Three of the newcomers, led by 5-11 off-guard Alana Beard, are pressing to start.

They pressure ceaselessly on defense and feature Alana Beard, a favorite for national player of the year.

Not with Alana Beard (29 points) slicing inside and hitting jumpers for Duke.

Alana Beard drives to the basket and lifts off.

"Some day, a couple years from now, hopefully people will say about somebody else, 'She plays like Alana Beard.' "

Women: Alana Beard, Duke (this was the inaugural women's award)

"We had to come out and put pressure on the ball," said Alana Beard, who led the Blue Devils (5-0) with 18 points.

Alana Beard, who averaged a team-leading 19.2 points during the regular season, was held to 9 points, shooting 3 for 15 from the field.

Her 75 steals during the 1984-85 campaign remained the highest single-season total until Alana Beard broke the mark in 2000-01.

"I think we're at the beginning of our dynasty," Alana Beard, a junior guard/forward, said.