Drury Panthers

[crazznewt]

The Lady Panther's first opponent of the season is Ferris State, who still has not posted a roster or schedule for this season. They had an impressive run in last season's regional by blowing out Lewis, then beating Ashland and Grand Valley... The latter on their home court. They followed this with a win in the Elite 8. This will be a major test in Springfield for
Drury's young team.

Thomas More is The Panther's first opponent of the season. The Saints won 19 games last season, ending with a loss in their conference tournament.

I think if the Panthers have a playmaker step up, and the women rebound, they will have good seasons. IMHO

The good turnout at the preseason meet and greet combined with record fundraising show the support for these storied programs is still strong.

[tuffeagle]

Ferris plays Central Mo the week before in St. Joseph Missouri. They also play another team over there. That could hurt the Panthers, playing a team with 2 games already under their belt for the first game. Will be interesting for sure.

[crazznewt]

Ferris plays Central Mo the week before in St. Joseph Missouri. They also play another team over there. That could hurt the Panthers, playing a team with 2 games already under their belt for the first game. Will be interesting for sure.

Yes, it will be interesting to watch this rebuilding process. They did recruit some good people who will represent the university well for years to come. It's a new era for sure.

Looks like Paige Robinson hasn't given up playing pro basketball. Information is hard to find for international women's hoops, but I found she played for Uganda this past summer and led them to two victories over Ireland in international ball. She has been a big scorer at all stops overseas. Hopefully we see her hooping again in the USA soon.

Truman's Hannah Belanger left her pro team last month after only three weeks in Germany. She had a great career at Truman and Iowa State.

Basketball is the only thing that makes winter bearable. First game in less than a month!

[Bballfan]

Pro ball in Europe. Really more doing it than you think. Ashland currently has two pro players over there...

Former Eagles Snyder, Loomis Thriving Playing Overseas - Ashland University (goashlandeagles.com)

When you say about rebuilding, the key is how many stay? Unfortunately it is not unusual for players to leave after a season or two. There was some D1 programs that lost TEN players to the portal. Now I know that is the extreme, but when you look at two starters for Central Mo who should be starters for Drury this year, you get the picture.

[crazznewt]

Clevenger would not have started last year over Daniels and Matis-Martin. She has as much experience as anyone else in the country, but was never more than a role player.

[Bballfan]

I absolutely disagree with that. She started for a 31 - 2 Drury team all year and averaged eight points a game. Solid role player, yes. But she wasn't not starting her senior year. She started over twenty games for the Jennies too.

[crazznewt]

I absolutely disagree with that. She started for a 31 - 2 Drury team all year and averaged eight points a game. Solid role player, yes. But she wasn't not starting her senior year. She started over twenty games for the Jennies too.

I will agree to disagree. She was a good role player for a very different and loaded Drury team with a different coach. Then, things sure looked bleak when all the stars graduated.The guards Drury had last season were at the top of the league in several statistical categories. In fact, they were first team all league players who could/can create shots for themselves and for others. Drury sure could have used Clevenger with all the injuries the team suffered though. I do hope she has a great season as she is a great kid.

[Bballfan]

I think she will do fine for Central Mo. 5 year players bring a little extra to a team. Just watch what Grand Valley does this year. I think all their key players are 5 year. they are going to be better than ever, and nobody played Ashland (national champs) harder two years ago than Grand Valley. They didn't get it done last season because they lost a key starter to injury. But I expect them to be #2 in the pre-season poll (behind Texas Women).

[crazznewt]

I think she will do fine for Central Mo. 5 year players bring a little extra to a team. Just watch what Grand Valley does this year. I think all their key players are 5 year. they are going to be better than ever, and nobody played Ashland (national champs) harder two years ago than Grand Valley. They didn't get it done last season because they lost a key starter to injury. But I expect them to be #2 in the pre-season poll (behind Texas Women).

You are right about fifth year seniors potentially bringing a lot to a team. Drury had two who were first team all GLVC (one also All American) two seasons ago. That same season, the Lady Panthers lost an early game to Ashland by one point in overtime which had to be Ashland's toughest game that season.

Drury also had injuries to deal with all that season. The most devastating of which was the career ending injury to All GLVC Tournament player Mia Henderson before the game with Grand Valley.

Allie Clevenger was in Drury's system for three years and played with multiple All Americans and all conference players. Her main role was to hit the open shot when the opposing defense cheated toward Drury's scorers. They created a lot of opportunities for her. She also played the passing lane well when Drury's incredible defenders (Moore, Damitz, Henderson, Findley) trapped the ball handler. Again, a good role player who was always in the right place. One thing for sure, she has as much big game experience as anyone else in the nation.

I was disappointed with the Drury Women's play in the summer league, so I don't know how good they will be this season. The early games may be rough as this young team will be facing good experienced teams. Looking at Drury's player profiles though, I think there is enough there to make a run in February.

The Drury Men have some superb athletes. Hopefully, they will have a breakout season. It's past time.

[Bballfan]

I watched the Grand Valley/Drury game of two years ago. Drury got in foul trouble and ran out of gas. Game over. Regardless, don't think they would have beat Ashland. They had their chance in November that year and as you said lost. Win that game and Drury hosts and has to play the winner of Ashland/Grand Valley. One game an make all the difference in tournament hosting and seeding. It isn't right. But the NCAA is slow to change anything.

[crazznewt]

Speaking of Grand Valley, one of the best games I have ever witnessed was when 2,000 enrollment Drury beat 20,000 enrollment Grand Valley State in the midwest region championship a few years back. This was played before 2,400 very loud fans. Hopefully we see that type of atmosphere here again.

[Bballfan]

That would have been in 2019. The last time Drury hosted the tournament where masses of fans could attend (I don't count 2020 because playing in front of a few hundred people is hardly a good atmosphere).

Maybe Drury can host next season. This is going to be the year for Grand Valley. I would be surprised if they lose a game at least in the regular season. Not sure if they win it all, but they have a ton of 5th year players, got a transfer from Lewis, know this is their make or break year to get it done.

[crazznewt]

Actually, there was no tournament in 2020 due to Covid. Drury was due to host that regional after finishing the season 32-0 with one of the toughest schedules in D2 thus eliminating the best chance for a Drury title.

More power to Grand Valley, but I am less impressed with a large state university with a lot of money making a postseason run than I am a smaller program like Ashland doing the same.

[Bballfan]

You are right about 2020. I was thinking 2021. Drury was the regional host for three years straight from 2019 - 2021. But 2020 was when the tournament was canceled, and in 2021 there were few fans in attendance. So 2019 was the only year Drury had a chance to host a "normal" tournament.

No doubt Grand Valley has the money and resources that few D2 schools in the country can match. That is why they are consistently one of the top finishers for the Learfield Cup. While Ashland obviously has an outstanding women's basketball program, the same cannot be said for all their athletics as a whole. Very hard for private schools to compete with state schools across the board in all sports. I think Drury has seen that too.

[Bballfan]

I saw Drury women are NOT the favorite to with the GLVC this year. Last year I would agree with that assessment. This year, Lewis is again picked to win the conference. I know they did last year, but Lewis' best player from last year is now at Grand Valley. Maybe I am giving the Panthers too much credit, but I think they can win it this year. But as a whole I think the conference will be down in women's basketball compared to where it was just a couple years ago.