SOUTHLAND PREVIEW : LONG BEACH STATE

After being a dominating team the past decade or so, Long Beach State crashed last season. The 49ers suffered their first sub-.500 season (9-17 overall, 8-10 in the Big West), after making the NCAA playoffs 11 years in a row.

Second-year Coach Glenn McDonald will bank heavily on proven inside player Danielle Scott and another forward, Kim Barfield. The point guard is sophomore Akia Hardy. Two top scorers and rebounders: Neisha Williams and Chenise Butler.