As Jim Murphy watches footage of his Bates College women’s basketball team, he knows the clock is ticking.

The Bobcats open the season Saturday against Western Connecticut at Babson College. With a team that’s still trying to put the finishing touches on the preseason, that doesn’t leave much time.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do at this moment,” Murphy said. “We’ve just got to execute much much better. We have a long way to go.”

Bates went 14-12 last year and graduated its top scorer in Lauren Yanofsky (15.1 points per game). Finding someone to fill her role isn’t easy.

“She could create on her own,” said Murphy. “We’re trying to find somebody to fill that role right now.”

To make matters more challenging for the Bobcats, Allie Bealieu, a returning guard/forward, has been injured.

“She’s been hurt all preseason,” said Murphy. “That really hurts us because she averaged 12 points a game last year. She really spreads things out well because of her ability to hit 3’s.”

Bates has nine players back including starters Beaulieu, center Jessie Igoe (5.7 ppg) and guard Annie Burns (5.2 ppg). The Bobcats have some experience but are still a fairly young squad.

“It’s a decent blend, two seniors, three juniors, five freshmen and a couple of sophomores,” said Murphy.

Some other teams are thinking big at this stage of the season. Traditional powers like Bowdoin and USM expect to be strong while Husson, Colby and UNE all have high hopes as well.

Bowdoin reached the Sweet 16 last year with a 22-7 record and finished ranked 19th in the D3Hoops.com National Poll. The Polar Bears return a number of starters including senior Katie Bergeron (9.9 ppg), juniors Amy Hackett (7.5 ppg) and Ellery Gould (6.1 ppg). Bowdoin also returns six regulars and adds EL standout guard Kirsten Prue to the mix. Bowdoin was ranked 18th in this year’s preseason rankings nationally.

USM should remain a force and contend for postseason glory. The Huskies went 21-9 last year and return four of their top five scorers, including former Jay guard Kayle DeMillo. The senior averaged 11.6 points last year, second on the team. Also back are Haley Jordan, Nicole Paradis and Renee Nicholas. Oxford Hills guard Lindsay Fox is among five freshmen on the roster.

Husson was picked as the top squad in the NAC in the preseason poll. The Eagles went 19-9 last year and were undefeated in conference play, but lost two-time NAC Player of the year Shelby Bradford. Husson still has a veteran club back led by all-conference guard Brianna Hanscom (13.8 ppg)

Colby was ranked 23rd in the nation in the D3hoops.com Division III preseason poll. Interim coach Christine Clancy has a team that returns all but two players from a club that set a school record for wins (24-5) and went to the Division III tourney for the first time. Former Cony forward Rachael Mack (10.4) leads the returning talent for the White Mules.

UNE was picked the league favorite in the Commonwealth Coast Conference preseason poll. The Nor’easters won a school record 23 games last year and won the TCCC title. UNE returns 11 players and four starters from last year’s team including local standouts, junior guard Kari Pelletier and sophomore guard Liz LeBlanc.

UMF went 12-13 last year and lost in the semifinals of the NAC tourney. The Beavers were selected fourth in the NAC preseason poll. UMF is led by seniors captains Ashley Busque (9.2 ppg), Jillian Ross (8.2 ppg) and former Dirigo standout Katherine Gagne. The Beavers could also get a boost from a group of local sophomores Mt. Abram’s Kenni Norton (5.7 ppg), Winthrop’s Lindsay Gordon, Gray’s Rachel Clement and Leavitt’s Hannah Whitaker.

Former MVC rivals lead Maine Martime Academy this season. Senior guard Katie Hutchinson (Dirigo) and classmate Katie Pushard (Winthrop) are two of just three seniors on a club that went 12-9 last year.

Thomas went 6-18 and has a club that has seven underclassmen including sophomores Ambyr Provost (Oak Hill) and Krista Lee (Mountain Valley) and freshman Morgan Hutchins (Dirigo). Among the veteran returnees are Karin Bird (18.2 ppg), Mallorie Blakney (14.7) and Kellie Martel (14.2 ppg).

St. Joe’s graduated three seniors but have just one senior back in guard Casey Drake. The Monks are young after going 12-12 last year.

kmills@sunjournal.com