Marke Freeman didn’t realize that the NIU women’s basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the MAC West.

Regardless of where the national media is predicting the Huskies to finish, she’s aware that the fate of success ultimately resides in themselves.

“I try and stay away from all that because at the end of the day once conference [games] start, all that’s out the window,” Freeman said . “I definitely think that will be something we think about, not really dwell on it, because we have to work on [being successful].”

First year head coach Kathi Bennett has repeatedly stated that building the Huskies into her own will be a process. Under her guidance, NIU will become a defensive-minded first type of team.

“We’re better defensively than we are offensively at this time,” Bennett said. “Because we spent more time defensively, but that’s who we are and that is going to be our identity.”

Bennett will get to see how the Huskies are adapting to her new philosophy when they host Wisconsin-Parkside tonight at 7 p.m. for their lone exhibition game.

Through NIU’s preliminary practices, junior guard Courtney Shelton has seen that things are starting to click on defense.

“You can definitely see throughout practices that we’re understanding it more, and it is starting to come along great,” Shelton said.

When Bennett looked at film from last season, she noticed on many possessions that the Huskies failed to get everyone incorporated on the offensive end. According to Bennett, Freeman had the ball in her hands too long which resulted in failed offensive possessions.

Freeman is pleased to hear about her coach’s decision to tinker with the offensive philosophy to get her teammates more involved.

“It makes me feel a little more comfortable knowing that I don’t have to do everything,” Freeman said. “Last year I was put in a situation where not only did I have to score, but I was also counted on to bring the ball up the floor.”

Freeman is in her senior season and recently named to the All-MAC West preseason team. Yet earning personal accolades doesn’t sit atop the point guard’s to-do-list for this season.

“It’s motivation but not my ultimate goal,” Freeman. “We’re working for a MAC championship right now. Not to think too far ahead but that’s my main goal.”

The nagging toe injury of senior Ebony Ellis appears to have healed, giving the towering six-foot-three center a chance to become a force in the middle.

Bennett sounded very fond of her first freshman class as she stated Danielle Pulliam and Ashley Sneed “have the possibility to start.”

“We’re fighting some injuries so honestly everyone is going to contribute,” Bennett said.

NIU will open the regular season on the road against Minnesota on Nov. 13 , and host Chicago State for its home opener on Nov. 27.