(Editor's note: Southwest Missouri State junior guard Jackie Stiles will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season. Stiles, the nation's top Division I scorer, averages 26.8 points and needs just 49 points to break the SMS all-time scoring record.)

Jan. 23, 2000

Writing my first entry for my weekly player diary is a nervous experience for me. It's the first time I've ever had a diary so this is all very new.

	Jackie Stiles of SMS led the nation in scoring in 1999-2000 with a 27.8 average.

We just started classes on Tuesday. It was so nice during the Christmas break to just play basketball without having classes and school work to worry about. I saw a lot of movies, spent time with my boyfriend and went to the mall, something I don't have a lot of time for during the season.

I have found it is much harder getting motivated for the second semester. Christmas break never seems long enough. But eventually I have to get back in the swing of things at school. This semester will be challenging with 16 hours, and after being in class for only two days, it was such a relief to be on the road.

However, it's also very hectic preparing for a road trip. I have to get ahold of all my teachers to tell them I will be missing classes, which is difficult since I haven't even been to their classes yet. This week I also had to get my books and find extra time for treatment on my ankle. I suffered a bone bruise four weeks ago against Wichita State. It is such a hassle playing injured.

Road rules
We just returned from our first two-game road trip. Wednesday we traveled by bus to play Illinois State the next day. I really enjoy bus trips because we get to relax and watch movies. On this trip we watched the Thomas Crown Affair, Bowfinger and The Mighty. We stopped to eat dinner at Applebee's outside of St. Louis. On road trips it feels like I gain 100 pounds; all we do is eat!

	THE FULL DOSE OF DIARIES
	Notre Dame's Ruth Riley: No pressure
	Tulane's Grace Daley: Superstition ain't the way
	UCLA's Maylana Martin: Road warriors
	Stanford's Carolyn Moos: Forward progress
	Oregon's Shaquala Williams: On the way to L.A.

We finally arrived at our hotel around 11 p.m. Our curfew was 12:15 a.m. (as set by our two seniors Rachel Johnson and Sarah Singer). Of course I had to watch SportsCenter before I went to bed.

Thursday morning we had breakfast in our hotel before going to practice for a "shoot-around" at Redbird Arena. Even though it is called a shoot-around, it is mainly a defensive practice. We defend all of the other team's offensive options: full-court, half-court, sidelines and in-bounds plays. Our coaches watch hours of video tape, which prepares us for the other team. They do a great job. After the shoot-around, we went to eat at Chili's for our pregame meal and headed back to the hotel.

After practice Friday morning, we were back on the bus, heading for Indiana State. When I am on the road I'm limited to a shortened shooting workout. I usually do an hour of shooting every day after practice during season. Nevertheless, coach Burnett kicks me out of the gym to keep the team on schedule and to keep my legs fresh for the second game.

On the way to Indiana State our whole team played a game called Catch Phrase. It was really fun but stressful since we are all so competitive. I know we had to drive the bus driver crazy because we were so loud.

Superstitions and the Sycamores
I'm a very superstitious person. I always do certain things before and after the game. For example, I always take a 45-minute pregame nap. Come game time, I chew Big Red gum and always have to make a 3-pointer before I go into the locker room.

Probably the worst one of all are my lucky knee pads. I have to wear the same knee pads for every game because we are winning, and no matter how much I wash them, they still look very grungy. This year I also have a new superstition. I got a No. 10 hat for Christmas. Since I've had it we've been winning, so I wear it after every game. Even though we have a no hat rule, I think I get by with it because coach Cheryl Burnett was No. 10 at Kansas. You don't mess with the number.

Saturday afternoon, we faced Indiana State. Playing on the Sycamores' home court is always difficult for us. They made it very tough on me because they double- and triple-teamed me the entire game. It was a tough game but we all came together in the end and rode home with a (63-54) victory.

It feels great starting conference 7-0 because we have never started conference so well since I have been here. I was glad my dad and brother got to see the game. They left at midnight and drove 12 hours to get to the game.

On the way home after a victory, the atmosphere is very laid back. Every time a coach used the bathroom on the bus we locked them in and made them bark like a dog to get out! This has been a great road trip but I am looking forward to playing at home again because of our 8,000 wonderful fans!!