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  • Some quick random thoughts:
    *If they keep adding teams, it will turn into the N (No-one) C (Cares) A (About) A (Anymore) D1 league. Competing for a D1 conference title is the best 90% of these teams can ever hope for. Maybe once every 4 years they might make the "Big Dance" as a 15 seed.

    *Saint Louis University fell to Maryville on the Billiken's home floor by 8, and is the latest D1 to fall to a GLVC women's team.

    *This same SLU team beat a Drury alumnus Paige Robinson led Illinois State team by 10 and Drury beat Maryville by 18 in STL.

    *By the way, Paige Robinson is 18th in scoring (20.6) for all of D1. This includes 53% from the field, 49% from 3, and still shoots with range and a quick release. To top it off, she is probably the best defender on the team. Robinson is an early favorite for the Missouri Valley Conference MVP award, having already been honored with one conference player and two newcomer of the week awards. Her efficient 37 points on 7 of 7 from 3 against Wisconsin opened some eyes.

    *There are some good players in the GLVC, and Maryville's Antoinette Mussorici is one of them. She is one the few players who can score in bunches AND get in your face on defense. To be a scorer but not back it with the same intensity on defense is not first team worthy in my opinion. Drury has three players who all should be first team all league at season's end.

    *My early pick for league MVP is Terrion Moore. She can have an off night offensively and still dominate the game in ways that are not noted in the box score. She is the best athlete and defender in every game she plays.

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    • The number 5 Lady Panthers appear to be in great position going into the mandated break after 2 big wins in Florida, including a double figure victory against #8 Eckerd.
      The coaching staff does an excellent job every season of developing a productive bench. This season, 9 players average between 13 and 29 minutes a game. Having a deep team certainly helped the girls overcome adversity on this trip.

      It is really easy to be a casual fan of this program that recruits mainly local talent, has an all time record of 587 wins and 117 losses, has been in the top 25 for 140 consecutive weeks and in the top 10 for 78 straight weeks. As a result, their games consistently are among the highest attended in all of D2.


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      • The number 3 Lady Panthers are playing the most consistent basketball in the conference. They not only lead the GLVC in scoring, they also lead in defense.
        Then number 8 Eckerd, ranked 6th nationally in assist to turnover ratio, turned the ball over 19 times against Drury. The following day the Tritons beat Truman by 30. The Lady Panthers held S and T to 8 made field goals two days after the Miners dominated SBU.
        Amy and staff has a nice rotation set and players seem to be adjusting to their roles nicely. Drury has three players that will be in the running for league MVP IMO. Maybe Covid and injury won't be a factor this season for the first time in a few years.

        Another testament to the strength of this program: After 11 games, Drury grad Paige Robinson leads all Missouri Valley Conference teams in scoring, including that 37 she dropped on the University of Wisconsin in efficient fashion.

        Former Jewell and GLVC all Freshman player AinsleyTolson, is playing for her third school, Baker University.



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        • The Drury Men looked good in the second half of their win today. I still believe this team will be good before season's end with that almost entirely new roster of mostly underclassmen. Preston Cook had a great game that included a highlight reel dunk in the halfcourt. This game was well attended considering the date.
          Just when it was looking like the Drury Women was the only league team capable of pulling off a big win, Lewis upset number 1 Grand Valley in Michigan! And Indianapolis upset Ferris State, also on the road.

          Was thumbing through the GLVC Network and stopped on the one game being played between Rockhurst and Baker. What stood out besides Keegan Sullivan's second half dominance was the unruly Baker crowd who were unusally hard on the officials. I thought the game was called well.

          Grace

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          • I don't understand why good teams schedule lower division teams that aren't even good at their level. I guess it gives the bench players some playing time, sometimes pads the won - loss record and sometimes makes the season box score look better.
            Grand Valley Women have played one of the weakest schedules you will ever see for a good team, and it came back to haunt them at home against Lewis, who have played a tough schedule.

            The Lady Panthers' non conference schedule was very strong, including the game against a very good NAIA team that is one of the most athletic teams they will face all season. Truman and Ashland have also played tough schedules, and along with Lewis, will likely see this pay off in the long run.

            The Lady Panthers will likely move to number two in the regional and national polls behind the always tough Ashland Eagles. It will be interesting to see how far Grand Valley drops in Tuesday's polls since they lost at home to an unranked team.

            I like the Lady Panther's chances in the post season if their young players keep improving at this rate.


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            • Originally posted by crazznewt View Post
              I don't understand why good teams schedule lower division teams that aren't even good at their level. I guess it gives the bench players some playing time, sometimes pads the won - loss record and sometimes makes the season box score look better.
              Grand Valley Women have played one of the weakest schedules you will ever see for a good team, and it came back to haunt them at home against Lewis, who have played a tough schedule.

              The Lady Panthers' non conference schedule was very strong, including the game against a very good NAIA team that is one of the most athletic teams they will face all season. Truman and Ashland have also played tough schedules, and along with Lewis, will likely see this pay off in the long run.

              The Lady Panthers will likely move to number two in the regional and national polls behind the always tough Ashland Eagles. It will be interesting to see how far Grand Valley drops in Tuesday's polls since they lost at home to an unranked team.

              I like the Lady Panther's chances in the post season if their young players keep improving at this rate.

              I have said this all along that Grand Valley's schedule was crazy weak. They have a good team yes, but the GLIAC since Ashland left is a 1 team conference. Ashland just beat the 2nd best GLIAC team Michigan Tech by 28 points last week. Half of GV's non conferences teams I have never heard of.

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              • Like the Lady Panthers, I'm sure Ashland gets everyone's best shot. However, I don't see any GMAC team beating Ashland this season. It's unfortunate that Grand Valley, Ashland and Drury have to play in the same regional. I think the Central region is loaded also.

                I think Lewis is emerging as the favorite to de-throne Drury in the GLVC even though they lost at home to Truman. The Flyers didn't play well early last season but made it to the conference championship with the exact same team.

                Some others:
                *Truman is big, beat Lewis, but got dominated by a weak SBU team for the second straight season. On any given day though they can pull an upset if rested, IMO.

                *Quincy, MO S and T and Maryville are very athletic and are capable of an upset in the league tournament, IMO

                *SBU is huge and have gone through multiple lineup changes. Their only good win was against Truman. They did win their first ever post season game as a GLVC member last season.

                *Rockhurst has some talent but no good wins. Hopefully the one Hawks player who showed demonstrative, disrespectful behavior in all three games against Drury last season learned in general, its not wise to give good players extra motivation.

                *UMSL is not playing good ball as Stewart appears to still be hobbled.

                *Haven't watched Indy yet.

                Hopefully everybody can stay healthy and injury free and let this play out.

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                • Panther fans have been patiently waiting for one of the high profile freshmen to have a breakout game. It finally happened in the person of guard Logan Applegate, who scored 31 points on 11 of 15 in the victory over Mckendree. Hopefully this starts an upward trend.

                  The Lady Panthers beat Mckendree by 39 and the final score could have been much worse. Drury had 5 in double figures and scored 96 points. By the time conference season is over, the GLVC stat leaders page will have a whole different look.

                  Across town, Illinois State Women beat Missouri State by 4. Drury grad Paige Robinson scored an efficient 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and no turnovers. She was clearly the best player on the floor and didn't disappoint her many fans in attendance at Great Southern Arena.

                  Here are words you have never heard in the same sentence: Rockhurst sweeps UMSL in basketball.

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                  • The GLVC needs to address player behavior before things get out of hand. Yesterday, there were numerous chippy knocking away of a defender's legal arm position, players repeatedly getting in an opponent's face after a score, players yelling from the bench, players repeatedly "shushing" the crowd, coaches that modeled that behavior by loudly and constantly displaying frustration (spinning, throwing arms in air, screaming, etc) with players and referees.
                    I'm not so naive that I think the home team is 100% innocent however, all one has to do is watch the games on replay, especially the U of Indianapolis Women's bench - the guys in the white shirts. The referees tried to control that game as there were SIXTY-FIVE fouls called.

                    The GLVC women's tournament back in '19 is an example of what could happen when a coach is not held accountable for bench decorum. The Bellarmine coach was out of control the whole game and her players were frustrated as a result. The final result was suspensions and repremands after a mistaken Bellarmine player assaulted a Drury player in retaliation for a perceived cheap shot.

                    If action is not taken, this will not end well.

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                    • UMSL Women upset Lewis Monday in double overtime. Stewart is looking more mobile of late and is commanding double teams making it easy to get others open. Indy Women, UMSL, and Lewis have been up and down all season, as has Truman who has one league loss to 2 GLVC win SBU, who they barely beat today in Kirksville

                      The Lady Panthers are still consistently winning despite that huge target on their back as it would look good on a competitor's resume if they could pull off the upset. Usually, Drury opponents' biggest, loudest crowds are when the Lady Panthers are in town. On that same topic, look for Truman to bring a vocal group for Saturday's game in Springfield as the "Dogs" fans were loud and proud on their Florida trip. Hopefully, the "Fanthers" will be joined by some classmates just like old times.

                      Reese Shaaf is the best freshman in the league IMO. The league MVP, Defensive Player, and Freshman of the Year picks may not always be awarded to the best players (like last year) as these awards are most often based on just numbers. Unlike most other teams, Drury does not need a player or two to carry the team every single game, thus resulting in the scoring load being spread among more players. Three Lady Panthers have won 4 GLVC player of the week awards this season and the coaches have developed a nice balance in the rotation... earlier this season, Drury beat Quincy 77 to 55 in Springfield. Monday in Quincy, The score was 87 to 49 and no Lady Panther played over 23 minutes or scored more than 12 points.

                      ​​​​​​​This team is not unbeatable as the one point overtime loss to Ashland proved, but they will be a tough draw for anyone they face going forward.
                      Last edited by crazznewt; 01-16-2023, 11:43 PM.

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                      • The Panthers should have won in Quincy. The referees swallowed their whistles at the end of that game. Should have been a charge or at least a travel called on the Hawks. Nonetheless, Drury's young team is still improving. Also, freshman Logan Applegate will be in the running for GLVC freshman of the year.

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                        • Thankful I get to watch meaningful basketball today as the Lady Panthers play Truman in a matchup of two teams that seem to be hitting their stride and two men's teams who are in danger of being left out of the postseason.

                          I like watching
                          Truman's Hannah Belanger play. She gets to her spots quick and has the strength to finish her shots consistently with good form. She takes the bulk of their shots as she has 278 attempts thus far. She will likely get the league MVP.

                          The MT Vernon, MO varsity girls had to cancel the remainder of ther season because of multiple injuries. They started the season with 10 players and now are down to five. This is a team that was state runners-up a couple seasons ago.

                          Paige Robinson is playing with a painful injury again. This time a severely sprained left wrist that caused her to miss the Belmont game. She has matured into a tough young lady. I remember her crying as a young freshman after an ankle injury.
                          She is a candidate for the Missouri Valley Conference MVP. Hopefully she gets the chance to showcase her full potential without the hindrance of another injury.




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                          • Big win by the Lady Panthers as they proved they can more than manage being in foul trouble as Daniels and Hitt helped carry the team when DaMitz and Moore had to go to the bench in the first half. They came in and hit big shots, but I was especially impressed with Hitt crashing the boards against much bigger players and the precision passing by Daniels.

                            Early in the game, Truman's Hannah Belanger showed she can score in bunches if the defense isn't focused on stopping her first. Later, Moore and DaMitz proved they each can guard her very effectively one on one. Truman is a good team, but It would appear that as Belanger goes, Truman goes.

                            The Lady Panthers out rebounded the bigger Bulldogs 40 to 30, including 15 offensive. This was an impressive performance on the boards as Truman came into the game leading the GLVC in defensive rebounds and rebound margin.

                            Other highlights were Moore and DaMitz showing no fear on drives to the hoop and Findley's explosive athletism in the open court enroute to seven steals. Also impressive was the attendance of 1275 despite the lack of a big student presence yet again.





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                            • Adversity last night for the Drury Women who were trailing at the half to SBU and in some foul trouble again. The Bearcat student body showed up big and were loud as Drury had no answer for SBU's 6'6" Tori Hamilton in the first half.

                              The Lady Panthers outscored SBU by 30 in the second half and shut off Hamilton as Drury has some absolute warriors on both sides of the ball. DaMitz-Holt scored 16 after halftime, including a couple made shots right in front of a crowd of rowdy students at courtside .

                              Findley had the play of the game as she posted the 6'6" Hamilton on the right side of the lane, pivoted to the triple threat, and crossed the lane extending to her left to avoid the shot block and finishing in athletic fashion. The SBU students were shaking their heads in admiration of that one. Alana routinely makes tough shots over and around much bigger players. She also had another big defensive game, adding to her big conference lead in steals.

                              I have witnessed other team's top scorers repeatedly take plays off, especially on the defensive end. All one has to do is look at the defensive numbers on the GLVC stat page to see that some of the top scorers are average at best on defense. Players that can make the big play on offense, but not on defense.

                              Freshman Rhi Gibbons scored 20 points on a variety of athletic finishes inside and a couple of perfect form jump shots. The future looks bright with with all the returners and highly touted recruits coming next season. This includes one recruit who made 11 threes the other night, and another who just broke the rebounding record at her school.
                              Findley returning for her covid year would make the fan base very happy and add an All American caliber player to an already loaded 2023-2024 roster.

                              What is it with these play by play commentators and their butchering of player's hometowns? Last month, the Florida Southern announcers repeatedly said Allie Clevenger is from "Cleaver," MO. Last night, the SBU announcer repeatedly said Rhi Gibbons is from "Nixa, Arkansas".



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                              • The Southwest Baptist student body dominated the game atmosphere Thursday night and the SBU teams responded with more confidence and energy as a result. The Drury students used to participate but that is no longer the case. Even Rockhurst has better student attendance at games.

                                Despite this, Drury still leads the conference in attendance with an average of 1257 a game.
                                By comparison, Molly Miller's D1 Grand Canyon team drew 508 to their last game at home, a loss to Southern Utah. They average 1017 a game for the season. Paige Robinson's Illinois State team played in front of 541 fans in their win at Valparaiso Friday night.

                                Robinson by the way, scored 21 points in the first half of that game despite that heavily wrapped left wrist. She obviously is putting in extra work as her total game and her athleticism keep improving.

                                The Drury Men have never recovered from the repeated high turnover compounded by the covid disruption. I believe they are headed the right direction, but it's taking time to restore the winning culture and it doesn't look like the Panthers will have a chance to redeem themselves in the postseason. This is another reason the overall attendance is down.


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