KNIGHT WATCH
Ranked eighth in the entire NCAA Division II in turnover margin (5.87), 15th in scoring (79.1 ppg), 22nd in steals (10.9 spg), and 33rd in steals (15.6 apg), Academy of Art demonstrated explosiveness and inclusiveness last season. The squad was led by Forthan, the program's first All-American, who carries her 16-game double-double streak into this season. The PacWest Player and Newcomer of the Year finished the year averaging 19.7 points (would be 3rd in PacWest if met game minimums), 12.3 rebounds (1st in PacWest, 2nd in the country), 2.6 blocks (second in PacWest), 1.7 steals (10th in PacWest), and 1.9 assists per game.

Along with Forthan, the rest of ART U's stellar sophomore starting lineup, Zoie Sheng, Sha'Nice Storey, Regina Camera, and Jasmin Guinn, were all recognized on the All-PacWest Team. Guinn additionally earned the title of PacWest Defensive Player of the Year and Coach Larson was selected as PacWest Coach of the Year for the first time in her career. Last year, Sheng offered the second-highest assist-to-turnover ratio in the PacWest (1.0), Storey became the program's career leader for 3-pointers made in less than two seasons (96), Camera made her second PacWest All-Tournament Team, and Guinn became ART U's top rebounding guard to date while ranking fifth in the PacWest in steals.

ART U RECEIVES RECOGNITION FROM WBCA, PACWEST
In the preseason release of the USA TODAY Sports Division II Top 25 women's basketball poll from members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Academy of Art was given a total of 75 votes, the most in program history. The Knights appeared on the national poll five times in 2013-14 and on the first seven releases in 2012-13. Additionally, the Division II Women's Basketball Bulletin Preseason Poll had ART U #18 nationally with Forthan one of two WDIIB Super 16 Selections from the West Region.

The coaches around the Pacific West Conference also held Academy of Art in high regard, selecting the Knights as repeat champion in the 2014-15 PacWest Women's Basketball Preseason poll. ART U received 11 of 13 first place votes to give them a 12-point edge over projected second-place Azusa Pacific. Following a breakout debut as PacWest Player and Newcomer of the Year, Forthan was chosen by the coaches as Preseason Player of Year and one of six on the Preseason All-PacWest Team.

OTTERS OFF TO A NEW START
Coming off a year where Cal State Monterey Bay overcame injuries to finish the year as the top scoring defense in both the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and the West Region (59.2 points per game allowed), the Otters were picked to finish 10th in the 12-team CCAA by the coaches in the preseason. CSUMB at one point was forced to carry just eight healthy players on its roster last season and has since said farewell to a four-player senior class that included three of its top five scorers. 2013-14 scoring and assists leader (10.5 ppg, 4.1 apg), Nikki Beckman does return and she will join seven other upperclassmen along with six freshmen. Neither the Urban Knights nor the Otters resemble much of the teams that faced one another back in 2012 with CSUMB winning 79-63. Historically, the Otters lead ART U 3-0 in the teams' all-time matchup.

COMING BACK TO THE CLAN
Only a new opponent last season, the Knights battled Simon Fraser twice (Nov. 26 & Nov. 27) during the 2013-14 regular season and would have faced The Clan in the NCAA West Region semifinals had ART U defeated Montana State-Billings. Nevertheless, SFU went on to fall 76-68 to MSUB and thus finish the year 20-10 overall. Despite being awarded All-American honorable mention by the WBCA last year and this year being named GNAC Women's Basketball pre-season Player of the Year, Erin Chambers may not have been the biggest thorn in the Knights' side in meetings last season. Chambers led the GNAC and ranked sixth in the nation in scoring (22.9 points per game) in 2013-14, but it was guard Katie Lowen who exploded for 27 points (including four 3-pointers) in the second pairing between ART U and SFU. Both Lowen and forward Meg Wilson were selected to the GNAC's Preseason All-Conference Team.

2013-14 SEASON IN REVIEW
Exiting the PacWest Conference Tournament as champions the past two years (2012-13, 2013-14), Academy of Art upped the ante last year by securing the conference's regular season title as well. The Urban Knights would go on to play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Coach Larson's second trip there in three years with the program, and also produced its first All-American to date in Forthan. For more on the 2013-14 season, check out the Season in Review!

LOOKING AHEAD
A highly-anticipated road contest comes in the middle of next week when the Urban Knights travel south to take on #2 Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday, Nov. 19 followed by a contest at Cal State Stanislaus on Nov. 22 and ART U's home opener versus Cal State Dominguez Hills on Nov. 24.