Classroom:Carson is majoring in psychology with a minor in music and is on track to graduate with a 3.0 grade point average. In addition to her work in the classroom and on the basketball court, Carson also plays four instruments.
Character:Carson is a humble person. She does not gloat about her accomplishments but instead is surprised at the attention she is geting from media, etc., prior to this season. During an amazing season of ups and downs in 2007, which culminated with a trip to the NCAA Women's Final Four, Carson was waging another battle, supporting her mother in her fight against breast cancer. Perhaps Carson's most important role on her team and on her campus came during the discussion immediately following derogatory comments made about her team by radio host Don Imus last April. As a team leader, Carson was eloquent in her defense of her teammates and female athletes around the country.
Competition:Entering this sesason, Carson is a preseason Wooden Watch candidate, a preseason Wade Watch candidate and a member of the Big East all-conference preseason team. She is a two-time Big East defender of the year and a member of last year's all-conference first team. She was also selected to the NCAA Greensboro Regional All-Tournament team in 2007. She started 35 games last season, averaging 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per contest, ranking second on the team in scoring and rebounds. She scored in double-digits in 25 games, including putting together a 10-game streak of double-digit scoring. She played every minute of a game 10 times this season, including five of the last seven games (back-to-back 40 minutes vs. Michigan State and Duke). Only one other player played every minute of a game this season. Carson made a career-high seven steals against Georgetown and also dished out six assists. She led or co-led her team in scoring in 14 games and in assists in 13 games. She led the team in scoring in eight of the last 13 games of the regular season. She established a career-best 21 points against Michigan State on 7-of-13 shooting, including seven points in the final 2:38. She made three three-pointers and was 4-of-4 from the free throw line. She also grabbed eight boards against the Spartans. She then topped that performance with 25 points (9-14, 3-5 3FG) versus Marquette, scoring seven of the team’s first nine points and adding three blocks and five rebounds to the line score.