Drury Panthers

[Bballfan]

Paige Robinson also had the benefit of great veteran teammates surrounding her. I think that makes a BIG difference. She obviously was a great player in her own right, but with the veterans drawing so much attention in games, it is easier for a freshman to succeed versus trying to lead the team right away.

Agreed there is no need for some of these ridiculous trips teams make. Whether it is Hawaii or Puerto Rico or wherever, that is just wasted expenses for games that typically are not good. The NCAA allows an international trip off-season every four years. Focus the dollars on that trip so every player gets that experience, and it is really good for team building too.

[crazznewt]

That's a good point, but Paige was different. She could get her own shot, even as a freshman. In her first college game, she scored 24 points in the first half. She would demand and get big money in today's collegiate market. Yuck.

[Bballfan]

Indeed. Or be a one and done at Drury. You see that a lot with different D2 conferences' "freshman of player of the year" then make the jump to a D1 program who is desperate to replace players they lost to bigger schools in D1.

D2 is now basically a farm system for D1. Exhibit A. Ole' Miss starting quarterback. One of the top quarterbacks in D1 football this year. Last year, he led Ferris State to a National Championship.

[crazznewt]

Very intense games are on tap for tonight in Bolivar. The Drury games are typically the biggest games of the year for Southwest Baptist, especially for the women, who have to be confident playing a very down Lady Panther team, although they are 1-9 versus Drury in Bolivar. This is a must win for Drury IMO for multiple reasons.

The Drury men won the early matchup last year at Drury, as Juok Riok got to the rim often against the Bearcats. Logan Applegate led the Panthers in the February matchup hitting 10 threes in the process. Watch that post game interview with the Bearcat coach to understand how much they want/need these wins against Drury.

It will be interesting to see how much interest these games draw. The Bearcat student body used to show up in big numbers for this matchup. The Drury students used to travel the thirty miles for this game, but they have not been interested in supporting Drury basketball since the China virus.

[crazznewt]

That was so painful to watch. This game was played at a high school level. The Lady Panthers lost most of the 50/50 balls. Missed free throws. Weak passes. Horrible ball handling. Poor decisions on defense. Horrible interior defense. Even the SBU play by play guys were horrible: "SBU is staying with the best team in the GLVC". This will sound negative, but it's true at this point, SBU lost a good chance to beat the worst team in Lady Panther history. I will continue to support this program. It is just painful to watch at this point.

[crazznewt]

Edit.

[Bballfan]

That was so painful to watch. This game was played at a high school level. The Lady Panthers lost most of the 50/50 balls. Missed free throws. Weak passes. Horrible ball handling. Poor decisions on defense. Horrible interior defense. Even the SBU play by play guys were horrible: "SBU is staying with the best team in the GLVC". This will sound negative, but it's true at this point, SBU lost a good chance to beat the worst team in Lady Panther history. I will continue to support this program. It is just painful to watch at this point.

Looked at the play-by-play. When is the last time Southwest Baptist even had a chance to beat Drury women?

A league road win is a league road win. You survive and advance.

Saw Maryville didn't play as the game was canceled due to weather. Which is interesting because the opponent was in the greater St. Louis metro, just like Maryville. All the other GLVC schools made it through the elements though!

[crazznewt]

Bailey's teams are always competitive at the end of the year. IF, this happens again, they will have to win the conference tournament to get in the NCAA's. I am patient with coaches, but as a longtime fan, i am tired of the Foster show.

[crazznewt]

Molly Miller has started with eight wins and zero losses at Arizona State. She will more than likely have great success in the coming years. ASU will back her with money to pay athletes. She is like a pied piper, leading recruits to her programs. Parents like her because she is a role model with traditional values. She has her own unique style of coaching that is copied off of nobody. All this might stop players from transferring from her program every season.

Apparently, there is not enough money at traditional D1 regional power Missouri State to keep players from transferring, as they are losing their best players every year to the portal.

This despite being able to play basketball in the Great Southern Bank arena that is worth one hundred and five million dollars now. A four year education is worth between one hundred and ten and one hundred and fifty thousand dollars at Missouri State. Rumors circulate about the money being paid to players, yet some still transfer. The crap i've seen lately and would like to talk about, turns my stomach. As of right now, I will quote Bball fan and say, there is no end to the greed. (And beyond)

[Bballfan]

Molly Miller is definitely an excellent coach. But Arizona State has played nobody. They will play a Power 4 school next week (Penn State), but they are not exactly that good either.

I would wait to evaluate this season until they get some Big 12 games under their belt. Now if they go beating Iowa State or WVU, those will be quality wins.

[Pantherbooster]

Bailey's teams are always competitive at the end of the year. IF, this happens again, they will have to win the conference tournament to get in the NCAA's. I am patient with coaches, but as a longtime fan, i am tired of the Foster show.

Have to agree with the comment on coach Foster. Having shared my thoughts on this in the past it may appear those closest to the program are starting to see what has been clear for a couple seasons at least. NIL begs the question for a school like Drury, Is it any real advantage to change coaches if player funding isn’t increased? Great point on Molly Miller, she has a system that just pulls in players that can contribute immediately. It is tough to watch either team knowing where we once were. Adjusting the expectations is going to be the biggest challenge for everyone involved but recruiting is critical. Drury has a great history that has to play a part in enticing good players to sign on. Perhaps a big name coach takes the reins, like the transformation of Missouri State football in the last 5 years or so. Maybe not realistic, but a thought.

[crazznewt]

True. But, ASU finished at 10-22 last season. If you look at last season's results, they lost to some of the same teams they have already defeated this season. There has been a vast improvement already.

[crazznewt]

Have to agree with the comment on coach Foster. Having shared my thoughts on this in the past it may appear those closest to the program are starting to see what has been clear for a couple seasons at least. NIL begs the question for a school like Drury, Is it any real advantage to change coaches if player funding isn’t increased? Great point on Molly Miller, she has a system that just pulls in players that can contribute immediately. It is tough to watch either team knowing where we once were. Adjusting the expectations is going to be the biggest challenge for everyone involved but recruiting is critical. Drury has a great history that has to play a part in enticing good players to sign on. Perhaps a big name coach takes the reins, like the transformation of Missouri State football in the last 5 years or so. Maybe not realistic, but a thought.

Those are good points and I completely agree.

As fans, we have no choice but hope the youth mature quickly on both teams as this looks like the long term plan we have. It would be nice if the students showed up in force to create some excitement in the crowd and maybe casual fans will start showing up again. The fan support used to be a big draw for recruits. The "O" is too quiet. The students need to put the phones down, and come support the school again, like the old days.

Again, times have changed and both teams are very young. There is still time to improve enough to compete for a conference championship, athough I anticipate more bad losses. Hopefully, we can enjoy the process.

[Bballfan]

Nothing is the same since COVID. And all the nonsense with the changes in college sports only has made it worse.

[crazznewt]

Nothing is the same since COVID. And all the nonsense with the changes in college sports only has made it worse.

This is what makes it hard to evaluate coaches in this era. Like Booster said in his previous post, the money may not be there for player salaries and adjusting the expectations may be required. If public money is ever used for this, heads should roll, starting with the judges and lawyers who initiated this madness.