Drury Panthers

[Bballfan]

I have seen jucos work out great. I have seen jucos work out bad. they are a roll of the dice, but in today's environment of college athletics everything appears to be a gamble when it comes to talent, which may or may not be on the team more than a semester.

Was reading about a college athlete last night. Vball player. She should still be in high school mind you, but enrolled early at a Power 4 school. After one semester she is hitting the portal. Hasn't even made it to the start of the regular season and already bolting! Girl should have just stayed for her senior year of high school and had fun I guess.

[DUPanther]

I have seen jucos work out great. I have seen jucos work out bad. they are a roll of the dice, but in today's environment of college athletics everything appears to be a gamble when it comes to talent, which may or may not be on the team more than a semester.

In today's world, transfers are about the only way to get talent that has college level experience. Freshmen who end up being all-conference caliber players won't stay, and it's really hard to win with them in the first year.

[Bballfan]

In today's world, transfers are about the only way to get talent that has college level experience. Freshmen who end up being all-conference caliber players won't stay, and it's really hard to win with them in the first year.

For sure. I have even been pondering, and it is an awful thing to say, but should there even be any all-conference awards anymore? More and more athletes are just using them as a resume builder. I know they won't get rid of these awards, but they certainly create a void in conference talent.

[crazznewt]

For sure. I have even been pondering, and it is an awful thing to say, but should there even be any all-conference awards anymore? More and more athletes are just using them as a resume builder. I know they won't get rid of these awards, but they certainly create a void in conference talent.

Evangel Women (NAIA) has lost a player to our old conference buddy Marc Mitchell at Indiana State. This will be Heaven Shockley's 4th college after playing for 2 different high schools.

[Bballfan]

The Sycamores. A program vested in mediocrity. Their 15 minutes of fame ended decades ago and they play in conference that nobody even cares about. D1 conferences without football (not even FCS) get even less attention.

Good spot for him (and her to go to there). Congrats. You finally made it to playing D1. If that is what you want to call it.

[crazznewt]

I've seen lots of matchups between Shockley and Sara Mendel in summer ball. The only spot on the floor Shockley is possibly better is within 5 feet of the goal. Drury is indeed blessed Mendel is still a Lady Panther.

I agree with DUPanther's optimism for the men's team. I believe Epps, Thomas and possibly Sargeant will make big strides as sophomores and finishi with post season awards.

I am intrigued by the possible frontcourt duo of Kevin Thomas and the juco All-American Elijah Edosa who finished just shy of averaging a double double. He is athletic and wide. Add Sargeant to this mix and they should be able to match the physicality of the top teams in the conference, an element that had been missing for years.

Edosa:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSnLx...F3bjNhemN5amxn

[crazznewt]

Drury has not announced, but it is already on social media, 5'11 red shirt freshman PG, Evan Simon, is transfering from Illinois Springfield to Drury. A I (not Alan Iverson) says: "Ranked among the top 2025 players in Missouri, with interest from schools like illinois Chicago, Evansville, and UMKC." He averaged twenty points a game each of his last two seasons at Kirkwood high school in suburban Saint Louis.

[crazznewt]

Ex Drury player Zoe Newland, who rarely saw the floor as a Lady Panther, is now playing D1 ball at Southeast Missouri State.

I stumbled upon this comprehensive assessment. I think it was titled D1 prospects in JUCO(?) .

"1. Elijah Edosa — Rend Lake Community College
Shooting Guard/Small Forward — 6’5” — Sophomore — Scarborough, ON
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X Profile
What’s intriguing about Edosa is how he’s combining strength and creativity as a closeout scorer. He’s a true wing who shows signs of playing as a skill-forward as well. Great rebounder at over nine boards per game, while he’s tremendously efficient by finishing close to 60% from the field. That’s exciting because he’s taking his fair share of tough shots during a game as well. Body control is the key with him. Great core, fluid hips. Has creativity when he puts the ball on the floor in closeouts, but the handles are decent at best.
He’s putting up big numbers, averaging close to 18 points per game, and that’s a positive as he’s showing he has a scalable role. At 225 pounds, he has broad shoulders while filling his frame well. He’s mostly pressuring the rim, turning face-up scoring into post-up play as well. The footwork combined with him winning space on his bump-ins against defenders has his clear focus on finishing down hill as much as possible. The three-point shooting dropped to 25% this season, but that’s not a big issue for me as the volume is low in both seasons. He has decent mechanics, but is a slow shooter, and thus should only serve as a stationary one when needed.
Overall, the toughness and brute strength puts him in good categories as a defender. Over 2.5 stocks per game, where he’s a tough interior presence and a decent shot blocker, showing good verticality despite the big body. He’s actively playing the passing lanes or helping, but there is some gambling for steals accounted in the total as well. With the role versatility of him switching and defending against fours, Edosa should increase a team’s defensive rating overall when he’s at the next level. I expect him to be a starter for many low-major Division I prospects."

it sounds like Drury got a good one.

[crazznewt]

I love Molly Miller's recruiting philosophy. Scoring numbers are not as important as intensity and that bounce in a player's step. It's nice to find those players that fit all that criteria. Molly's recruiting certainly has been getting rave reviews from multiple sources. Here are a couple.

USA Today:
"Arizona State and Oklahoma State look like big winners of women's basketball's transfer portal season. Texas is among the losers."

ESPN has ASU in their "Way too early top 25" due to Molly's recruiting (including high school) success:
"After reloading through the portal, there's now 4 @Big12Conference WBB teams now listed on ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25.

No. 14 TCU
No. 22 Oklahoma State
No. 23 Arizona State
No. 25 West Virginia"

Also, It looks like the Lady Panthers will be a more athletic team this winter. The whole process will be fun to watch.

[crazznewt]

https://youtu.be/ZDnKPgDdlPk?si=O-1oHTH8iZ_GWvwa

[crazznewt]

Another Drury Incoming all state freshman:
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1567054...25b7183ccb8d47

One scouting report said:
"Arkansas is full of talented shooters and '26 Hudson Rorex has to be near the top of the list. Unwavering confidence as a spot up threat, shooting through hard closeouts with little time/space needed to let it fly. Good understanding of spacing as well"


It looks to me like this kid is more than a "spot up shooter". Looks good off the dribble also. His shot wont ever be flat because he keeps his elbow up nicely. Averaged 24 a game and scored over 2100 for career.

I'm wondering how Brenley Hagewood fits into the scheme of things this season. He had a great high school career and is a phenomenal athlete.

[crazznewt]

According to A I, the common theme on what looks to be Bailey's best Drury recruiting class is "big motor". This one is 6'0" and athletic.
Scouting report on Emma Atkins:

Dominant Rebounding Guard: Despite being listed as a guard, Atkins shows elite rebounding ability for her position, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds, earning All-State honors while leading her team to the Arkansas Class 3A state semifinals.

Versatility & Motor: Described as a multi-sport athlete with significant success in track and field, including back-to-back state championships, a top-5 finish in the 400m and triple jump, and a top-3 finish in the high jump.

Style of Play: She is a high-motor player who operates well in transition and uses her speed and athletic ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

Projected Impact
Atkins projects as a high-energy guard for the Lady Panthers who can contribute immediately on the glass and in transition, fitting the typical high-tempo, aggressive style of the Drury program.

Abbreviated report on Josie Salazar says she has elite speed, and elite defensive and transition abilities.Big motor! Needs to slow her game at times.

[Bballfan]

I always like to look at their social media to get a feel. Her AAU team certainly was not shy in posting stuff about her. They really pump out tweets about their players.

Looked like Drury was her best offer from a winning women's program, so a good decision by her.

[crazznewt]

I always like to look at their social media to get a feel. Her AAU team certainly was not shy in posting stuff about her. They really pump out tweets about their players.

Looked like Drury was her best offer from a winning women's program, so a good decision by her.

Nicely worded. You probably didn't know that the Lady Panthers have a strong connection to Mountain View High School through a father of one of Drury's players. Did you see that Mountain View High School girls won thirty two games this season and is regarded as one of the top teams in the state? I'm not going to bother to go into further details... yet.

[crazznewt]

Former Missouri State guard Zoey Canfield has transfered to Oklahoma State, her third college in three seasons (also suited up for Kansas). It's amazing how much in demand she is considering she very rarely saw the floor her first two seasons of college ball.