After winning just eight games and finishing in last in the Pac-10 in 2008, there’s a simple motto that Washington women’s basketball coach Tia Jackson and her players are preaching this year: bigger and better.

“This team, this year, has really taken on the approach of expecting bigger and better,” said Jackson, who enters her third year at the helm. “We have continued to instill in our minds that this is a new year and a new team.”

At yesterday’s media day, Jackson and the UW players were upbeat and optimistic that the past is behind them, and they are ready to move on from their disappointing finish last year. With 12 returning veterans and the addition of transfer center Regina Rogers, there’s a certain feeling that this season won’t be the disappointment that 2008 was.

The Pac-10 preseason poll begs to differ. The Huskies are projected to finish last in the conference again, something that coaches and players both disagree with.

“For the most part, being projected to finish 10th in the Pac-10 is not really indicative of what’s going to be displayed this year,” Jackson said.

Senior Sami Whitcomb, who led the team last year with 12.8 points per game, also believes the projections aren’t in line with the current mind-set of the team. While realizing that the team can’t possibly be predicted to do any better than they did last year after last season’s efforts, she reinforced the idea of bigger and better.

“I think our team is a lot more focused on our expectations versus the expectations of others,” she said. “Our focus is that this year is bigger and better for us. While others may not know how capable we are, we believe in that, and that’s really all that matters.”

One addition that may make the Huskies a contender this year is 6-foot-3 transfer Regina Rogers. A graduate of Chief Sealth High School in Seattle, Rogers spent the 2007 season at UCLA, averaging 6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds. After sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Rogers is ready to make an impact as a Husky.

“The coaches and the team were very welcoming here,” Rogers explained. “I think my role on the team is just going to be a team player. Wherever they need me at — to pass, to set screens, to shoot — I’m willing to be that player.

Rogers says that many compare her to Shaquille O’Neal. Thankfully for Jackson and her teammates, she assures that her free-throw shooting is “way better than Shaq.” A force like Rogers down low will open up options for nearly everyone on the court, including senior center Laura McLellan, who will be able to play at the power forward position when Rogers is playing center.

“I’m really excited to play the four,” said McLellan, who averaged 8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds last year. “Last year, I always had the biggest player on me. I am looking forward to having Regina out there. Just having a big presence down there opens up so much for the guards because she draws double teams. People are going to be open.”

Along with the addition of Rogers, Jackson feels that this team is unique. Entering her third year, she feels that this squad is taking ownership of the team. Having 12 returning veterans makes that possible, and Jackson is confident in her returning players.

“The team can take more ownership of what’s going on out there because they know the system very well,” Jackson said. “[The returning players] take tremendous ownership of everything that is being taught.”

Fans can only hope that the “bigger and better” mind-set holds true for this season. For the players, there doesn’t seem to be a choice after last year’s disappointment.

“We have to tell ourselves that we are going to be better,” McLellan said. “Our attitude, our work ethic, everything that we’re doing on and off the court is bigger and better than last year. We have to think that to get those results.”

Reach reporter Taylor Soper at sports@dailyuw.com.