The 19-10 record and NCAA tournament appearance were nice, but something felt a bit off last season for Angel McCoughtry and the Louisville Cardinals.
Then a freshman, McCoughtry led the team in rebounding (7.4 per game) and in steals (57). She also was the team's third leading scorer (9.2 points per game).
That was all well and good, but McCoughtry felt somewhat stuck. Something was, well, off.
"Last year, we ran more of a halfcourt game," McCoughtry said. "But we have a more athletic team this season. This year, we're able to run."
And few players in the Big East run better than McCoughtry, whose No. 20 Cardinals face No. 21 Marquette Saturday at the Al McGuire Center.
Never wanting to stay put, McCoughtry played one season at Patterson Prep School in Lenoir, N.C., before continuing on to Louisville.
During her only season, McCoughtry led Patterson to the school's first National Association of Christian Athletes National Championship.
On she went to Louisville, where McCoughtry played well enough to earn a spot on the Big East All-Freshman team.
As impressive as McCoughtry's play was at times last year, her performance this season dwarfs it in comparison.
The sophomore forward leads the Big East in scoring (21.9 points per game), rebounding (11.0 per game) and steals (3.3 per game).
As soon as the Cardinals started loosening the reins, McCoughtry started showing them the full benefits of having a thoroughbred on the squad.
"Now, I feel like I fit in great with this team," McCoughtry said. "Coach gives us a lot more freedom this year."
All the Cardinals can do now is wonder what might have been had the team employed its up-and-down style of play last year.
Louisville (22-4, 8-3 Big East) sits in a tie for fourth in the conference standings and appears on its way to another NCAA tournament bid.
As long as the Cardinals keep on letting McCoughtry run, that is.
"I'm trying to be recognized as one of the best players in the nation," McCoughtry said. "I'm trying to get people to see that I can play a little bit."