams and rankings from both the coaches and media:
2015-16 COACHES BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan State
2015-16 COACHES PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Ally Disterhoft, Jr., G, IOWA
Brionna Jones, Jr., C, MD
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Jr., G, MD
AERIAL POWERS, Jr., F, MSU
Rachel Banham, Sr., G, MINN
Rachel Theriot, Sr., G, NEB
NIA COFFEY, Jr., F, NU
Ameryst Alston, Sr., G, OSU
KELSEY MITCHELL, So., G, OSU
Kahleah Copper, Sr., F/G, RU
2015-16 COACHES PRESEASON BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kelsey Mitchell, So., G, OSU
2015-16 MEDIA BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Ohio State
3. Northwestern
2015-16 MEDIA PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Brionna Jones, Jr., C, MD
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Jr., G, MD
Tori Jankoska, Jr., G, MSU
AERIAL POWERS, Jr., F, MSU
Rachel Banham, Sr., G, MINN
Rachel Theriot, Sr., G, NEB
Nia Coffey, Jr., F, NU
Ameryst Alston, Sr., G, OSU
KELSEY MITCHELL, So., G, OSU
Kahleah Copper, Sr., F/G, RU
2015-16 MEDIA PRESEASON BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kelsey Mitchell, So., G, OSU
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
In addition, the Wildcats were tabbed third in the Media Big Ten Preseason Rankings.
Coffey, who was a unanimous selection in the Coaches Poll, was named First-Team All-Big Ten in both the media and coaches polls in 2015. The Minneapolis native scored in double figures in 31 contests during the 2015-16 season and poured in 20-plus points on seven occasions. Coffey was one of just two Big Ten Players to rank among the league's top 10 in points (15.2 ppg), rebounds (9.7 rpg) and blocks (1.8 bpg), while recording a team-best 14 double-doubles on the year.
Coffey became the first-ever freshman Wildcat to earn All-Big Ten first team honors as selected by the coaches in 2014. She was also a second-team selection by the media and a member of the 2014 Big Ten All-Freshman team.
With 23 wins to its credit during the 2014-15 season, Northwestern secured at least 20 victories for the first time in seven years under head coach Joe McKeown, and marked the first time since 1995-96 that the 'Cats won at least 20 games. The Wildcats earned the programs first NCAA Tournament bid in 18 years. The group also earned its first Associated Press poll ranking since 1996 and its first-ever acknowledgement in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Northwestern returns four starters this season, including Coffey and her classmates Ashley Deary and Christen Inman. Senior Maggie Lyon is also back in the fold for McKeown, who begins his eighth season at the helm of the program.
The Wildcats hit the floor for the first time at Welsh-Ryan Arena for an exhibition game against Seton Hill on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. The regular season opens on Sunday, Nov. 15, when the 'Cats host Howard at 6 p.m., to tip off a three-game homestand.
Here is a complete look at the Preseason All-Big Ten Teams and rankings from both the coaches and media:
2015-16 COACHES BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan State
2015-16 COACHES PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Ally Disterhoft, Jr., G, IOWA
Brionna Jones, Jr., C, MD
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Jr., G, MD
AERIAL POWERS, Jr., F, MSU
Rachel Banham, Sr., G, MINN
Rachel Theriot, Sr., G, NEB
NIA COFFEY, Jr., F, NU
Ameryst Alston, Sr., G, OSU
KELSEY MITCHELL, So., G, OSU
Kahleah Copper, Sr., F/G, RU
2015-16 COACHES PRESEASON BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kelsey Mitchell, So., G, OSU
2015-16 MEDIA BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Ohio State
3. Northwestern
2015-16 MEDIA PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Brionna Jones, Jr., C, MD
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Jr., G, MD
Tori Jankoska, Jr., G, MSU
AERIAL POWERS, Jr., F, MSU
Rachel Banham, Sr., G, MINN
Rachel Theriot, Sr., G, NEB
Nia Coffey, Jr., F, NU
Ameryst Alston, Sr., G, OSU
KELSEY MITCHELL, So., G, OSU
Kahleah Copper, Sr., F/G, RU
2015-16 MEDIA PRESEASON BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kelsey Mitchell, So., G, OSU
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
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