The number jumped off the stat sheet after Saturday night’s preseason opener – 30 turnovers.

But four days removed from its exhibition loss to Team Concept, the Syracuse women’s basketball team isn’t dwelling on the turnovers and the defeat. And going into tonight’s second and final preseason game against Syracuse AAU at 7 at Manley Field House, Syracuse isn’t even concentrating that much on its opponent.

Instead, SU’s focus remains on preparing for the season opener at Binghamton on Nov. 22. Syracuse head coach Keith Cieplicki feels the result in the regular-season opener will dictate how far his team has progressed and not necessarily how it performs tonight.

‘There are some things we can do now to help us win tomorrow night, but in the long run, they’ll only hurt us,’ Cieplicki said. ‘So I try to balance things and look for them to show improvement.

‘I just want to keep on pace in terms of our development.’

The turnovers from Saturday night’s 60-44 loss, though, are a good place to start.

‘That’s the biggest area we want to improve in,’ Cieplicki said. ‘It’s mainly offensive. We need to make decisions and live with mistakes.’

Said senior guard Julie McBride after Saturday night’s game: ‘I was a little nervous coming in here, and it was the first time in four years that I was nervous to play. It’ll be a good learning experience for us.’

The opponent for tonight is similar to Team Concept. It’s made up of ex-college players who travel and play current college teams. Three Syracuse alums, though, are on the roster, making it an interesting homecoming game.

Forwards Danene Hopson (’87-’90) and Paula Moore-Claude (’97-’01), along with guard Sue Ludwig (’85-’88), are former Orangewomen on Syracuse AAU’s current roster.

‘I’m familiar with some of the personnel,’ Cieplicki said. ‘They’re very experienced and very solid. They’ll try to make us pay for our mistakes, and we have to try to be physical.’

Cieplicki also pointed to a recent exhibition between Hofstra and Syracuse AAU as an example of a tight game. On Nov. 8, Hofstra defeated Syracuse AAU, 79-76.

The former Orangewomen made a big impact in the game. Moore-Claude led Syracuse AAU in scoring with 14 points and also grabbed 14 rebounds. Hopson added nine points, nine rebounds and six assists while Ludwig chipped in with 10 points and four assists.

Limiting the bigger Syracuse AAU team concerns SU, but after watching the film from Saturday night’s game, Cieplicki isn’t too worried, especially considering how well his defense played.

‘I looked at (the film) quite a bit,’ Cieplicki said. ‘I think I’ll go with the old saying – you’re never as good as you think you are and you’re never as bad, either.’

Published on November 11, 2003 at 12:00 pm