SOUTHLAND PREVIEW : Something Old, Something New

“Rookie head coach” is one of two themes binding the women’s basketball programs at USC and UCLA this season.

Cheryl Miller, an All-American a decade ago, takes over at USC for Marianne Stanley, whose contract was allowed to expire in June. And Kathy Olivier, a seven-year UCLA assistant coach, took over for Billie Moore, who resigned after 16 seasons.

A second link is USC’s Lisa Leslie (6 feet 5) and UCLA’s Natalie Williams (6-1), two seniors who are national player-of-the-year candidates.

Leslie, an outstanding scorer from short and intermediate range, had a solid game on Sunday against an Australian all-star team that beat USC, 78-75, two nights after beating UCLA, 80-77.

Leslie had 15 rebounds and 21 points and three blocked shots in 36 minutes. She played with an intensity absent a season ago.

Williams, probably the premier low post player in women’s college basketball, had 28 points and 19 rebounds in 35 minutes against the Aussies.

USC, which should contend for national ranking, returns starting point guard Nicky McCrimmon (5-8) and forward Jualeah Woods (6-0).

Challenging UCLA and USC might be Stanford in the Pacific 10.