Drury Panthers

[Bballfan]

Lindenwood is another program that has no business being D1 (just like Mercyhurst in PA). They are never going to be competitive in anything. I just don't get the point. All athletes hear is "D1 progam" and think it is so much better than D2. It's not. There are a number of D1 programs out there that would not be competitive with D2.

I get Bellarmine and Southern Indiana making the move. That was all driven by men's basketball. And they are successful in that one sport.

Looking forward to Drury's schedule drop. They should win the conference again this year in women's bball. Don't expect a lot from the other teams in the conference. I think one of Lewis' better players is at Grand Valley of all places!

[crazznewt]

Lindenwood is another program that has no business being D1 (just like Mercyhurst in PA). They are never going to be competitive in anything. I just don't get the point. All athletes hear is "D1 progam" and think it is so much better than D2. It's not. There are a number of D1 programs out there that would not be competitive with D2.

I get Bellarmine and Southern Indiana making the move. That was all driven by men's basketball. And they are successful in that one sport.

Looking forward to Drury's schedule drop. They should win the conference again this year in women's bball. Don't expect a lot from the other teams in the conference. I think one of Lewis' better players is at Grand Valley of all places!

Agreed on all. The only real success Lindenwood had in D2 sports was in clay target shooting, roller hockey, and rugby. Their president said the move to D1 was important because "it will drive enrollment, enhance university visibility, and generate revenue."

Lindenwood's women's basketball coach is good, but her success at Drury was largely due to others. She inherited a championship caliber team from Molly Miller. Amy's last Drury team featured two all conference players that came to Drury largely because of Amy's assistant coaches who had coached them previously. I don't intend to take anything away from Eagan, but Kaci Bailey's perennial cellar dwelling Quincy team missed a potential game winning shot against Amy's loaded team in the conference tournament. I wish Amy well, but a fact is a fact.

Southern Indiana's Women's basketball did have success as they won the 2024 Ohio Valley championship and made it to the WNIT. BTW, Drury's Junior to be, Josie Storey, had good success against USI, including games of scoring 20 points (6-8 3pt) and a game as a freshman where she had 8 steals.

I won't make any predictions for this season until I see all the new players. In particular, I'm hoping Drury has players who are effective and efficient inside

[Bballfan]

The only real success Lindenwood had in D2 sports was in clay target shooting, roller hockey, and rugby. Their president said the move to D1 was important because "it will drive enrollment, enhance university visibility, and generate revenue."

So I am questioning the long term viability of all these small D1 schools being able to survive athletically once the revenue sharing starts. I know the big schools pay a lot to have these crappy D1's come to play basketball, volleyball, etc. Lindenwood volleyball actually played Ohio State last year. How much money is the Power 5 going to share with opponents when they are going to have to pay their own athletes. This is a big conversation topic on its own.

Drury women IMHO has lost its inside game over the last few years, and the loss of Schaaf isn't going to help. They always use to have a great inside presence. Last season they were weaker inside than I had seen in some time.

[crazznewt]

So I am questioning the long term viability of all these small D1 schools being able to survive athletically once the revenue sharing starts. I know the big schools pay a lot to have these crappy D1's come to play basketball, volleyball, etc. Lindenwood volleyball actually played Ohio State last year. How much money is the Power 5 going to share with opponents when they are going to have to pay their own athletes. This is a big conversation topic on its own.

Drury women IMHO has lost its inside game over the last few years, and the loss of Schaaf isn't going to help. They always use to have a great inside presence. Last season they were weaker inside than I had seen in some time.

In general, everyone knows that wide open layups missed by inside players can kill a team's momentum. If a player misses these consistently, that puts more defensive pressure on others. "Short arming" and not getting the ball high on the backboard are big reasons so many bunnies are missed. Practicing very high backboard shots can help with this. One thing is certain, there is no excuse for not perfecting the highest percentage shot in basketball.

At only 5'10", Schaaf is one of the best at protecting the basketball while finishing a shot. Strength has everything to do with this as her vertical is average at best.

[crazznewt]

Copied from the WBB blog last week:

TRANSFERS IN
Transfers with new school noted: 1,040

D-I to D-1: 903

D-I to non-D-I: 137

D-1 to D-II: 98

D-1 to D-III: 11

D-I to NAIA: 16

D-I to juco: 9

D-I to Canadian university: 3

D-I schools that added at least one D-I transfer: 313

D-1 Transfers out: 1390

[crazznewt]

The following issues trickle down to NCAA events. I wonder how long this post will last.

Open the door to this:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7P2a...I4d3loajBwNGN5

It leads to this (scene from Olympic opening ceremony)

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nat...eremonies/amp/

They included children in this scene (not pictured)

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,

[Bballfan]

I think most reasonable people know and understand that biological males have no business in female sports once puberty hits.. Just imagine if a 6'8 biological male was playing basketball. I think it is going to take something that absurd at a national level to put an end to this nonsense. Swimming and track don't generate that much attention. But you get a biological male playing for a Power 5 women's basketball team that makes the Final 4, then you will get the outrage.

[crazznewt]

It's not just about what happens on the playing field. It's also what young women experience in the locker room. We are naive to think this won't get way worse because it has. The blame rests on people who know better, but overlook this abomination because of their political leanings.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,"

[crazznewt]

Four time defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners Womens Softball utilizes a time tested approach to their sport and life:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8dxY...lyZWhscjd2bzh2

ESPN wasn't expecting this response:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8dxF...dvNmd5amNuY3hq

[crazznewt]

Wow, apparently the Panthers picked up a 6'9" former 3 star, D1 transfer. The possibilities are very exciting if this works out. This would open up the court for Drury's athletes and shooters. It's past time to get O'Reilly rocking like old times. This hasn't been officially been announced yet.

[crazznewt]

Wow! A big 2025 for the Lady Panthers. A strong, fast and skilled 5'11" guard. She had several big D2 schools (Including Central Missouri) and at least a couple D1's recruiting her (including Lindenwood). Drury hasn't announced her signing, so I'll hold off.

Thanks for the heads up HB!

[panthersclawz1]

Wow, apparently the Panthers picked up a 6'9" former 3 star, D1 transfer. The possibilities are very exciting if this works out. This would open up the court for Drury's athletes and shooters. It's past time to get O'Reilly rocking like old times. This hasn't been officially been announced yet.

Aladji Gassama. Lob threat. Floater is consistent. Big body. Rebounder. Struggles to block shots for his size. Mediocre motor. Tremendous attitude. Great kid. Will back up Ruok.

[panthersclawz1]

Wow! A big 2025 for the Lady Panthers. A strong, fast and skilled 5'11" guard. She had several big D2 schools (Including Central Missouri) and at least a couple D1's recruiting her (including Lindenwood). Drury hasn't announced her signing, so I'll hold off.

Thanks for the heads up HB!

This is from someone directly connected to the program: “Excited to have her. Long wingspan. Can fill the gaps. Needs some polishing offensively. Would be the best footwork kid on the team right now today.”

They're excited about her. Feel like she can grow offensively, but will be a defensive anchor right away. Bailey is privately punting this season and trying to reload in 2025.

[crazznewt]

This is from someone directly connected to the program: “Excited to have her. Long wingspan. Can fill the gaps. Needs some polishing offensively. Would be the best footwork kid on the team right now today.”

They're excited about her. Feel like she can grow offensively, but will be a defensive anchor right away. Bailey is privately punting this season and trying to reload in 2025.

Is that last sentence also from someone "directly connected to the program"?

[Bballfan]

Wow! A big 2025 for the Lady Panthers. A strong, fast and skilled 5'11" guard. She had several big D2 schools (Including Central Missouri) and at least a couple D1's recruiting her (including Lindenwood). Drury hasn't announced her signing, so I'll hold off.

Thanks for the heads up HB!

Lindenwood as a D1 school is a joke. Drury and Central Mo are better at women's basketball. Good get for Drury, but I mean if you want to be on a winner you don't go to Lindenwood. They certainly wouldn't have beat Drury or Central Mo last season.