Drury Panthers

[panthersclawz1]

Regardless of the outcome of the women's game between UMSL and Drury, USML will be the favorites in the GLVC tournament as it's being held in their gym. That said, I could see a scenario where Maryville knocks them off before the title game because both teams will have good crowds.

[crazznewt]

On the subject of attendance, there were 2000 in attendance at the Missouri State VS Kennisaw State Men's game last night. This would have been another low energy crowd if not for the 100 or so players and staff of the football team whose enthusiasm spread thoughout the arena.

Tonight is the renewal of the "Highway Thirteen Catfight" rivalry games between Drury and SBU. SBU used to bring a busload of students and Drury's national award winning "Fanthers" would show up in force. Usually over 1500, often over 2000 rambunctious fans made for a great atmosphere for college basketball and all the local media had a presence. These games are very important to both schools. Throw out the record books.

Quincy at Maryville and Truman state at UMSL. The scoreboard will be interesting viewing tonight.

[crazznewt]

I've always been a fan of Drury's Kaylee King and her work ethic. After listening to last evening's Drury Coaches show, I'm even more impressed with this young lady. I really hope she is a returner next season. Also hoping Mendel isn't lured away.
These two were instrumental in Drury's win over SBU last week after Rhi Gibbons left the game with an injury early in the 3rd quarter. Again, SBU has vastly improved over the last month. If coach Harrell would focus more on her team and not on the officials so much, they might pull an upset on Thursday. Their home game with Maryville is one the Saints cant afford to lose.


Molly Miller's Arizona State team is on the NCAA tournament bubble. Not bad considering that team was 21-42 the previous 2 seasons.

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell, is not having such a good season. Caldwell's team is in danger of falling out of NCAA tournament consideration and former Tennessee players are criticizing her. She has criticized her team in the media and faced criticism for avoiding the opposing coach in a postgame handshake line. Analysts are saying her style of play is "too gimmicky for the SEC". Tennessee basketball does not appear to be improving. We will see how long she lasts considering how fast kellie harper was cut loose.

[Bballfan]

Kim Caldwell had a crazy meteoric rise. From winning a D2 championship in 2022, to spending just one year at Marshall, and then getting one of the most coveted women's basketball coaching jobs in the country. I know like Mulkey, she takes chances on questionable players, and sometimes that can backfire.

Quite frankly I was surprised she went to Tennessee as the expectations are unrealistic there. You also have to deal with a lot of powerhouse programs and coaching icons in that league. Tennessee just can't accept they are not as relevant as they once where.

[crazznewt]

The Lady Panthers, despite playing without their second best inside defender, beat the 20th ranked UMSL Tritons 93-80. The Tritons had been holding the opposition to 54 points a game before this one. Drury shot 62.5% from the field, 45.5% from three and 85.7% from the line. Sara Mendel shot 9 of 11 from the field and clearly outplayed the Triton's league MVP candidate, Mara Rieder. Kaylee king scored 27 on 9 of 11 from the field, 3 of 5 from 3, and 6 of 6 from the line. Drury had 6 team turnovers.

Molly Miller is getting national attention for her success at Arizona State. Ticket sales and fan excitement are way up in Tempe. On Jan. 28, ASU beat Arizona 68-61 in a Territorial Cup matchup that saw 6,121 fans in attendance - the most ever for a game between the two programs played at ASU. Ticket sales for next season are also selling fast. Here is a recent interview ESPN had with her on SportsCenter:

https://youtu.be/kcWHUV3gRdk?si=oCjqNoxSkmgRo44G


Central Missouri Women secured at least a share of the MIAA title, as Reese Schaaf had 26 points and 14 rebounds against Missouri Southern. This was her league leading 15th double double. Her numbers are a little down from last season. She is 2nd in the MIAA in scoring, 2nd in rebounding, 1st in fg percentage, 3rd in free thow percentage, 9th in assists, 4th in steals.

[Bballfan]

That's crazy insane shooting for Drury. Either UMSL played no defense or Drury was just on fire.

IF Mendel won the league MVP, she could be in line for All-American recognition. Not sure without that she would. Not with so many good players in the GLIAC this year.

Will all come down to next week to see if anyone else from the GLVC can secure a tournament berth besides UMSL. I think Drury and Maryville are definitely candidates that can make it happen. Not 100% sure how they will seed the tournament next week (I don't totally understand the GLVC rules), but the team that only has to play one of those three teams will have an advantage.

[crazznewt]

Drury was on fire. UMSL played good defense. The Lady Panthers have become a very athletic and outstanding jump shooting team. Last nights exhibition of this was prolific.
This type of play really taxes the legs and is not usually conducive for success in a tournament. I think they locked up the 2nd seed over Maryville though, so they dont have to play 3 straight games next weekend.

UMSL's very athletic Mara Rieder repeatedly guarded Mendel 15 feet from the basket, which was a huge mistake. Mendel first stepped Reider every time, and finished very strong. I hope there were no D1 scouts at this game, because Mendel definitely has a decision to make after this season.

The lack of interior depth was very apparent last night, as Drury could not guard Ranthum. Audra Pasakarnis' presence would have helped.

If Drury beats S and T Saturday, Bailey should be named GLVC COY. Without a doubt.

[Bballfan]

I am sorry...but you can't play good defense and give up 90+ :)

Drury has been playing well the second half of the season for sure. If it wasn't for such a slow start, they would be in the tournament discussion. But, the entire body of work is considered. I look at last year when Ferris was great the first half of the season, lost their All-American, and limped across the finish line. They still made the tournament, but got bounced quickly.

I would love to watch the GLVC tournament, but alas the GLVC is one conference that still doesn't want to get with the program. Many D2 conferences are now FloSports. Still a pain to buy, but at least it allows me to watch multiple leagues across the country.

[crazznewt]

If I didn't see this game, I would think the same thing. UMSL ran into an offensive buzzsaw last night. They are long and have the classic wide stance on defense. They were kept off balance by quick first steps and athletic pull up jumpers. This is one of the best defensive teams by the numbers in the nation and they did not give up easy shots. Sorry, saying a poor defensive effort is the reason Drury had offensive success on this occasion, is like saying Joe Dumars had a poor defensive effort when Jordan would score 30 on him Also, Bailey had a great game plan.

[crazznewt]

This was a perfect matchup at this time for the Lady Panthers. Again, a perfect game plan by the coaching staff. Yes, there is a deficiency in UMSL's defense. They do not press. That aspect helps the Lady Panthers big time. More than it would most teams.

[crazznewt]

Well, the numbers from this game back up what was obvious all along. Drury started the season with three glaring weaknesses. Ball handling, which has improved. Also inside depth (44 to 20) paint scoring in favor of S and T today) and scoring depth: (29 to 7 bench points S and T). The Lady Panthers outside shooting has been their strength. They shot 33% today, 11.8 percent from three. That has been a concern of mine that I had mentioned in a previous post. Over the years, I have heard more than one coach say a powerful jump shooter needs forty two to seventy hours to fully recover to one hundred percent leg power after a taxing game. I was glad Drury had one week to prepare for UMSL for that reason.
To me, Taliah Norman needed to develop quicky to help Mendel (20 points on 8 of 11 today). This problem is now compounded by the absence of Audra Pasakarnis.

I still believe the coaching staff has done a phenomenal job with what they've got. They have key pieces coming next season, they need to keep key players from defecting.

They play on Thursday, they are not done yet, the matchups obviously mean everything. I know the game plan I would use if matchups permit. If is a big word.

Edit: Drury plays on Friday, not Thursday

[Bballfan]

Problem with conference tournaments is multiple games in a short time frame. Not conducive for short benches and the recovery time is even more condensed.

[crazznewt]

Problem with conference tournaments is multiple games in a short time frame. Not conducive for short benches and the recovery time is even more condensed.

This is very true. Mendel was the only Drury player who was efficient from the field today. She also is not a jump shooter. Its so hard to remain consistent on your jump shot if you are an inch or two shorter than usual on your vertical.

[Bballfan]

It is why a lot of coaches loath the conference tournaments. They are basically a money grab and the only benefit is for a team to "play in" to the tournament. For teams already in the big dance, the conference tournament means little in the grand scheme of things. Why wear yourself out when a week later you are playing for what really matters.

[crazznewt]

These conference tournament games are important to most, if not all student athletes. The player reactions alone after a tournament victory is proof of this. Not every kid is blessed to play for a huge university like a Grand Valley or Wayne State and the obvious advantages they have. Once my team is eliminated, post season basketball becomes meaningless to me because money has squeezed the little guys out. You know, the ones that can only offer a good education, great fan support and maybe lunch money?