To help us countdown the 100 days until tip-off, UTRGV Women's Basketball Head Coach Larry Tidwell is writing a daily blog in which he takes a look back at key records and moments in program history, as well as a look forward at what is to come. The blog will be posted daily on the UTRGV women's basketball home page and be linked to from the team's Facebook and Twitter accounts. UTRGV opens its season on Nov. 12 at Nebraska in the first round of the preseason WNIT.
 
In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover with her positive, aggressive actions. This can be done by deflecting and controlling or by catching an opponent's pass or dribble.
 
Remember, it is the player who causes or forces a turnover that is awarded the steal, not the one who gains possession.
 
Two important statistical categories for a team are steals per game and steal to turnover ratio. Terms such as cherry picking, stripped and coast-to-coast relate to steals.
 
We have had some proficient steals artists in our time, but Naima (Williams) Johnson proved to be the leader of the pack on several occasions.
 
Most Steals in a Game (1984-Present):

Rank	Steals	Name and Opponent	Date
T-1.	9	Naima Williams vs. Incarnate Word	1/5/02
T-1.	9	Lindsay Jacques at Louisiana Tech	2/8/99
T-3.	8	LeKeisha Gray vs. Utah Valley	3/3/07
T-4.	8	MaHogany Daniel vs. NJIT	1/13/07
T-4.	8	Annette Usher vs. UTSA	12/1/92
T-6.	7	Rickell Preston vs. Chicago State	3/9/16
T-6.	7	Rose Esther Jean at Utah Valley	3/12/10
T-6.	7	Amanda Carlow vs. Southeastern Louisiana	2/28/04
T-6.	7	Amanda Carlow vs. Louisiana	2/16/04
T-6.	7	Naima Williams at Rhode Island	1/26/02
T-6.	7	Jennifer Piwonka vs. Southeast Missouri State	11/17/01
T-6.	7	Veronica Guerra vs. Southwestern Louisiana	12/9/89
T-6.	7	Kelley Crouch at Rice	2/1/88

 
Look for an aggressive season defensively from UTRGV this year, as on-ball pressure, fronting the post, trapping, backside rotation and defending the passing lane will be at a very high level.
 
Additionally, look for your home team to be taking a lot of charges this year as toughness is a major staple for this group!
 
Quote of the Day
Offense wins games. Defense wins championships!
-College Football Hall of Fame Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
 
Si Se Puede! Both feet in for UTRGV!
 
Sincerely,
Larry Tidwell

P.S. If you are a former player, I would like to connect with you! Please send me an email at larry.tidwell@utrgv.edu.

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