Drury Panthers

[Bballfan]

The era of NIL has to make recruiting difficult thus adding to the struggle for the coach. Drury was a top National contender that now is simply over matched at the coaching level. We have some very talented players though the utilization of them has been suspect!

The increase in difficulty is only getting worse. In the past a D1 player that wanted to transfer had to set out a year. So they would go the D2 route to keep on playing. That is long gone. Then you have to deal with D1 schools throwing money at top D2 talent to get them to come play. Central Missouri women had two starters leave for D1 programs for instance. And it is even worse on the men's side. Top D2 hoops talent can easily get offers now to play for $$$ even at mid-level D1 schools. Then you have the private versus public school gap that is only increasing. State schools that are D2 have better facilities in general, and even with scholarship limits there are ways around that with schools that have free in-state tuition, etc. Greed is ruining college athletics as we know it, really at all levels. But that is a whole topic of its own. Needless to say it is going to be increasingly difficult for private schools like Drury to be competitive on the national stage in major college sports.

[GLVCBall1985]

I think everyone is kinda saying it in their own way here but to sum it all up- Drury University is in a tough spot and is missing their identity. Men’s basketball and women’s basketball was something that was able to hold it together for a while. Students don’t go to games, players aren’t playing with the “passion” of playing for a historical tournament team, and it seems there is a clear character flaw in leadership. A friend of mine who has a kid that goes to Drury told me that there is a clear disconnect from student athlete to regular student.

[Basketballmom22]

I think everyone is kinda saying it in their own way here but to sum it all up- Drury University is in a tough spot and is missing their identity. Men’s basketball and women’s basketball was something that was able to hold it together for a while. Students don’t go to games, players aren’t playing with the “passion” of playing for a historical tournament team, and it seems there is a clear character flaw in leadership. A friend of mine who has a kid that goes to Drury told me that there is a clear disconnect from student athlete to regular student.

Spot on wonderfully said!

[Basketballmom22]

One thing I will say, these universities need to keep in mind there are a lot of traditional families with traditional beliefs. When said universities shove new and controversial ideals down our throats, they are naive to think that doesn't contribute to people staying away in droves. Not everyone drinks that koolaid.

The Lady Bears had 5 dollar ticket night for their games last night. It didnt help. There were 2,000 people in attendance. This program used to draw 5 to 6 thousand even in down years.

I understand what you’re saying. Hopefully a culture shift in our country is going to change that.

Also, as beautiful of a facility GSB arena is, the atmosphere doesn’t even compare to Hammons Student Center. Other than the Blue and Gold finals and TOC, it’s hard to get excited watching a game there.

[crazznewt]

I understand what you’re saying. Hopefully a culture shift in our country is going to change that.

Also, as beautiful of a facility GSB arena is, the atmosphere doesn’t even compare to Hammons Student Center. Other than the Blue and Gold finals and TOC, it’s hard to get excited watching a game there.

Yea Verily

[Pantherbooster]

A different point on attendance at home games as it appears to be down. As the online GLVC games are behind a paywall my family chose to pay the online and simply skip the attendance. Sure, not fully supporting the program as we had in the past, but if others have the same thought it could have a trickle down effect. So the $120 online vs. the tickets, parking fee, Lair fee and so on. Our level of interest hasn’t changed but it’s much more comfortable to watch from home. The experience at the O’Reilly center is excellent and our teams are blessed with one of the finest D2 facilities in the country. The typical fan is probably not going to pay $12 for a ticket on a regular basis. Once you add in the other fees the cost does become excessive. I agree with an earlier post on the music that is played at the game-I’m sure it’s geared towards what the players listen to, not so much for the elderly crowd in the stands. The B&G tourney had music that was just the opposite, more of the Adult Contemporary style.
Rooting for the teams tonight!

[crazznewt]

A different point on attendance at home games as it appears to be down. As the online GLVC games are behind a paywall my family chose to pay the online and simply skip the attendance. Sure, not fully supporting the program as we had in the past, but if others have the same thought it could have a trickle down effect. So the $120 online vs. the tickets, parking fee, Lair fee and so on. Our level of interest hasn’t changed but it’s much more comfortable to watch from home. The experience at the O’Reilly center is excellent and our teams are blessed with one of the finest D2 facilities in the country. The typical fan is probably not going to pay $12 for a ticket on a regular basis. Once you add in the other fees the cost does become excessive. I agree with an earlier post on the music that is played at the game-I’m sure it’s geared towards what the players listen to, not so much for the elderly crowd in the stands. The B&G tourney had music that was just the opposite, more of the Adult Contemporary style.
Rooting for the teams tonight!

Good points

[GLVCBall1985]

What do you all see for the future of the men’s program if they fail to make yet another conference tournament? This will be Chris Foster’s 4th year at the helm with no success to show for it. At what point do things begin to change? in no way implying he doesn’t deserve the job, but losing gets stale!

[crazznewt]

They need to make the GLVC Tournament and win at least one game. That would be a great improvement. The manner in which they lose the bulk of their games is disheartening for the loyal fan base. There is a risk of losing some very talented players if the coach is let go. That would hurt, as the bulk of the talent are under classmen. However, it won't bode well if this historically mediocre brand of basketball is allowed to continue.

[GLVCBall1985]

Excited to see how the teams will do tonight vs Lincoln. This will be a much different environment than they are used to playing in… the girls should handle business per usual, but the boys better come prepared or they might get punked.

[crazznewt]

Excited to see how the teams will do tonight vs Lincoln. This will be a much different environment than they are used to playing in… the girls should handle business per usual, but the boys better come prepared or they might get punked.

This officiating wont help. Riak gets a bogus call on perfect help defense then on the next play obviously gets knocked off balance and turned the ball over. I'm the last to complain about officiating, but these guys are missing the mark.

[GLVCBall1985]

This officiating wont help. Riak gets a bogus call on perfect help defense then on the next play obviously gets knocked off balance and turned the ball over. I'm the last to complain about officiating, but these guys are missing the mark.

I agree but… good teams shouldn’t have to worry about the whistle being fair to win games. They gave that one away

[crazznewt]

I know one thing, I am avoiding nuetral/inclusive language night at O'Reilly Thursday night.

[GLVCBall1985]

I know one thing, I am avoiding nuetral/inclusive language night at O'Reilly Thursday night.

Ha. What do you mean? What do they have going on now?

[crazznewt]

The outgoing presidential administration tried again to include trans athletes under title nine. This is supported by the same people who support DEI, which includes "inclusive language" like preferred pronouns. An example would be being forced to say "husband and wife" instead of man and wife. Open the pandora's box and worse will happen. I'm done with NCAA events. Signing off permanently.