- For the first time in nearly three decades, William & Mary hosts Coppin State for a women's basketball matchup. The Eagles last visited Kaplan Arena in 1994 when they captured a 69-66 victory over the Green and Gold. Sunday afternoon's tilt marks just the sixth time these two teams have squared off, although they did see each other last year in W&M's season opener—a 73-56 loss for the Tribe. W&M is looking for its first win over CSU since Feb. 17, 1992.
- W&M had one of its best quarters of basketball in the opening 10 minutes against in-state rival Richmond earlier this week. The Tribe was a perfect 5-of-5 from behind the arc in the first quarter while shooting 57.14 % from the floor. Defensively, W&M allowed the Spiders to go just 4-of-17 in the frame.
- Talk about beasts of the backcourt. Both preseason All-CAA First-Team selections, graduate students Sydney Wagner and Riley Casey have packed their individual stat sheets for W&M in the first six games of the year. The duo sits among the top 5 in the CAA in minutes played (Casey: 36.3, Wagner: 35.5), 3-pt field goals per game (Casey: 3.5, Wagner: 2.6), and 3-pt field goal percentage (Casey: .512, Wagner: .327). Nationally, Casey and Wagner are, respectively, 31st and 57th in minutes played.
- Wagner posted season-highs in points (26), field goals made (8), 3-pt field goals made (3), and matched her season-high in assists (3) against Richmond (12/1/22) at Kaplan Arena. Each time the multi-year Tribe standout has taken the court this year, she's proven to be a scoring threat, hitting double digits every game. In fact, that's a stretch that goes back to last season, as Wagner has reached the double-digit mark in 12 of her previous 13 performances.
- After her history-making back-to-back 31-point performances last week, Casey followed up with another sound effort against Richmond (12/1/22). In 36 minutes of work, she racked up 13 points, five assists, and three steals. It marked the third straight game that Casey has logged 35-plus minutes.
- One of the most prolific scorers in the country, Casey has the stats to back that title up. She ranks sixth in the nation in 3-pointers per game (3.5) and 21st in 3-pt field goal percentage (.512). Her 21.0 points per game also currently sit 14th among all Division I players. Casey is racking up accolades for her efforts as well. Last month, she was named CAA Women's Basketball Player of the Week (11/28/22) and W&M Student Athlete of the Week (11/29/22).
- Junior Caitlin Wingertzahn is enjoying perhaps her best stretch of games for the Green and Gold. During the win over Army (11/27/22), she posted career-highs in minutes (25:02), points (10), rebounds (4), assists (2), steals (1), and blocks (1). She followed it up against Richmond (12/1/22) with 23 minutes off the bench, scoring four, pulling down three rebounds, and blocking a shot.
- In back-to-back starts, junior Rebekah Frisby-Smith has recorded consecutive eight-rebound games—a career-best. This year, the Australia native has also eclipsed her high in career minutes on four different occasions, most recently with 35 against Richmond (12/1/22).
- The Tribe rank among the CAA leaders in several 3-point shooting categories. W&M is second in 3-pt field goals per game (7.2), second in 3-point field goals made (43), and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.321). Of course, the Green and Gold have long built a reputation as a deep-scoring threat. Last season, the squad led the CAA in 3-point percentage (.323) and wrapped up the year third in conference in 3-pointers made per game (6.2).
- It's been a season of late-game comebacks for the Tribe. Two W&M wins have come after trailing at halftime, while the season-opening victory against Navy saw the Green and Gold tied with the Mids at the break. Even losses have seen their fair share of late-game excitement. In the 71-61 loss at George Mason (11/21/22), W&M outscored the Patriots 42-33 in the second half on 40% shooting, going 14-of-17 from the free throw line, and recording only four turnovers.
- The Green and Gold will not leave the state of Virginia during the nonconference slate, playing six home games in Kaplan Arena and another five contests on the road against Commonwealth rivals (VCU, Old Dominion, George Mason, Longwood, Norfolk State).
- The Tribe was picked seventh in the CAA preseason standings by vote of the league coaches. Drexel was the preseason pick to win the league with 10 first-place votes.
