Receiving an outlet pass during the first half of Sunday's scrimmage, senior guard Carolyn Kieger surveyed the court and then let all those in attendance at the women's basketball team Fan Fest know exactly what Marquette's plan of attack will be this season.
"Go! Go! Go!" Kieger demanded as she led a fast break up the court.
And with that, the 2005-'06 women's basketball team was off and flying.
As they venture into their first year in the Big East, the Golden Eagles will look to attack teams fast and often.
"In years past, we've done more of a half-court (offense)," Kieger said. "This year, we really want to push it as much as we can. We are more athletic than we ever have been."
As athletic as this year's squad may be, its coach remains cognizant of the potential downfalls that accompany a fast-paced game plan.
"I would like to open things up. Obviously, there's a responsibility that comes with that, you know, if we turn the ball over,"said head coach Terri Mitchell. "But I think we have better athletes on the team that can make things happen, and we just have to learn to respond to each other."
The team will have to learn quick, for it enters one of the most dominant conferences in women's college basketball.
In the last six years, the Big East has had the highest win percentage and had more representatives in the NCAA tournament, the Final Four and the National Championship game than any other women's basketball conference in the country.
But don't expect the Golden Eagles to try to sneak in under the radar.
"We expect to be a contender. We're not going to come into the Big East thinking, 'Oh, we're the underdogs,'" Kieger said. "You always have to be confident. We're not going to back down from any team."
Such a bold attitude must start with establishing a strong presence in the defensive post — the origin of those fast breaks the team plans on running.
"Defense is a main key that we do," said junior forward Jasmine McCullough. "In the post, on the perimeter, doesn't matter. Defense is our number one thing. We stop them; we score; we win."
Sounds like a plan.