Drury Panthers

[Bballfan]

It is very, very difficult to break into the WNBA. There are only so many teams, and only so many players on those teams. You are looking at a collection of some of the best women's players over the past decade, and not just from the United States, but the world. Europe is not a bad alternative. I know a number of women that have played overseas. They truly seem to enjoy it.

[crazznewt]

It is very, very difficult to break into the WNBA. There are only so many teams, and only so many players on those teams. You are looking at a collection of some of the best women's players over the past decade, and not just from the United States, but the world. Europe is not a bad alternative. I know a number of women that have played overseas. They truly seem to enjoy it.

We will find out soon enough if Paige made the team, the Dream open at the Chicago Sky on the 29th.

[crazznewt]

Paige Robinson Atlanta Dream Training Camp pics. https://www.instagram.com/p/DXaiDdbj...9nc2NzZTkyMmFn

Not many reach this level. She has proved herself at D2 (POY), D1 (MVC POY) and excelled on every foreign team she has played on. She persevered despite the injuries. Praying for her success.

Molly Miller's ASU program is drawing huge social media interest, including being second in total followers gained in the Big 12, 8.8 million video views and 32.1 million impressions. Still winning wherever she goes.

Looks like Drury Women could be adding another all state guard for 2027-28, according to social media.

[Bballfan]

Arizona State has landed some interesting transfers. A couple from Central Michigan (which was decent in the MAC and the players look to have solid resumes) and then a couple players where Arizona State looks to be their third stopping point in college (which I think more than one transfer for a player is ridiculous).

[crazznewt]

Agreed. All this bull crap has done is create more corruption.

Yes, one of those transfers from Central Michigan is a record setting guard who was the conference player of the year. Forty nine percent from the field and forty percent from three point land averaging twenty points a game. A very explosive scorer.

The second central michigan transfer is six foot two, very athletic, averaged fifteen points and seven rebounds per game. Led the MAC in field goal percentage. Had some monster games, including twenty seven points and twenty one rebounds against Ohio.

Both of these will be juniors at Arizona State, their second college.

Molly is playing the portal to be successful under the current crappy rules and she is excelling.

The two you are referencing who have played for multiple schools are transfers from Michigan State and Tennessee. These two are double figure scorers and athletic game changers. The latter had some legal issues and Arizona State is giving her a chance. Apparently the on court demeanor is good. Hopefully the change in scenery will displace any distractions she's had. Molly has proven she will not put up with BS.

[crazznewt]

Hailey Diesltkamp has joined Coach Sayer's staff at Lindenwood. Good for her, Hailey's hometown is about an hours drive from ST Charles.

The long term sustainability issues are starting to manifest themselves.

"The University of Arkansas announced it will discontinue its men's and women's tennis programs at the conclusion of the 2026 spring season due to financial constraints and evolving NCAA resource demands. Approximately $2.5 million annually, previously allocated to these sports, will be redistributed within the athletic department."

All money should have went to the universities, not to the players, so ALL could benefit. Turning college athletes into professionals made as much sense as sending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars overseas for transgender programs.

[Bballfan]

Valid point on cutting athletic programs. They are now disenfranchising student athletes who otherwise would have been able to get a degree for free (or a reduced cost) because of the greed of other programs. And that is a real problem, as there is no end to the greed as no amount of money is ever enough. Most college sports do not make money and operate at a loss. But colleges are not suppose to operate as a business. They are there for research, education, and give opportunities to youth to help better themselves through college. I don't have the answers, but something has to change.

Will be interesting to see what Sayers does at Lindenwood. I know he has turned other jobs in the past because he want to be the next Grand Valley coach. He still might be in the future, who knows. But I guess he was tired of waiting for Williams to retire and took this job.

I could see Diesltkamp being the head coach at Drury one day. Heck of a player.

[crazznewt]

Valid point on cutting athletic programs. They are now disenfranchising student athletes who otherwise would have been able to get a degree for free (or a reduced cost) because of the greed of other programs. And that is a real problem, as there is no end to the greed as no amount of money is ever enough. Most college sports do not make money and operate at a loss. But colleges are not suppose to operate as a business. They are there for research, education, and give opportunities to youth to help better themselves through college. I don't have the answers, but something has to change.

Will be interesting to see what Sayers does at Lindenwood. I know he has turned other jobs in the past because he want to be the next Grand Valley coach. He still might be in the future, who knows. But I guess he was tired of waiting for Williams to retire and took this job.

I could see Diesltkamp being the head coach at Drury one day. Heck of a player.

A quick synopsis: Hailey was the quickest forward I've ever seen. A two time national POY, she had 119 steals in one season. Had a triple double with 10 steals. Had 21 rebounds in a game. Had 53 points in another. Averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds in 27 minutes a game as a senior. The ultimate team player who could have averaged 30 a game on a less talented team, evidenced by the 37 point late season game in Louisville against Bellarmine when nothing was going right for the Lady Panthers. As a freshman, had 8 points and 14 rebounds in the Lady Panthers preseason win against the Illinois Illini, a game where she made a huge impression defensively. Finished more alley oop lob passes than any player male or female I've ever seen. Impressive, considering Molly routinely lined up one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Owns three of the top 5 scoring games in GLVC history. She was the sixth player in NCAA Division II history to record 2,300+ points and 1,100+ rebounds. 24th all time leading scorer in D2 history. She would have been higher on each list had the corona virus not gyped her out of 6 games. A heck of a player indeed!

[Bballfan]

A quick synopsis: Hailey was the quickest forward I've ever seen. A two time national POY, she had 119 steals in one season. Had a triple double with 10 steals. Had 21 rebounds in a game. Had 53 points in another. Averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds in 27 minutes a game as a senior. The ultimate team player who could have averaged 30 a game on a less talented team, evidenced by the 37 point late season game in Louisville against Bellarmine when nothing was going right for the Lady Panthers. As a freshman, had 8 points and 14 rebounds in the Lady Panthers preseason win against the Illinois Illini, a game where she made a huge impression defensively. Finished more alley oop lob passes than any player male or female I've ever seen. Impressive, considering Molly routinely lined up one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Owns three of the top 5 scoring games in GLVC history. She was the sixth player in NCAA Division II history to record 2,300+ points and 1,100+ rebounds. 24th all time leading scorer in D2 history. She would have been higher on each list had the corona virus not gyped her out of 6 games. A heck of a player indeed!

You are assuming they would have played six games in post-season that year. Nothing was guaranteed, but I get your point she missed the opportunity to extend her stats.

I think overall she was a better player than Paige Robinson. Maybe not by the time Paige was a senior but looking at her overall career as a whole. Her stats definitely support the argument. And in today's era, she would probably have been gone from Drury after sophomore year sadly.

[crazznewt]

You are right, nothing was guaranteed. But it is a safe assumption: Drury was 35-1 the season before covid, hosted and won that regional defeating Grand Valley 51-44 before 2500 very enthusiastic fans (the other games were 30 plus point blowouts), returned every important player, added talented depth, won the prestigious D2CCA opening tournament again, were 32-0 after waltzing through a tough schedule, was set to host again with a 100% healthy roster. The winner of that regional was the consensus favorite to win it all. Drury was entering the regional on a 40 game win streak at home. They were the odds on favorite to win it all.

Two seasons later, If Paige had not missed 12 games (Injured in a win versus Michigan Tech after already scoring 36 points with 8 rebounds) she likely would have won another D2 POY award. She had already won the MVP of another elite D2 opening D2CCA tournament and still managed to average 21 points on the season, despite playing the last 12 games of the season with a soft cast on her shooting hand.

For the men: Elijah Edosa from Rend Lake College is the latest signee for Coach Foster. A 6'5" juco All-American forward, he averaged 18.0 PPG, 9.2. RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 BPG and 1.3 SPG. The roster is looking pretty solid with these new additions.

Looks like Isaiah Otyaluk hasn't signed with anyone yet. I cant imagine him getting hung out to dry. Verbal Commits rates him 3 1/2 stars.

[crazznewt]

Looks like the Dream has waived Paige. Maybe somebody else will pick her up.

[Bballfan]

Looks like Isaiah Otyaluk hasn't signed with anyone yet. I cant imagine him getting hung out to dry. Verbal Commits rates him 3 1/2 stars.

He won't. I am sure he is on teams' boards and he has taken visits. There are plenty of teams looking to fill roster spots too. At some point it comes down to needed bodies.

For Robinson, I think it will be back to Europe. Nothing wrong with that. It is nice over there, and like I said, from the women I have talked with that have done it, they love it. If anything a few never want to come back to the States.

[crazznewt]

According to A I:

Approximately 30% to 45% of NCAA basketball players who enter the transfer portal do not secure a new NCAA team the following season. With over 2,000+ players in the portal annually, this means hundreds of athletes are left without new, higher-level basketball opportunities or are forced to drop divisions or leave the sport entirely.


Robinson returning overseas was a given since she re-signed with the team she was with before stepping foot into the Atlanta Dream training camp. I think she had the intention of playing both leagues since the schedules don't overlap. Plus, there still might be opportunities elsewhere in the WNBA for her as the Dream were high on her, just not what they needed in the end.

[crazznewt]

Looks like the Lady Panthers have picked up another local all state player!

https://www.ky3.com/2026/02/12/athle...ls-basketball/


Recruiting locally will be very instrumental in rebuilding this program IMO. People in this area support their girls basketball. Each local player they recruit will obviously bring her own cheering section. It was the formula Nyla used when she started this program and took it to the national championship game in her fourth season.

[DUPanther]

So far the Drury men's coaches are 3/3 on their wish list of commitments. TDB on if they translate to this level. They're older players to help compliment the young core. Caison Cole and Judah Vignery have announced their commitments. Vignery was heavily recruited by GLVC champion William Jewell but chose Drury, which is a promising sign. Will hold off on the third name since he hasn't announced yet. A lot to like on paper, but you never know with JUCO transfers. Foster and his staff have always been good recruiters. They certainly have a tall task ahead this coming season with losing Hardrick, Howell, and Stubbs. But I've heard they're thrilled with their top three commits.

Third one is Elijah Edosa, JR from Rend Lake CC. 6'5", 215. Averaged 14 pts, 9 rebounds this year at Rend Lake. Earned NJCAA D2 All-American honors.

I believe they've also signed:

Christian Hughes - 6'2" redshirt sophomore guard transfer from UALR who played for Coach Briscoe at Kirkwood.
A transfer forward from Grand Valley St, not sure on the name.

These 5 transfers along with the incoming freshman Cale Clingan and the returners Thomas, Sergeant, and Epps have me excited. Significantly more talent and depth than this past year.