The Nicholls State University women’s basketball team will tip off the 2011-12 season in Tuscaloosa versus the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Colonels are slated to face opponents from top conferences such as the Sunbelt, Pac-10 and Southeastern Conference.

Head coach DoBee Plaisance has begun her fourth year leading the Colonels, and with a little over two weeks into the preseason, she is very pleased with practice so far.

“Half the team is new, so we have a serious learning curve to overcome,” Plaisance said. “But it is in no way, shape, or form intimidating in the least.”

“Our girls are hard working, smart, and they are going to get this stuff,” Plaisance said. “Once we are more comfortable with our chemistry on the team, we are going to be far more efficient and enthusiastic. So far, I am very pleased with the overall pace of practice although some of them have not been the best.”

The Colonels lost two seniors, but Plaisance is sure that their voids will be filled, and new players will step up.

“Both players that we lost can be interchanged with some of our current players,” Plaisance explained. “We lost shooting guard Ricshanda Bickham, but Sumar Leslie will move to her spot and Cassie Hearon, who started as a forward, will be replaced by Alicia Allen.”

“In terms of new impact players, I see Jean Marie Guillory from Lake Charles and Jenny Nash, who is from Houston, having a very dominant and sufficient role early,” Plaisance said. “Both of those true freshmen are showing a lot of promise, and we are very excited to have them. They have come in eager to learn, which can only help our learning curve.”

One major difference from last year’s team, according to coach DoBee, is depth at each position.

“Since I have been here, I have had to intentionally keep the numbers on this team low,” Plaisance said. “When I came in, I did not kick everyone off the team. It has been a matter of saving scholarships for the classes of 2010, 2011 and 2012.”

“We finally have numbers on this team,” Plaisance said. “With a transfer who is ineligible this year, I have 15 girls on roster, which I have not had. Because of this, we now have depth at each position.”

“Last year, there were certain positions I could not sub out, but this year, I will be able to give key players rest,” Plaisance said.

The Lady Colonels are scheduled for 13 home games and 16 away games, including a tournament in Eugene, Ore. Plaisance’s expectations for this year can be summed up in three zealous letters: W-I-N.

“We have a very challenging non-conference schedule versus Sunbelt, SEC and Pac -10 opponents,” Plaisance said. “But I expect to win every game, and there is no other way I can say it besides with conviction.”

“If we beat Alabama or Oregon, they will call it an upset, but I do not care,” Plaisance said. “It is still considered a win.”

“One thing we have tried to instill in our players is that champion mindset,” Plaisance said. “You cannot show up on game day and expect to play like a champion. A true champion is someone who wakes up in the morning to make a difference.”

“Whatever they go on to do, whether it is eat breakfast, sit in math class, come to practice or work out with the team,” Plaisance said. That is how they learn to be a champion. If our players can continue to channel this attitude, we will not only win, but we will win big.”

Senior guard Sumar Leslie is also confident the Colonels will be very successful this year.

“We are going to win,” Leslie said.

“As a senior, I can see a difference in this team, and it is obvious we are out here for a reason–to win games,” Leslie said.

Over her four years as a Colonel, Coach DoBee has created a pattern of winning more games than the previous year. When considering this team’s potential, one can only assume that pattern will continue.

“Our potential is through the roof,” Plaisance said. “But I cannot stand that word because potential is nothing but unused talent. So my job is to transform that talent into success.”

“Our players are getting better every day, which is all I can ask for,” Plaisance said. “My only prayer is that we reach our potential.”