MIAA Women's Basketball 2024-25

[D2Rover]

Generally happy we got in, but I don't love that Emporia lost head-to-head to Northeastern, was two games back in the standings, and gets in ahead of them anyway. We were behind them on Feb 24th, NSU goes 1-1, ESU goes 0-2, but ESU jumps them in KPI to get into the tournament.

Although I think those bottom 4 teams did go a combined 2-26 against the northern half of the conference.

[Mule4ever]

Not a fan of the KPI system. Only benefit I see is you may get into the conference tournament when a team with a better record gets left out. However if you had a better record it would not matter. UCM a 7 in men's and women's seems a stretch with under .500 conference record.

[D2Rover]

The only concession I'll make on my KPI hatred is that actually having Divisions this season would have put Northeastern in ahead of Central and Northwest, which probably would have been even sillier than how it ended up. I'm sure if people put some thought into it there are better ways to do it, but I've never had the impression effort is something you get much of from this conference when it comes to scheduling.

[Bballfan]

There are conferences that do it even stupider. You look at the PSAC in Pennsylvania and they make higher seeded teams (by KPI or RPI or win/loss) play each other before playing the teams in the weak east division. It is beyond stupid. You have harder games in the play-in and quarters, than you do in the semis. It guarantees each division gets two teams in the semis. Doesn't matter if one division has 4+ teams that could be first in the east or not. Talk about inclusion. LOL

[Predatory Primates]

Pitt women looking like they're on a mission since the reg.season loss to hays.

[southside]

Pitt women looking like they're on a mission since the reg.season loss to hays.

Agreed. They’re not worrying about taking names anymore.

[D2Rover]

https://esuhornets.com/news/2025/3/1...signation.aspx

"At this time, I have decided to pursue opportunities at the Division I level and wish the Lady Hornets success in the future," said Ostermann. "I'd like to thank President Hush, David Spafford and Steve Rodecap for their tremendous leadership. I enjoyed my two years in Emporia, particularly the past semester with this team. I want to thank our players and staff for everything and wish them the best."

[libertybearcat]

https://esuhornets.com/news/2025/3/1...signation.aspx

"At this time, I have decided to pursue opportunities at the Division I level and wish the Lady Hornets success in the future," said Ostermann. "I'd like to thank President Hush, David Spafford and Steve Rodecap for their tremendous leadership. I enjoyed my two years in Emporia, particularly the past semester with this team. I want to thank our players and staff for everything and wish them the best."

Is this much of a surprise for Hornet fans?

Didn't he have some issues come up with how he treated players?

I don't recall all the details, but I recall at the time thinking, "he can't come back from this" and "I'd be surprised if he came back next year or even made it through the end of the season."

I'm surprised so many coaches still use old school motivation techniques with today's athletes who, generally, don't seem to respond well to it.

[D2Rover]

Not really a surprise, hope we pushed him out. I don't think anyone is going to miss him. Sounded like he was pretty consistently berating players and kicked the best player off the team mid-season. That was the big incident that got the news coverage (I think I posted it further back in this thread), but there was talk around about him being a terrible leader even last year. And the on-court performance didn't really do anything to make up for it.

[Bballfan]

It is amazing how some coaches can fall upward despite failing at the division 2 level. There was a coach last year in the GLVC. He did absolutely nothing with the women's program in the few years he was there except generate turmoil and a bad level of sportsmanship. This year he actually got hired to be the head coach of a Division one program. Either they didn't have the internet at that school or it was just a who you know hire. The old boys network is really bad in the NFL, but it happens in college coaching too.

[D2Rover]

It is amazing how some coaches can fall upward despite failing at the division 2 level. There was a coach last year in the GLVC. He did absolutely nothing with the women's program in the few years he was there except generate turmoil and a bad level of sportsmanship. This year he actually got hired to be the head coach of a Division one program. Either they didn't have the internet at that school or it was just a who you know hire. The old boys network is really bad in the NFL, but it happens in college coaching too.

Word going around here over the last day or two is that he was effectively fired. "Pursue opportunities at the Division 1 level" is just the line he chose on the way out.

[Bballfan]

Nevertheless, he will latch onto a D1 program somewhere as an assistant to rehabilitate his career. A couple years from now will be head coach again at some level.

[Purple Mav Man]

Nevertheless, he will latch onto a D1 program somewhere as an assistant to rehabilitate his career. A couple years from now will be head coach again at some level.

It may depend on how this follows him. He’s not likely to change and NOT try to intimidate players. If he has enough connections willing to look away, then he’ll obviously land somewhere. There has to be better, younger, options though.

[Mule4ever]

Emporia signs new recruit 8 days before coach leaves. All players signed for next year should be free to leave.

[D2Rover]

https://gogriffons.com/news/2025/3/3...asketball.aspx

Looks like Missouri Western has a new coach. Seems like he wins a lot at the JuCo level, never been head coach at a 4-year before.