Freshmen make an impact, but still have a lot to learn

	Duke freshman Abby Waner (left) gained valuable experience with Team USA this summer, but she's still adjusting to the rigors of the college game. Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

The question seemed simple enough. A quick glance at the schedule would reveal the answer. Most of those involved couldn't come up with it, though.

"Before we started conference, I asked our freshmen how many conference games we played," Texas coach Jody Conradt said. "None of them knew. They know nothing."

That's a lot of nothing. It seems as if Texas has almost as many freshmen as it has conference games. The Longhorns' seven newcomers is the largest rookie class Conradt has had during her 29-year tenure in Austin.

Conradt has likened her responsibilities to that of someone trying to keep up with a litter of active puppies. Except now Conradt is trying to nurse most of them back to health. Three freshmen have been sidelined by injury and other have been plagued by a nick here and a sprain there.

Those injuries and youth have hurt Texas in more ways than one. The Longhorns are 1-2 in conference play and haven't beat a ranked opponent this season. As a result, they've fallen from the rankings.

Other teams have fared a little better with their newcomers, but few of them have had to rely on freshmen as heavily as the Longhorns have. In fact, three of the top four teams in the SI.com power rankings have a rookie in the starting lineup or playing significant minutes off the bench.

"[Freshmen are] more prepared now," Duke coach Gail Goestenkors said. "The game keeps improving, and the quality of players coming out of high school is better."

Of course, freshmen are not prepared for everything. Duke guard Abby Waner, whose sister Emily played a year at Colorado before transferring to Duke, knew the athletes would be quicker and stronger. Abby also understood that balancing studies with a heavier basketball schedule would be a bigger challenge, but the idea of taking a day off didn't quite sink in at first.

"I hate feeling like there is something I could be doing to get an edge," she says.

By refusing to rest, she might have been hurting herself. The college season is longer and more strenuous than a high school schedule. If the Blue Devils reach the Final Four, their season will extend into April.

Waner, who has started all but one game for Duke, was already starting to feel the effects early on. Her legs were sore and her body was tired. After finding her rookie guard in the gym during an off day, Goestenkors decided it was time for a chat.

"She would never take the day off," Goestenkors said. "Her body started to break down a little bit. She didn't understand that when she had a day to rest, she needed to take it."

Time off is especially important for Waner, who decided against taking a break over the summer so that she could play for Team USA, which was coached by Goestenkors. "It was great because we knew each other in terms of her coaching style and my playing style," Waner said. "I already had a relationship with her, so it really eased my nerves with that first big game."