Danielle Adams led Texas A&M in points and rebounds last season while the junior college transfer was adjusting to the rigors of the Big 12 conference.
Now that she has a season of experience behind her, the Aggies are looking for an even bigger contribution from last year's Big 12 newcomer of the year.
The key to her improvement for the eighth-ranked Aggies will be keeping the extra pounds off her 6-foot-1 frame, something she's long struggled with.
''She's got everything,'' coach Gary Blair said. ''I need her to be at the weight she finished the year at last year. I think she realizes that. We're expecting a lot out of her and she's expecting a lot out of herself.''
Blair said her work with a nutritionist and the team's strength and conditioning coach will be vital in Adams' ability to lead the Aggies this season. She averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds last season but averaged just 23.4 minutes a game while building up her endurance.
In a rare 35-minute outing in a win over Texas Tech last season she recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks.
''She's a great kid,'' Blair said. ''She loves the game and I don't think I've had a player here who is more popular with our fans. People just love her.''
She's one of three starters returning for a 26-8 team that reached the second round of the NCAA tournament after winning the Big 12 tournament crown. Joining her are guards Sydney Colson and Sydney Carter, who combined to average almost 15 points a game last year.
Blair is excited about the point guard Colson because she is finally healthy after her minutes were limited most of last season because of a leg injury.
''I think to win at the highest level, you cannot play your point guard 22 minutes,'' Blair said. ''She has got to be out there on the court longer. That's where you win championships is at the point guard position. And I think she is going to be a good one.''
Carter had to fill in at point guard last season when Colson couldn't play as many minutes. This year the Aggies are looking for her to be more of a scorer when they can leave both players on the court at the same time for longer stretches.
The Aggies' biggest new addition is 6-foot-5 Karla Gilbert, one of the top-rated recruits Texas A&M has ever signed. The McDonald's All-American will be expected to contribute immediately. They are hoping she comes along quickly to help deal with Big 12 players such as Baylor's 6-foot-8 star Brittney Griner.
''She is not going to be as quick as, say, a Griner is, but she has got the size and she has got the bulk,'' Blair said. ''We are not going to get her faster. We just need to get her quicker at getting to spots. She plays hard every day and she's got to give us at least 15 minutes a ball game, regardless of how well she plays or how bad she plays.''
Juniors Tyra White and Adaora Elonu should also see increased playing time this season after averaging 10.6 and 8.9 points respectively last year. The pair combined for more than nine rebounds a game and Elonu had 20 blocks and 40 steals a year ago.
The Aggies open the season at home Tuesday against Arkansas-Little Rock.
