Drury Panthers

[crazznewt]

Lewis Flight Crew?
Lewis University’s nickname, the Flyers, originates from the institution's history of training pilots for the U.S. Navy during World War II and its proximity to the Lewis University Airport. Per A I.

I don't know anything about their coach. I do know he was out coached in this one. It does look funny when he walks out to the middle of the floor during timeouts accompanied by four assistant coaches.

I am objective when watching games. We will call out people in our group who yell at referees who are making the correct calls. Truth obviously out weighs loyalty to any team. Having said this, the Lewis play by play guys were out of line at times with their calls. I'll leave it at that.

[panthersclawz1]

Credit where it’s due: that’s probably the best win of Bailey’s career here in the regular season. The women battled through adversity. That was a very good win and moved them into second in the league.

The men surprisingly did not play well other than Hardrick and Howell, who was so good he basically solo carried them to a win. They’ll need to be levels better on Saturday to hang with Upper Iowa, who I’m sure will be anxious to show that Thursday’s loss to SBU was a fluke.

[crazznewt]

Credit where it’s due: that’s probably the best win of Bailey’s career here in the regular season. The women battled through adversity. That was a very good win and moved them into second in the league.

The men surprisingly did not play well other than Hardrick and Howell, who was so good he basically solo carried them to a win. They’ll need to be levels better on Saturday to hang with Upper Iowa, who I’m sure will be anxious to show that Thursday’s loss to SBU was a fluke.

Howell is the leading 3 point shooter in the league by far. His shot is pure and quick and he is on a hot streak having scored 68 points in the last two games. These last few games will be very interesting for Drury.

[Bballfan]

Lewis coach is a D1 coach wannabe. Lewis is just a stepping stone for him until he gets one of those bottom feeder D1 jobs.

I am always curious why the coach believes they should be the center of attention in the team photo....

2025-26 Women's Basketball Roster - Lewis University Athletics

[crazznewt]

Lewis coach is a D1 coach wannabe. Lewis is just a stepping stone for him until he gets one of those bottom feeder D1 jobs.

I am always curious why the coach believes they should be the center of attention in the team photo....

2025-26 Women's Basketball Roster - Lewis University Athletics

I agree that is highly unusual

[Bballfan]

I have it on good authority he is pretty full of himself. I have a friend who is not a fan of Drury by any means, but she wanted Drury to beat Lewis.

[crazznewt]

"Absolute prayer thrown up" was the call by the Upper Iowa play by play guy describing Josie Storey's game winning three point shot. That was another in a series of clueless comments made by that guy. That was a big time shot with perfect lift, extension, and follow through right over the hand of the defender. Drury is indeed fortunate to have a professional behind the mic in John Miller.

It was a furious late comeback for the Lady Panthers. I was concerned about this game, as it was the second of the long road trip, a recipe for a loss with their thin roster. Chances dont look good for a conference championship at this point as the Lady Panthers would have to win three games in three or four days. As has been said all season, Storey and Halliday have to be healthy and Norman and Muncy have to contribute.

All that being said, it was a big win as UMSL lost at Illinois Springfield.

[Bballfan]

UMSL is overrated, but the loss today is something embarrassing!

[crazznewt]

At least it is proven they are beatable in the conference. They almost lost to McKendree Thursday night.

SBU women are actually playing better the last couple of games.They might have enough to play a spoiler role down the stretch.

Rhi Gibbons has been playing at a high level of late. She has that "bounce" to her stride. I hope she finishes well.

[panthersclawz1]

If they can keep winning, the Drury women have put themselves in contention to the #1 seed going into the tournament, something I thought the possibility of was laughable a couple weeks ago. Quincy and Truman this week won't be runaway victories, but they should both be wins at home. Mendel, Gibbons and King are all playing well.

Same old story on the men. Probably too late for them to make a tournament push, but technically still possible. Out of seven remaining games, only one (Quincy at home Thursday) should be a definite win. Coulda. Woulda. Shoulda. But still hoping for the improbable miracle.

[crazznewt]

Hopefully Kaylee, Gray and Mendal return next season. The Lady Panthers will be more athletic and should have multiple good point guards. Their freshmen need to play in a JV league if the NCAA would allow it. It just seems odd more frosh aren't contributing at this point.

Coach Foster has been given plenty of time to turn the program around. I'm beginning to wonder if his success at Truman was a fluke because of a good returning roster he inherited. Lack of roster continuity has contributed to the Panther program's demise, but other programs can use the same excuse. The men's poor performances has likely contributed a little to the lower attendance numbers for the women.

[Bballfan]

The NCAA allows what would be called a JV team. Some schools do have them. Tiffin University for instance...

2025-26 JV Men's Basketball Schedule - Tiffin University

Plus with the new redshirt rule. You could always play the frosh in 8 or so games and they would still be a reshirt frosh next year.

[TSU_Mike59]

I'm beginning to wonder if his success at Truman was a fluke because of a good returning roster he inherited.

Chris won 20+ games in all four seasons as the HC at Truman, including making the NCAA tournament in years three and four of his tenure. He also recruited two guys who had impacts on that final year, with Brodric Thomas, Jr., and Cade McKnight. One of them spent some post-TSU time in the NBA and the other was a future 2-time 1st team and 2-time 2nd-team all-GLVC performer.

No one at TSU would speak an ill word about CF; in fact, many were really, really disappointed when he left.

[crazznewt]

He is a great guy, he just never came close to having a good season here. Hesser was able to win big as coach of Drury

[crazznewt]

Earlier this week and for the second time this season, Drury's Sara Mendel received the conference player of the week award.
She doesn't overwhelm with her size or athleticism, although she does run the floor well. She is a smart player who quietly puts herself in position to be efficient and effective, as evidenced by being one of two players in the nation averaging a double double while shooting above 60% from the field.

I love what Bailey is doing with this team offensively, despite the lack of size and depth. They probably have the best mid-range shooting team in the conference.
After last week's games, I believe Drury will place three, maybe four on the all league team. There is time left for them to make their case.

They have to stay out of foul trouble from here on out. I dont think there are any gimmes left on the schedule.