Krystalyn Ellerbe is a little confused. The Syracuse women’s basketball guard doesn’t understand that tonight’s game is just an exhibition.

‘We have to win,’ Ellerbe said. ‘We’re going in like this is a regular game. This is the beginning of our season. After this, we’re going to be 1-0. We’re starting right now.’

Actually, they’re starting tonight at 7 when Syracuse takes on Team Concept Inc. at Manley Field House.

But some of Ellerbe’s teammates have more modest expectations for the first, unofficial game.

‘I’m just expecting everyone to hustle,’ guard Julie McBride said. ‘Those are things that are given, just to hustle. It’s hard when you have new people. They don’t really know what to expect. But you can’t demand or teach hustle, they have to do it themselves.’

Team Concept Inc. is not a typical exhibition opponent. Of the 10 players on its roster, five are currently in the WNBA. LaTonya Johnson, Alisa Burras, Takeisha Lewis, LaQuanda Barksdale and Dominique Canty will bring their professional talents to the floor. But it doesn’t seem to scare the Orangewomen.

‘We’re going in like they’re regular NCAA players,’ Ellerbe said. ‘They play in the WNBA, but that doesn’t mean anything to us. They’re just other girls we’re playing against that are going to help us get ready for the season.’

‘We’re not intimidated,’ McBride said. ‘It’s cool that we’re playing against them, but we have WNBA potential in the Big East. It’s not like those five WNBA players are all-stars.’

While that may be the case, Burras — who plays for the Portland Fire — will cause matchup problems. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound center averaged 8.7 points last season and led the WNBA in field-goal percentage, making 62.9 percent of her shots.

The Orangewomen will rely on centers Jill Norton and Maja Omanovic to contain Burras. Both Syracuse players give up considerable size to Burras, as well as considerable experience.

Head coach Marianna Freeman admitted Tuesday she hadn’t decided on a starting lineup and probably won’t until tonight. But the lineup will likely include Omanovic, McBride, Rochelle Coleman and Shannon Perry.

But Freeman said she expects contributions from everyone.

‘I just want us to come out and execute and do some of the things we’ve been doing in practice,’ Freeman said. ‘It’ll give me a good idea how we play against other girls.

“Sometimes things aren’t as smooth in practice because no matter how much you tell your team to stop cheating on the plays, they cheat because they know what’s coming. So this will show us how good, or how bad, or how far we’ve come and how much further we might need to go.’

But SU believes it’s well prepared. With impressive play in practice, McBride thinks this team is ready to test its professional foes.

‘We’re still going to go through the learning process with some people,’ McBride said. ‘But I think this will be one of the better exhibitions we’re going to play in since I’ve been here. We’re excited to start this season off right.’

Published on November 6, 2002 at 12:00 pm