Women's Basketball 2024

[D2Rover]

I watch a fair amount of D2 WBB across regions so giving myself somewhere to comment on it. Might turn into talking to myself, not sure how many people are interested outside of their own region.


#21 Western Washington went 10/13 from three in the second half to beat rival Central Washington 100-75 last night in front of over 800 in Bellingham. Helped by Cai being in foul trouble, but there aren't many teams in D2 keeping up with the Vikings when they are rolling like that. 6 players with 14+ points, two with double-doubles. Already have January 27th marked for the home game against MSU Billings, they played a couple classics last year and both look really strong again right now.

[GoVSUTrojans]

I'm with you. I watch probably more college WBB than MBB and NBA combined. First of all it more parity in WBB. But also it reminds me of old school NBA games.

For the life of me I can't understand why certain teams in D2 are ranked so high. I saw Daemon upset what was then #5 Ferris State. While I was watching that game I was saying I know two team in the CIAA that would probably beat both of them. (FSU and VSU)

[D2Rover]

Ferris has the two best wins in D2 this year beating GVSU and Ashland (it was just Ashland at the time), but they I'm with you that the rankings are often silly.

The biggest game in the country this week was #10NWOSU at #16Harding. Harding went 12/23 from three to pull out a 76-68 victory in what looked like a legit Top-20 battle. NWOSU also got upset by a tough Arkansas Tech team midweek, so I'm sure they'll take a hit in the polls. Puts them in the danger-zone on the Central Region bubble, but they have opportunities for big wins ahead.

Elsewhere Central Region, Emporia State played it's best game of the year (maybe the last couple years) midweek to beat a Pitt State team that is headed in the wrong direction, now losing three straight with a loss at Washburn. Missouri Southern then came into Emporia for a commanding 76-43 victory, making it a 10-game win streak for the Lions. I would but MSSU along with Southern Nazarene, Grand Valley, Western Washington as the best defensive teams in D2 (I'm sure I'm missing one or two back east). A bad weekend on the road to start conference play is the only thing keeping them out of the polls right now.

As mentioned above, Ferris St took down Grand Valley 71-65. I'm not sure what to make of Ferris losing two games to 9-5 teams. I lean towards Ashland still being the favorite to win the region, but maybe that changes if the tournament is in Big Rapids.

I watched three quarters of Bentley and So. Conn. St. last week, relatively straightforward 66-47 win for Bentley. I don't necessarily think they're ahead of what I saw from Assumption last year or what I've seen of the always-ranked Jefferson this year, but the guard play and three point shooting might make Bentley the best equipped team to pull an upset in the Elite Eight if they win the East.

Gannon wasn't particularly convincing against Clarion this week (still won 54-44), but at their best (see the win against West Chester) they look like they deserve their spot in the top 5. A little concerned how the interior matches up against top defenses later in the tournament if they make it that far.

Out West, Western Washington survived a scare 52-49 at Saint Martins, who looks to be trending in the right direction after a 1-8 start. Western picked up a win on Saturday against Western Oregon as well, going 9/15 from three but 8/15 on free throws. Montana State Billings is the team to beat, they continued to roll with a 63-38 win over travel partner Seattle Pacific (yes, Billings and Seattle are a travel partner).

I think there were a couple other upsets this week, Regis got Mines, and I feel like I'm missing another. I can only keep up with so much. Reminder that Lubbock Christian might be a top 15 team even if the polls don't show it, 3 losses including Southern Nazarene and Union is stronger than a lot of teams in the polls. Hopefully we finally see SNU in the #1 spot they deserve this week.

[TheMadLibs]

Gannon wasn't particularly convincing against Clarion this week (still won 54-44), but at their best (see the win against West Chester) they look like they deserve their spot in the top 5. A little concerned how the interior matches up against top defenses later in the tournament if they make it that far.

With you with some concern on interior depth, but I'll say they've been dealing with a number of players sick the last 3 weeks that's meant at least one of our bigs out, and I think legs are a little tired. They had a bit of a rough schedule (this was 4th of 5 on the road, and about to host hometown rival. It was the makings of a trap game if ever there were. It's a pretty young interior and he seems to be working on some different match ups maybe to ready for postseason. I think we're seeing all those impact a bit too.

I'm definitely more WBB fan than MBB so now that I've seen this thread I'll be sure to help you not feel too alone 😂!

[LukeMcConnell1]

SNU gets No. 1 in the media poll, but just No. 4 in the coaches poll. The coaches poll is beyond incomprehensible. SNU is undefeated against one of the tougher schedules in the nation and has the No. 1 RPI and PI in the country according to InkBlotSports. Not sure what else they need to do besides be called a different name to be No. 1 there. Missouri Southern got SIX points in the poll and Lubbock Christian got ONE vote. Unbelievable.

[D2Rover]

Coaches Poll Jan 23

Rank	School (Record)	Total Points	First-Place Votes	Last Week's Rank
1	Ashland (16-1)	569	18	2
2	Gannon (19-1)	537	1	3
3	Union, TN (18-1)	501	0	4
4	Southern Nazarene (16-0)	475	4	5
5	Grand Valley State (15-2)	468	0	1
6	Thomas Jefferson (17-1)	455	0	6
7	Ferris State (12-2)	440	0	9
8	Catawba (12-2)	402	0	8
9	Montana State Billings (16-3)	344	0	12
10	Fairmont State (14-2)	322	0	13
11	Bentley (14-2)	311	0	15
12	Colorado Mines (15-2)	288	0	7
13	Texas Woman's (16-3)	286	0	14
14	Harding (14-2)	273	0	16
15	Valdosta State (16-2)	221	0	18
16	Central Missouri (14-3)	208	0	17
17	Western Washington (14-3)	166	0	21
18	Virginia State (15-2)	157	0	11
19	Fort Hays State (14-3)	155	0	20
20	Miles (13-1)	118	0	23
21	Tampa (16-4)	97	0	24
22	Azusa Pacific (15-3)	87	0	RV
23	Northwestern Oklahoma State (15-3)	85	0	10
24	Texas-Tyler (17-3)	74	0	RV
25	Minnesota State Mankato (14-4)	63	0	RV

Dropped out: No. 19 Texas A&M International (15-4); No. 22 Fayetteville State (14-2); No. 25 Pittsburg State (12-5).

Others receiving votes: Assumption (13-3) 45; Fayetteville State (14-2) 39; Drury (13-4) 30; Cal State San Marcos (13-3) 28; Georgia Southwestern (12-2) 28; Kentucky State (13-2) 27; Texas A&M International (15-4) 27; Lock Haven (15-1) 12; Glenville State (12-4) 11; Missouri Southern State (13-4) 6.

[D2Rover]

Media Poll Jan 23

Rank	School	W-L	Pts.	Previous Poll
1	Southern Nazarene (11)	16-0	392	2
2	Ashland (4)	16-1	384	3
3	Gannon (1)	19-1	367	4
4	Union	18-1	353	5
5	Bentley	14-2	318	7
6	Ferris State	12-2	295	12
7	Montana State Billings	16-3	285	8
8	Catawba	12-2	282	T9
9	Jefferson	17-1	266	T9
10	Grand Valley State	15-2	256	1
11	Valdosta State	16-2	249	11
12	Texas Tyler	17-3	238	13
13	Colorado Mines	15-2	190	6
14	Harding	14-2	183	21
15	Western Washington	14-3	175	14
16	Lock Haven	15-1	141	RV
17	Nova Southeastern	14-3	128	22
18	Azusa Pacific	15-3	106	19
19	Georgia Southwestern	12-2	104	RV
20	Lubbock Christian	14-3	88	RV
21	Tampa	16-4	73	T24
22	Fairmont State	14-2	69	RV
23	Missouri Southern	13-4	58	RV
T24	Dominican (Calif.)	15-3	57	T24
T24	Fayetteville State	14-2	47	15
Others receiving votes: St. Rose (40); McKendree (20); Regis (9); Embry-Riddle (6); Assumption (5); Lander (5); Virginia State (5); Minnesota State-Mankato (3); Texas Woman's (3)
Dropped out: (16) Northwest Oklahoma State; (17) Texas A& M International; (18) Virginia State; (20) Lincoln Memorial; (23) Ursuline

[D2Rover]

To be fair, I don't necessarily want my team's coach to be taking hours out of their week to get a poll right.

Ashland's best win this year is Northern Michigan, 12-5 and .574 RPI.
Southern Nazarene has 6 wins against teams with RPI .579+, 5 of which are 4-loss or better. Also no losses.

Although I am perpetually amused by how erratic the Media Poll can be. Lock Haven beat two teams with a combined 7 wins, jumped from RV with 19 votes to 16th with 141 votes. If I can do math ( points (141-19)/16 voters) ), that's an average jump of over 7 spots per voter. I'm not sure what everyone saw, they only beat 2-13 Shepherd by 4.

[laker]

What was his reason for taking his team off of the court?

RMAC Issues Statement Regarding Adams State-Chadron State Women’s Basketball Contest - Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (rmacsports.org)

[SW_Mustang]

CSC's coach was just suspended for 3 games, they also fully accepted the punishment from the RMAC.

Chadron State Women's Basketball Coach suspended three games (northplattepost.com)

[D2Rover]

I read somewhere that they were down to six players and primarily bench warmers, but that doesn't seem like sufficient reason to pack up and leave.

[D2Rover]

(9/7)MSU Billings @ (17/15)Western Washington tomorrow (Saturday) Night, 7:00 Pacific. Free live stream on YouTube (channel: WWUVikingsAthletics). They do a very good job with the broadcast, one of the better ones in D2. Late start made possible by not playing double headers.

MSU Billings (17-3, 9-0 GNAC) has won 7 in a row after a 74-60 win in Burnaby, British Columbia over Simon Fraser. The Yellow Jackets are 13th in D2 in 3-pt% (36.38) and 15th in scoring margin (+16.5). Their three losses (TX Woman's, CO Mines, WTAMU) come by a combined total of 6 points.

Western Washington (15-3, 7-1 GNAC) stretched the winning streak to 6 with a 73-61 home win over Seattle Pacific. The Vikings rank top-10 in D2 in FG% (47.08), opp. FG% (34.3), assists (18.3) and blocks (5.7).

No lack of experience for the coaches, MSUB's Woodin in year 20 while WWU's Dolfo is in year 33.

Last year's regular season matchup in Bellingham was one of the games of the year, with MSU Billings winning a 66-64 contest that saw both teams score in the last 10 seconds of regulation and last 3 seconds of OT. Western avenged the loss back at home in the Conference championship game, taking a 76-71 victory in front of over 1,400 at Carver Gym.

[D2Rover]

Coaches

Rank	School (Record)	Total Points	First-Place Votes	Last Week's Rank
1	Ashland (17-1)	568	18	1
2	Gannon (21-1)	540	1	2
3	Union, TN (20-1)	512	0	3
4	Grand Valley State (17-2)	481	0	5
5	Southern Nazarene (18-0)	475	4	4
6	Thomas Jefferson (18-1)	455	0	6
7	Ferris State (14-2)	441	0	7
8	Bentley (16-2)	391	0	11
9	Colorado Mines (17-2)	357	0	12
10	Texas Woman's (18-3)	331	0	13
11	Harding (16-2)	310	0	14
12	Valdosta State (18-2)	292	0	15
13	Western Washington (16-3)	263	0	17
14	Catawba (13-3)	236	0	8
15	Fort Hays State (16-3)	200	0	19
16	Virginia State (17-2)	194	0	18
17	Montana State Billings (17-4)	176	0	9
18	Miles (15-1)	162	0	20
19	Fairmont State (15-3)	153	0	10
20	Tampa (18-4)	142	0	21
21	Azusa Pacific (18-3)	134	0	22
22	Minnesota State Mankato (16-4)	98	0	25
23	Northwestern Oklahoma State (17-3)	84	0	23
24	Assumption (15-3)	59	0	RV
25	Georgia Southwestern (14-2)	57	0	RV

Dropped out: No. 16 Central Missouri (14-5); No. 24 Texas-Tyler (18-4).

Others receiving votes: Lock Haven (17-1) 50; Fayetteville State (16-2) 47; Missouri Southern State (15-4) 38; Drury (15-4) 34; Central Missouri (14-5) 23; Texas A&M International (17-4) 18; Glenville State (14-4) 11; Missouri Western State (15-4) 11; Nova Southeastern (15-3) 11; Texas-Tyler (18-4) 6; Lander (14-4) 5.

Media

Rank	School	W-L	Pts.	Prev.
1	Southern Nazarene (12)	18-0	393	1
2	Ashland (4)	17-1	384	2
3	Gannon	21-1	368	3
4	Union	20-1	356	4
5	Bentley	16-2	317	5
6	Ferris State	14-2	313	6
7	Jefferson	18-1	280	9
8	Grand Valley State	17-2	271	10
9	Valdosta State	18-2	268	11
10	Colorado Mines	17-2	266	13
11	Western Washington	16-3	237	15
12	Harding	16-2	234	14
13	Georgia Southwestern	14-2	203	19
14	Lock Haven	17-1	194	16
15	Azusa Pacific	18-3	155	18
16	Nova Southeastern	15-3	134	17
17	Catawba	13-3	128	8
18	Texas Woman's	18-3	122	RV
19	Montana State Billings	17-4	97	7
20	Missouri Southern	15-4	88	23
21	Tampa	18-4	80	21
22	Texas Tyler	18-4	72	12
23	Fayetteville State	16-2	64	T24
24	Assumption	15-3	46	RV
25	Dominican (Calif.)	16-3	32	T24
Others receiving votes: Anderson (29); Virginia State (19); Regis (17); St. Rose (16); Lander (8); Minnesota State-Mankato (6); Embry-Riddle (2); Kentucky Wesleyan (1)
Dropped out: (20) Lubbock Christian; (22) Fairmont State

[Inkblot]

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[D2Rover]

Had been a little unsure about Northwest Missouri so far, but the performance against Fort Hays State this weekend was convincing. Strong defense, balanced offense, a number of players who can step up and make a play when needed. I'd say clearly a tournament-level team, but there are at least 12 of those in the Central region (see 15-3 NWOSU and 14-5 Central MO looking like outsiders right now), so still work to be done.

Anchorage took the daring strategy of letting Western Washington shoot jumpers, and it worked. They were also on fire in the first half, and walk out of Bellingham with a 77-69 victory - two days after letting a 16-point 4th quarter lead slip against Simon Fraser. Weird things happen in Burnaby. Billings and WWU remain in the driver seat for the GNAC, but are now a longer shot to host the region as Azusa Pacific and CSU San Marcos keep winning. San Marcos is a really strong team, added a couple good transfers to a team that made the regional final last year. WWU still has the highest ceiling of anybody in the West when they are playing at their best.

Southern Nazarene (20-0) at Harding (18-2) on Saturday is easily the game of the week, Harding has free streaming through their website. Both teams nationally ranked and reginal hosting rights potentially at stake. Southern Nazarene has survived a couple scares the past few weeks, most recently against Henderson State this weekend. I have them as #1 in the country, although them and Ashland are probably 1 and 1a, with Union not far behind.