Drury Panthers

[Bballfan]

This team is rarely on the same page and I think it's a lack of experience and overall talent of the entire roster.

It is going to be harder and harder to field deep, talented teams with the transfer portal and NIL. There are players in D1 today that should be playing D2, but instead they are sitting on the bench, seeing little playing time, and getting paid thousands of dollars for doing it. And if you have a good D2 player, they just transfer up to D1 for one or two years and grab that money. In the past a D1 transfer had to set out a year, so players that wanted to keep playing chose D2 schools. That's gone too.

This problem is prevalent more in football and mens basketball, but it is impacting the women's game too.

[crazznewt]

It is going to be harder and harder to field deep, talented teams with the transfer portal and NIL. There are players in D1 today that should be playing D2, but instead they are sitting on the bench, seeing little playing time, and getting paid thousands of dollars for doing it. And if you have a good D2 player, they just transfer up to D1 for one or two years and grab that money. In the past a D1 transfer had to set out a year, so players that wanted to keep playing chose D2 schools. That's gone too.

This problem is prevalent more in football and mens basketball, but it is impacting the women's game too.

And this will affect Drury big time unless people like the O'Reillys and Brad Pitt chip in more money to help pay for players.
The Lady Panthers used to get good D1 players to transfer in before the NIL debacle. Here are just a few:

*Caitlynn Daniels was one of the best freshmen in Conference USA and started 27 games before she transferred to Drury from Alabama Birmingham. Apparently she had a knee injury that slowed her later as there are pictures of her wearing a heavy brace. She was all state in high school basketball 3 times, twice in soccer and was captain of her state champion soccer team. She was recruited heavily by several D1s for basketball.

*Lauren Holmes was another player who made the C-USA Freshman team and started as a freshman for North Texas. Lauren was one of three Drury players that finished 1-2-3 in the national steal category in the same season. An incredible athlete who won 9 championships at Arkansas' highest high school level in three different sports, including a three time STATE track athlete of the year.

*Becky Flippin started for the Michigan Wolverines as a freshman, then transferred to Drury where she joined Molly Carter to form the best backcourt in the country according to legendary Northern Kentucky coach Nancy Winstel.


Drury's first Women's roster (01-02) was made up of mostly freshmen who were all state players the year before. Nyla took advantage of the rule that allows a player who played four years at one sport, to participate another season in a different sport. That player was Alison Coday who was one of the best volleyball players in the country. She was a fierce outside hitter who is still all over the Clemson Tiger record book. She also won an award for the best overall female athlete in the ACC. That initial Drury team won 20 games.

The NCAA (Not Credible At All) has ruined things for many who don't have the money to keep up.

Click the below link.

https://youtu.be/bdXvJupbX_4?si=0UwmJsirLYII5EWZ

Higher education needs to consider that people are dying for their faith everyday in this world. Don't think that everyone will compromise their beliefs to go along with a stupid agenda dreamed up by people with a twisted plan. Basketball isn't that important.

Go Lady Panthers and Panthers!

[crazznewt]

Also, former Drury All American Molly (Carter) Miller's Grand Canyon team has won 16 straight. This includes big wins against Arizona and Arizona State. She has turned this once mediocre program around.
Considering she was on Baylor University's short list to Replace Kim Mulkey a couple years back, it's safe to say the $250,000 yearly salary she makes now will likely substantially increase soon.

On the Men's side, Colin Hardrick could be Drury's MVP of this young season. IMO

Edit: That 32 point game CMSU's Reese Schaaf had against Missouri Western included 20 rebounds.

[crazznewt]

It is going to be harder and harder to field deep, talented teams with the transfer portal and NIL. There are players in D1 today that should be playing D2, but instead they are sitting on the bench, seeing little playing time, and getting paid thousands of dollars for doing it. And if you have a good D2 player, they just transfer up to D1 for one or two years and grab that money. In the past a D1 transfer had to set out a year, so players that wanted to keep playing chose D2 schools. That's gone too.

This problem is prevalent more in football and mens basketball, but it is impacting the women's game too.

Man Is that ever the truth! Missouri Southern lost a heck of a player in Lacey Stokes. Since she arrived at Missouri State, she made an immediate impact and is arguably their best player. The offensive movement is not there when she is off the floor.

Paige Robinson's departure to Illinois State was understandable for those reasons. She obviously benefited from an NIL deal and receiving big time exposure when she won the MVC player of the year award. Her early season 37 point game against the Wisconsin Badgers received national attention. At last look, she is still playing at a high level in Germany.

[GLVCBall1985]

Anyone know what happened in the Maryville women’s game? I saw the game was suspended because a coach collapsed on the sideline. Prayers sent their way.

[crazznewt]

Anyone know what happened in the Maryville women’s game? I saw the game was suspended because a coach collapsed on the sideline. Prayers sent their way.

I was alternatively checking live stats on the GLVC page and thought the stat stream had frozen for Maryville. They list three coaches on their roster.They all appear to.be relatively young. Regardless, prayers for all for all the Maryville family.

[Basketballmom22]

Anyone know what happened in the Maryville women’s game? I saw the game was suspended because a coach collapsed on the sideline. Prayers sent their way.

The head coach Brita Hand had a cardiac episode on the sideline. Attached the AED but never had to be shocked. Still in no word on what happened but she is in the hospital still going in and out of consciousness. This was from a parent of a player so I think it’s safe to pass on. Not sure of an update as of this morning. Prayers needed for sure.

[crazznewt]

Had a good conversation with former Lady Panther assistant coach and Missouri State Lady Bear legend Carly Deer before today's MSU game. Her triple double against the Drake Bulldogs back in '99(?) came up. Karly said she had a couple quadruple doubles back at Warrensburg High. Karly had a combination of strength and speed that was elite. Jackie Stiles and Tara Mitchem weren't the only reasons then Southwest Missouri State made it to the final four. I'm not sure we will ever see that level of basketball around here again.

[Bballfan]

The head coach Brita Hand had a cardiac episode on the sideline. Attached the AED but never had to be shocked. Still in no word on what happened but she is in the hospital still going in and out of consciousness. This was from a parent of a player so I think it’s safe to pass on. Not sure of an update as of this morning. Prayers needed for sure.

I checked with a source and as of yesterday they were not exactly sure what happened. I am sure they are doing a lot of tests to determine root cause. Word is though she is doing okay so hopefully she will make a speedy recovery!

[crazznewt]

I'm not going to speculate on what's going on with this young coach. I will say there has been a lot of young people having these type of issues the last four years. That part is an absolute fact.

[crazznewt]

Home game against Lewis and road games against Quincy, Truman and UMSL are the biggest threats to add to the loss column on the remaining schedule for the Lady Panthers IMO.

Road game at up and down rival SBU could be tough as they have some good players and this is their annual marquee game. They had no clue at Indianapolis this past Saturday though, shooting 16 of 66 from the field and giving up a lot of fast break layups.

Former Lady Panther Reese Schaaf is the current MIAA Player of the Week as she averaged 26 points and 12.5 rebounds in two games. She shot 70.6 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line. Her 20 rebounds against Missouri Western were the most by a Jenny in seven years. This is her second MIAA POW honor this season.

[Bballfan]

Agreed about Drury's remaining schedule.

GLVC women's basketball is getting very little love in terms of metrics when it comes to the region. Currently neither Drury nor Lewis sit in the top 8. 2024–25 Women’s Basketball: Midwest Region

Now, that will obviously change as there is still a month of the season to go, and the GLVC is going to get two teams in the tournament, but it looks like after the GLVC Champion, that team will be either Lewis, Drury, Quincy, or UMSL. So tough games for Drury on the horizon for sure.

[TSU_Mike59]

Agreed about Drury's remaining schedule.

GLVC women's basketball is getting very little love in terms of metrics when it comes to the region. Currently neither Drury nor Lewis sit in the top 8. 2024–25 Women’s Basketball: Midwest Region

Now, that will obviously change as there is still a month of the season to go, and the GLVC is going to get two teams in the tournament, but it looks like after the GLVC Champion, that team will be either Lewis, Drury, Quincy, or UMSL. So tough games for Drury on the horizon for sure.

I wouldn’t be so sure about the GLVC getting multiple WBB bids this year. The nonconference part of the year lacked any dominance, and the bottom of the league is lower than it’s probably ever been, bringing everyone’s RPI down.

Lewis: 6-1 nonconference, two wins against +500 teams. Only one loss total to a -500 team (7-13 Truman on road).

Drury: 4-3 nonconference, two wins against +500 team. Only one loss to a -500 team (4-13 Newman at home).

Quincy: 5-3 nonconference, one win against +500 team. One loss to a -500 team in noncon (5-11 Roosevelt at home) but two total (UIU).

UMSL: 3-1 nonconference, no wins against +500 teams. No noncon losses to -500, just one total (UIU).

Worst case is for the top 4 to inflict collateral damage on each other. Best case would be for 1 or 2 teams to run the table the rest of the way.

[Bballfan]

Ultimately, I think it will be 2 because I don't see 4 GLIAC (unless Parkside or Wayne State get on an unexpected run) and 3 top from the GMAC (Ashland, Findlay, Malone). Hillsdale could sneak in there maybe but they would have to beat Findlay and Malone on the road and make the GMAC finals I would say. That in turn would most likely knock Findlay out. Too early to tell, but in the next 10 days we should have a clearly picture.

[crazznewt]

If Kaci can continue to build her bench Drury has as much a chance as anyone else to win the conference. Depth was what hurt Drury in the conference tournament last season. I think Josie Storey will be key in this regard and it's good to see her finally getting some minutes. It is odd to look at Lady Panther lineups and know exactly how to play them. Realistically, I think a conference championship is the best they can hope for. I hope I'm wrong.

Truman has underachieved this season IMO. Although, their ball movement was impressive in their win against the radio Flyers, proving Truman has enough talent to win if they can squeeze into the top eight. Jordan Cunningham is a candidate for league MVP IMO. At 6' she covers a lot of space and impacts the game in several areas.

I agree Lewis has to be the favorite to win as they have the best overall guard play in the league, although Caitlynn Daniels is the best guard IMO.

Physical teams like Quincy and UMSL might have an advantage in the conference tournament

If SBU could only keep 6'6" Tori Hamilton on the floor they are capable of one upset. She had good numbers in the Indy loss including 5 blocks. However, they often use her on trapping defense 20 feet from the basket and she is not good about getting back into position after the trap. She has consistently committed obvious moving screens 20 feet out her entire SBU career and her coach complains to the officials on every single one. Apparently Harrell doesn't have GLVCSN and a rewind button.