Drury Panthers

[TSU_Mike59]

The swift implosion of the best Division II Women’s Basketball program continues. Nepotism Nyla keeps a blind eye toward brain dead Bailey and her even dumber, more immature staff. They can’t recruit if their lives depended on it and they’ve run off the best player the program has seen since Diestelkamp because of their immaturity.


Program will be on a nosedive until a real coach is put in place.

Embarrassing.

That’ll be the same word we come back to for a while.

What happened? I thought DU was bringing back almost their entire roster this coming year.

[crazznewt]

What happened? I thought DU was bringing back almost their entire roster this coming year.

All American Reese Shaaf has left the team. Social media is silent on this one at this point. Appears to be of no fault of the coach according to word of mouth.

[Bballfan]

I really look at Drury women losing at home to Ashland in November 2022 as a turning point for the program. Win that game, you are number 1 in the region, host the tournament, and then have a good shot at winning the national championship which was held in Missouri. By losing that game in overtime, they had to travel for the regional, and would have had to beat both Grand Valley and Ashland to win the region, a tall order. Then at the end of the season, you have a starter that transferred to Central Missouri, and the program has been trying to get back where it was ever since. Last year was a good season for most schools, it wasn't for Drury women's basketball.

[crazznewt]

Beth Matas Martin and Gabby Burns liked this coach enough to follow her to a new location. Caitlynn Daniels graduated and could have started a very promising business career but decided to return.

The previous 2 Drury coaches had players who didn't like them but the players stayed anyway. The only coach Drury ever had that everyone loved was Nyla. Her record at Drury was 185 wins and 36 losses with lots of success in the post season. This included a national championship game appearance in the program's fourth year of existence. She appears to know what she is doing.

There is a high degree of overall dissatisfaction in society. One poll said sixty percent of people reported being emotionally detached at work and 19% as being miserable. This also transcends into sports. There were likely over 2000 total players in the portal this season, including the two from Central Missouri that the other poster mentioned.

Molly left Amy a strong program with lots of star power. Amy left this program bare to be rebuilt by Kaci. Last season could have been at least a little better if not for multiple injuries. This is more on Amy.

[Bballfan]

There is a high degree of overall dissatisfaction in society. One poll said sixty percent of people reported being emotionally detached at work and 19% as being miserable. This also transcends into sports. There were likely over 2000 total players in the portal this season, including the two from Central Missouri that the other poster mentioned.

110% correct. I believe the whole COVID event accelerated this dissatisfaction to a crazy degree. Everyone had a routine and ways to do things. Then most everyone had this routine upended. Things have never been the same since. Add unlimited transfers and it gets crazy. Just focusing on women's basketball, I can think of a few players who are at their third team in 3 - 4 years. That's just crazy!

[crazznewt]

110% correct. I believe the whole COVID event accelerated this dissatisfaction to a crazy degree. Everyone had a routine and ways to do things. Then most everyone had this routine upended. Things have never been the same since. Add unlimited transfers and it gets crazy. Just focusing on women's basketball, I can think of a few players who are at their third team in 3 - 4 years. That's just crazy!

Agreed. "A house that is divided cannot stand" is a quote from the most influential person who has ever lived. Entitlement and lack of accountability are more key words that describe what is happening in college sports and society.

[panthersclawz1]

Source: Schaaf to Central MO. She fills the void left by Littrell’s departure to Creighton.

[Bballfan]

Source: Schaaf to Central MO. She fills the void left by Littrell’s departure to Creighton.

Good program. Lost some key parts. Two players to D1 in fact.

Sort of thought she might end up at Lindenwood. But now Central has got a second Drury starter in 2 years. That never use to happen!

[crazznewt]

Source: Schaaf to Central MO. She fills the void left by Littrell’s departure to Creighton.

This move by Reese was made known in early June. I was also told Allie Clevenger was not using her covid season at CMSU (not confirmed) where she transfered to pursue a masters program Drury doesn't offer. Side note: Former Drury player Katie Kirkhart is an assistant for the Jennies.

Same sources say the next Lady Panthers lineup will include three international players and another D1 transfer. I hope these players contribute immediately or there will be another depth issue next season. It does look like they will be a faster and better defensive team with a lot of underclassmen.

Caitlynn Daniels has been working hard on her game yet again and is the clear leader on this team. A fast Drury team will put this young lady in the national spotlight IMO.

[Bballfan]

Same sources say the next Lady Panthers lineup will include three international players and another D1 transfer. I hope these players contribute immediately or there will be another depth issue next season. It does look like they will be a faster and better defensive team with a lot of underclassmen.

A lot of teams are going the Euro route. It is a way to get talent that is just looking to land somewhere in the States versus competing with all the D1 schools going after talent too.

On a separate note, with the recommendation that the NCAA scrap the regional tournament model, it could be better for Drury women's hoop versus having to face Ashland and/or Grand Valley every year at an early round in tournament.

[crazznewt]

I see Ryan Gordon is on the Panther roster for 2024-2025. At the summer league, I heard from a very reliable source that he was not returning. He is a real difference maker on the court who doesn't back down from anyone inside or out.

Update: Gordon will not be returning.

[crazznewt]

My predictions for Panther starters:
*Hardrick
*Applegate
*Wakefield
*Howell
*Riak

For the women ( 2 based on hype/film):
*Holliday, Storey or King
*Daniels
*Hitt
*Pasakarnis
*Mendel


The 2024-2025 Panther roster is posted without the Gordon update.

The Lady Panther roster is not posted.

Lots of rumors are floating around with classes starting within a month and the portal apparently still busy.

[Bballfan]

I would like to see the schedule posted. Southern Missouri's has been out for weeks. I do know they play at Drury on November 20th. Southern plays nine games before Thanksgiving. Talk about a brutal start.

[crazznewt]

I would like to see the schedule posted. Southern Missouri's has been out for weeks. I do know they play at Drury on November 20th. Southern plays nine games before Thanksgiving. Talk about a brutal start.

The Lady Panthers will play at MO Southern this season. After starting last season fairly strong with a whole new starting 5, a rash of injuries led to one of the worst stretches in Lady Panther history culminating with the big loss to to the Lady Lions.

Southern is in the prestigious D2CCA Tipoff Classic that Drury has won multiple times. Also, MOSO added Diamond HS star Grace Frazier, one of the best players in the state last season to their talented roster.

The Lady Panthers are in rebuilding mode for the second time in their history. This looks to be the youngest team ever outside of Nyla's first recruiting classes. However, IF the whole team is as diligent as this freshman, they will be good sooner, rather than later.
https://x.com/FitzPerformance/status...46967681790243

[crazznewt]

[QUOTE=Bballfan;n829122]"I really look at Drury women losing at home to Ashland in November 2022 as a turning point for the program. Win that game, you are number 1 in the region, host the tournament, and then have a good shot at winning the national championship which was held in Missouri. By losing that game in overtime, they had to travel for the regional, and would have had to beat both Grand Valley and Ashland to win the region, a tall order."(UNQUOTE)

Another big setback for the Lady Panthers that season was the injury to forward Mia Henderson in Drury's GLVC Championship win over Lewis. Mia was playing the best basketball of her career after battling physical setbacks for much of her career. She was a candidate for MVP of that tournament for her overall play. Her stellar defensive presence was sorely missed in the midwest regional semis against Grand Valley.

In response to your other post, Drury isn't the only team to not post a roster or schedule yet. This includes Central Missouri.

Former SBU Women's head coach Kelsey Keiser is now an assistant coach for D1 California Baptist after one season as the interim head coach for D1 Peperdine University in Malibu, California.

(EDIT)Looks like Lindenwood is also having financial problems:
"In December 2023, college officials said that enrollment had fallen 39% and put the university at risk of more financial problems. In June 2024, the university announced layoffs of 12 staff and two faculty members, as well as plans to not fill open positions. The university cited the need to cut its operating budget by 10% due to enrollment concerns caused by federal student aid delays. Lindenwood also cut 10 of its 50 sports programs and eliminated nine nonathletic staff positions in December 2023 as part of a budget "rebalancing"