22 pages on the old thread let's start fresh for the new year.
Opener vs. Butler in Indy on Friday.
Butler's roster is down to 10 players, 5 are true freshman, one a redshirt freshman and one a 5th year senior who played (pretty well) last year after four years of volleyball.
Looking at our roster photo I am struck by:
1. Lindfors is really tall
2. Scott-Thompson looks a lot like Richardson from a few years back. Same number, same size
3. Donchetz and Schofield could be sisters.
4. Schaub was a 5 year letterman in high school.
5. Anne Marie Hamlet and Meredith Hamlet could be sisters, wait they are....
Quote from: IndyValpo on November 09, 2015, 10:28:09 AM
22 pages on the old thread let's start fresh for the new year.
Opener vs. Butler in Indy on Friday.
Butler's roster is down to 10 players, 5 are true freshman, one a redshirt freshman and one a 5th year senior who played (pretty well) last year after four years of volleyball.
Looking at our roster photo I am struck by:
1. Lindfors is really tall
2. Scott-Thompson looks a lot like Richardson from a few year back. Same number, same size
3. Donchetz and Schofield could be sisters.
4. Schaub was a 5 year letterman in high school.
5. Anne Marie Hamlet and Meredith Hamlet could be sisters, wait they are....
This is Dorow's fourth season. With the top two scorers and rebounders from last year returning as sophomores, and some senior leadership in Miller and Dean, I'd really like to see this team play some close games this year (they had one 6 point win and one 7 point loss last year). Hopefully, the freshmen will be pushing for significant playing time and improving as the year progresses.
They seem to have more talent potential this season then last. Noticeable improvement is a must this year. I believe they must be more creative on offense. The vanilla offense they ran last season was predictable and unproductive. They should be able to mix things up a lot more with the roster they have.
They also need a strong court leader. We have a lot of guards once again. I'm hoping a couple of them can truly step up to a point guard role and direct traffic. We had several that tried last season, but we only had one true point guard.
Our bigs have to play BIG. We were killed last year on the inside game. Positioning and footwork has to be a priority in practice for us to have any success.
I wish these ladies the best of luck this season. Let the games begin!
Quote from: jack on November 10, 2015, 06:54:52 AM
They seem to have more talent potential this season then last. Noticeable improvement is a must this year. I believe they must be more creative on offense. The vanilla offense they ran last season was predictable and unproductive. They should be able to mix things up a lot more with the roster they have.
They also need a strong court leader. We have a lot of guards once again. I'm hoping a couple of them can truly step up to a point guard role and direct traffic. We had several that tried last season, but we only had one true point guard.
Our bigs have to play BIG. We were killed last year on the inside game. Positioning and footwork has to be a priority in practice for us to have any success.
I wish these ladies the best of luck this season. Let the games begin!
Well, we beat Purdue Calumet by 16. PC (currently ranked #11) is now 3-1 (after beating #5 Indiana Weslyan by 20!)and expects to play for a National Championship(NAIA Div. 2). We should be pretty good.
Butler went 1-1 in exhibition play. Beating NAIA Marian and losing to D2 Walsh.
Did everyone see the women's twitter page releases? Grace Hales and Caitlin Morrison are officially crusaders!
Quote from: ValpoFan101 on November 12, 2015, 09:46:05 AM
Did everyone see the women's twitter page releases? Grace Hales and Caitlin Morrison are officially crusaders!
You can add Addison Stoller and Marlee Profitt to the team as well. Some very nice height coming in. Profitt is 6'1" as is Morrison. Hales is 6'.
Quote from: vu72 on November 12, 2015, 03:39:19 PM
Quote from: ValpoFan101 on November 12, 2015, 09:46:05 AM
Did everyone see the women's twitter page releases? Grace Hales and Caitlin Morrison are officially crusaders!
You can add Addison Stoller and Marlee Profitt to the team as well. Some very nice height coming in. Profitt is 6'1" as is Morrison. Hales is 6'.
I found this info:
http://www.goshennews.com/sports/westview-senior-signs-full-ride-with-valpo/article_fa185c69-fe31-5325-8479-ee5f5554c3b1.html (http://www.goshennews.com/sports/westview-senior-signs-full-ride-with-valpo/article_fa185c69-fe31-5325-8479-ee5f5554c3b1.html)
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/prep-sports/girls-basketball/2015-06-25/cissna-parks-stoller-gets-shot-valpo.html (http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/prep-sports/girls-basketball/2015-06-25/cissna-parks-stoller-gets-shot-valpo.html)
http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-7421127613423730577/highland-girls-basketball-player-marlee-profitt-commits-to-valaparaiso/ (http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-7421127613423730577/highland-girls-basketball-player-marlee-profitt-commits-to-valaparaiso/)
Looks like recruiting is going well for Dorow. Hopefully, this team will make a turn this season.
Paul Oren article on the motivation for Jasmyn Walker:
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/vu-s-walker-enters-sophomore-season-highly-motivated/article_a1dde7da-f4ff-5279-b0ee-193bbcf0c6e0.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/vu-s-walker-enters-sophomore-season-highly-motivated/article_a1dde7da-f4ff-5279-b0ee-193bbcf0c6e0.html)
I see from the story that Jessi Weidemann is back this year. I seem to remember a statement on this forum that Jessi would not be back due to injury issues. What happened? Is she limited by her injuries and just playing through it?
Lost a great opportunity to come out of the gate strong. If we were going to lose this one, we did so how I envisioned we would. We don't have anyone concentrating on teaching these ladies positioning and footwork down in the block. I've been saying this for years, and it continues to hold true. We gave up 42 offensive rebounds! When you're shooting 26%, there's your game right there. We only turned the ball over 10 times. That's the lowest I've seen it in a long time. Protecting the ball wasn't an issue.
Another concern is offensive output from the guards. Dean and Miller combined for 48 minutes of play, and a total of 2 points. The 2 only looked at the basket 6 times. That's once every 8 minutes. That has to change.
Let's hope the coaches saw the same game or it's going to be another very long season. 10 days of rest and then ND. Not expecting miracles, but should expect improvement.
Not one comment about the loss to Notre Dame at the ARC.
Anyone got anything or was it just too bad a performance to even comment on?
53-18 at half and final of 110-54. Ouch!
Quote from: historyman on November 24, 2015, 06:24:54 PM
Not one comment about the loss to Notre Dame at the ARC.
Anyone got anything or was it just too bad a performance to even comment on?
53-18 at half and final of 110-54. Ouch!
Uh... They were the # 4 or something. Can you imagine UCoONN in the house? Jeez. Sorry, but this program needs to schedule teams that will help them progress. This type of game doesn't grab ya.
What is one good thing that came out of hosting ND?
1 - Good Exposure?
2 - National TV?
3 - Demoralizing our players?
4 - Recruiting Help?
Seriously, why did we schedule that game?
Quote from: ValpoFan on November 24, 2015, 11:00:02 PM
What is one good thing that came out of hosting ND?
1 - Good Exposure?
2 - National TV?
3 - Demoralizing our players?
4 - Recruiting Help?
Seriously, why did we schedule that game?
A few years back we could play them competitively. Maybe you are asking the wrong question?
Quote from: ValpoFan on November 24, 2015, 11:00:02 PM
What is one good thing that came out of hosting ND?
1 - Good Exposure?
2 - National TV?
3 - Demoralizing our players?
4 - Recruiting Help?
Seriously, why did we schedule that game?
There were 1,500 people in the seats. Will easily be the best gate of the year for the Crusaders.
We used to keep the games against ND within 15 points. The last decade has not been so kind against them...
Quote from: ValpoFan on November 24, 2015, 11:00:02 PM
What is one good thing that came out of hosting ND?
1 - Good Exposure?
2 - National TV?
3 - Demoralizing our players?
4 - Recruiting Help?
Seriously, why did we schedule that game?
Any time, in any sport you can get Notre Dame to come to Valpo you schedule it regardless of the outcome. I have to give ND's women's BB credit in researching this they have played us 16 times in the last 21 years and have come to Valpo 8 of those games. There was a time where the games were close (five of those 16 were losses under 10 points) but the last four (both Freeman and Dorow) have averaged almost 50 with the current beating the worst I could find.
History of the series, ND 25 VU 0.
It does help that since this is Women's basketball and not Men's basketball, ND can count on facing minimal (if not non-existent) home court advantage.
Years ago, Pitt's coach admitted as much after playing a small conference school.
I think a loss to ND was expected. The margin of defeat was the real story. We needed to see some improvement from the previous game. We fell short of this goal.
The San Diego tournament was disappointing. It's the same old story. Our positioning and foot work inside will be our detriment this season. We got outrebounded 49 to 24. We pulled down 3 offensive boards while shooting 40%. I don't think we have a coach on staff that is willing or able to work with these ladies on their inside game. Our inability to get position and block out has been apparent in every game so far, yet we continue with more of the same.
I fear we're heading towards another very long season.
3 point loss at home to Miami-Ohio, which is not a good loss. It is now year 4, so I will no longer be stating that this coach needs to be given time.
Quote from: valpotx on December 03, 2015, 02:13:24 AM
3 point loss at home to Miami-Ohio, which is not a good loss. It is now year 4, so I will no longer be stating that this coach needs to be given time.
I watched a good portion of this game and this one was one of the few D1 non-conference games we should win. This has every look of another long season. I am not sure we can beat all three of the non D1 teams.
This staff has won at a 25% clip the last three years which is even worse than Freeman's last three (28%). Short of an unexpected turnaround, I see changes coming.
I agree, this was a bad loss. This should have been the one game to show some improvement and get on the right track. This isn't a squad that can get down big and dig back out. That seems to be the theme now. The one stat that stands out to me: Our center played 27 minutes and pulled down 1 board, and put up 3 pts at the stripe. Granted, she was credited with 6 blocks, but she must be counted on for more boards and more points. As I said before, we just don't have a coach on staff that knows how to work with the bigs.
Off to Kentucky. Need to see improvement.
Quote from: jack on December 03, 2015, 08:02:52 AM
I agree, this was a bad loss. This should have been the one game to show some improvement and get on the right track. This isn't a squad that can get down big and dig back out. That seems to be the theme now. The one stat that stands out to me: Our center played 27 minutes and pulled down 1 board, and put up 3 pts at the stripe. Granted, she was credited with 6 blocks, but she must be counted on for more boards and more points. As I said before, we just don't have a coach on staff that knows how to work with the bigs.
Off to Kentucky. Need to see improvement.
I watched most of the game as well. Not sure you can say they can't dig out of a hole when they were down by 17 and lost by 3. The second half we played much more aggressive. Linfor will be a very good player as she continues to develop skills. I certainly agree on the rebounding. They seemed bigger then us, not sure if that was true.
Year four. We are starting 3 freshmen and a sophomore. Our top four scorers are two freshmen and two sophomores. Jasmyn is the real deal and eating up 9 rebounds a game. It is difficult to win games when you allow your opponent to 47% FG, 39% 3pt'ers, and have a -13 rebounding margin and -4 TO margin. These ladies will need to show incremental improvement over the course of the season. They are young, so it is possible. Is the coaching staff ready to recognize what needs to change and implement those changes?
Quote from: vu72 on December 03, 2015, 08:32:26 AM
Quote from: jack on December 03, 2015, 08:02:52 AM
I agree, this was a bad loss. This should have been the one game to show some improvement and get on the right track. This isn't a squad that can get down big and dig back out. That seems to be the theme now. The one stat that stands out to me: Our center played 27 minutes and pulled down 1 board, and put up 3 pts at the stripe. Granted, she was credited with 6 blocks, but she must be counted on for more boards and more points. As I said before, we just don't have a coach on staff that knows how to work with the bigs.
Off to Kentucky. Need to see improvement.
I watched most of the game as well. Not sure you can say they can't dig out of a hole when they were down by 17 and lost by 3. The second half we played much more aggressive. Linfor will be a very good player as she continues to develop skills. I certainly agree on the rebounding. They seemed bigger then us, not sure if that was true.
They were able to claw back against a mediocre team like the Redhawks, and still came up short. Get down that far against better teams like the ones we face in conference, and I don't see it happening. At 0 and 5 and heading to Kentucky, this coaching staff has to consider some changes in philosophy. What they are doing hasn't worked for several years now. It's tough to compete with anyone if your team has lost confidence in what you're trying to do.
Quote from: jack on December 03, 2015, 11:34:44 AM
Quote from: vu72 on December 03, 2015, 08:32:26 AM
Quote from: jack on December 03, 2015, 08:02:52 AM
I agree, this was a bad loss. This should have been the one game to show some improvement and get on the right track. This isn't a squad that can get down big and dig back out. That seems to be the theme now. The one stat that stands out to me: Our center played 27 minutes and pulled down 1 board, and put up 3 pts at the stripe. Granted, she was credited with 6 blocks, but she must be counted on for more boards and more points. As I said before, we just don't have a coach on staff that knows how to work with the bigs.
Off to Kentucky. Need to see improvement.
I watched most of the game as well. Not sure you can say they can't dig out of a hole when they were down by 17 and lost by 3. The second half we played much more aggressive. Linfor will be a very good player as she continues to develop skills. I certainly agree on the rebounding. They seemed bigger then us, not sure if that was true.
They were able to claw back against a mediocre team like the Redhawks, and still came up short. Get down that far against better teams like the ones we face in conference, and I don't see it happening. At 0 and 5 and heading to Kentucky, this coaching staff has to consider some changes in philosophy. What they are doing hasn't worked for several years now. It's tough to compete with anyone if your team has lost confidence in what you're trying to do.
This is way out of my knowledge base, but Miami has beaten Evansville, Austin Peay and Morehead among others prior to beating us. That could still make them mediocre, I just don't know.
Looks like the women's basketball program is in the same state as football. Young, inexperienced, a couple of playmakers, but not getting results. Yet, at least.
The past three games this team has looked very good at times, and very bad at times. Just a matter of putting a full 40 minutes together. Dorow finally has a point guard capable of playing to her preferred style. They're very young and running a completely new offense so you would think we can expect improvement as everyone gets more comfortable with what they're doing. Need to get off to better starts. Defensive intensity needs to stay at the level of the second half against Miami, the guards can get after it on the perimeter more this year due to improved depth and having a 6'4" girl in the center to protect the paint. Schedule hasn't exactly been light so far. One more loss coming up against Louisville then a chance for 5 straight wins (3 non D1) before conference play. We'll see how it plays out but there's no question this year's team is much better than last.
*Yes I realize there was no flow to that post, just throwing out random thoughts
Quote from: valpo4life on December 04, 2015, 10:01:57 AM
*Yes I realize there was no flow to that post, just throwing out random thoughts
It appears that is also the way this coaching staff is running the team at the moment.
Wow! Watched the entire game and now can say that we are one of the best teams IN THE ENTIRE NATION!!!!!! (NAIA Div II) ???
Squeaked by Cardinal Stritch? Embarrassing.
I think that some schools schedule others for $$ i have heard we paid Purdue Calumet to play us. One of the players father I know personally and he called me about it and told me the amount his daughter received for her tuition in playing that game. So I'm assuming ND and Louisville pay us to play them. Not sure where that $ went but I can guess.
Well if we were playing in the NAIA we would be getting somewhere with two wins and a third coming. Unfortunately we play D1. All teams in the Horizon currently have winning records except for us.
So are we recruiting NAIA players, or are we competing at the D1 level with NAIA coaches?
File under "Interesting."
For the first time in as long a time as I can remember, the Torch is questioning coaching decisions -- in this case, the WBB program (Dateline: December 11). The headline is Women's basketball should start Franklin. This is in reference to Dani Franklin who was last year's HL Freshman of the year, All-Freshman team and the HL's 6th player of the year. The writer seems to make a strong case.
http://www.valpotorch.com/sports/article_fdeb6172-a083-11e5-b296-0b24c5bf278d.html (http://www.valpotorch.com/sports/article_fdeb6172-a083-11e5-b296-0b24c5bf278d.html)
Thoughts?
Incidentally, the article proposes a starting lineup of Schaub (G, 5-5), Dean (G, 5-10) , Franklin (F, 6-1), Walker (F, 5-10), Lindfors (C, 6'4). That's pretty good size, isn't it? Understanding that there are many other variables that have to be taken into account to measure competitiveness, can this line-up, first of all, match up in raw talent with other HL teams?
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 16, 2015, 02:21:37 PM
File under "Interesting."
For the first time in as long a time as I can remember, the Torch is questioning coaching decisions -- in this case, the WBB program (Dateline: December 11). The headline is Women's basketball should start Franklin. This is in reference to Dani Franklin who was last year's HL Freshman of the year, All-Freshman team and the HL's 6th player of the year. The writer seems to make a strong case.
http://www.valpotorch.com/sports/article_fdeb6172-a083-11e5-b296-0b24c5bf278d.html (http://www.valpotorch.com/sports/article_fdeb6172-a083-11e5-b296-0b24c5bf278d.html)
Thoughts?
Incidentally, the article proposes a starting lineup of Schaub (G, 5-5), Dean (G, 5-10) , Franklin (F, 6-1), Walker (F, 5-10), Lindfors (C, 6'4). That's pretty good size, isn't it? Understanding that there are many other variables that have to be taken into account to measure competitiveness, can this line-up, first of all, match up in raw talent with other HL teams?
I would agree that the coaches need to look at not only the starting lineup, but matchups and how well certain groups do when they are on the floor. We've had the same starting five for every game - how is that working for you? Whether Franklin is a starter or comes off the bench, she needs more minutes.
This team might not get to the same 2 HL wins as last year. If so, ml may need to assess the current situation and see if ND has an assistant that would like to start a program from scratch.
When you factor in total compensation (salary + benefits + earnings from camps), all but the third assistant at ND makes considerably more than Dorrow.
But back to the original point, yes, when you're 2-7, changes should be made - although Franklin's numbers are down quite a bit from last year.
After realizing her potential last season, I didn't think it made sense not to start her then. She may have been further along defensively if they had. I just don't see the changes being made that need to be, for this team to have success. We can't continue down the same path as last year and hope for the best, while those in our conference seem to be getting better.
We're young, lack true experience at the college level from a good majority of the roster, and have more role players that are in the wrong roles than we have the players who can step out of a comfort zone and take control when someone HAS to do it. From what I've seen, we don't have a player on the roster who can take the game on their shoulders and run it with the confidence needed to lead. It feels too much like the floor general is wearing heals and a skirt with her arms crossed watching the action, rather than being one of the players in the gold or white with squeaky basketball shoes and a pony tail. I haven't found anyone on this roster that could do that. Sure, we have a point guard that is supposed to be the floor general, but does she really have the attitude on the court to get the others under her nails and gritting out victories?
The Valpo teams of 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 would beat the recent women's teams of the last 6-7 years by 20+. It is sad to see the state of a program that was pretty good.
from the Valpo site....as we pulled off the rare double header victory
Defense, Rebounding Drive Valpo to Win over SIU-Edwardsville
Saturday, December 19, 2015
One of Valpo's best defensive efforts of the calendar year resulted in a 69-56 win over visiting SIU-Edwardsville Saturday afternoon at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
Abby Dean (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), Dani Franklin (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/George Washington), and Meredith Hamlet (McBain, Mich./McBain) all scored in double figures, but the Crusaders held the Cougars to just 36 points over the game's final 30 minutes.
In addition to a season-high 15 points, Dean squeezed a career-best eight boards. Valpo enjoyed a 50-31 rebounding margin, its deepest surplus since outboarding Purdue Calumet by 27 on December 30th, 2014.
The Brown and Gold spotted SIUE ten points out of the gate. The Cougars' Sydney Bauman knocked down an eight-footer to cap the 10-0 game-opening surge.
Franklin put an end to that with a layup on a nice feed from Lexi Miller (Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia). The sophomore posted five first-quarter points as the Crusaders cut the deficit to seven points after the opening period.
Five different Crusaders recorded points in the second quarter as SIUE's 10-point advantage vanished in favor of a 29-29 tie at the 2:30 mark. Fittingly, Amber Lindfors (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove) connected on a pair of free throws with three seconds on the clock to give Valpo a 33-32 halftime lead. The Crusaders outscored the Cougars 12-2 in the paint in the second quarter.
Franklin was 5-for-5 from the floor in the first half. Her 12 points represented a game high at that juncture.
Valpo's lead ballooned to ten points at the completion of the third stanza. Imani Scott-Thompson (Akron, Ohio/Firestone [Dakota College at Bottineau]) knocked down a pair of treys in the midst of a 13-4 run.
SIU-Edwardsville was unable to make it a two-possession game down the stretch thanks in part to a staunch rebounding push from the Crusaders. The Cougars logged just five second-chance points the entire contest. SIUE did, however, snag 16 steals. Valpo committed 26 turnovers, its most since Notre Dame forced 32 back on November 23rd.
Shronda Butts led SIUE with 22 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. The Cougars connected on five of their ten first-half attempts from three-point range, but drew iron on all ten of their tries after halftime.
The 56 points surrendered is the fewest in a game by Valpo since allowing 50 to Northern Illinois in DeKalb last November.
The Crusaders (3-7) will shoot for their third straight win Monday evening. IU-Kokomo (4-7) visits the ARC for a 7:00 pm CT tilt. WVUR (95.1 FM, Valparaiso) and ESPN3 will carry the action while live stats will also be available. Links to all three are up at ValpoAthletics.com.
After tonight's game, to quote the legendary Lou Brown, "This is what they call a WINNING STREAK!" (Of course, this was from the movie Major League.) I have some Valpo basketball games to catch up on, as work schedules have conflicted with game watching lately, but glad to see the women are turning a corner in play.
"Our goal was to do what we do well," Valparaiso coach Tracey Dorow said. "We did the things that we were supposed to do."
Sounds somewhat like Dennis Green when he was coaching the NFL Cardinals or someone who doesn't know how to react to winning for fear of jinxing it.
Beating IUK in Women's basketball is similar to beating the College of Faith in football (except the game counts, though not for RPI). They only had 6 players. Now the serious stuff begins......
I was hoping that Georgi Donchetz would get to score but she did not play.
Georgi didn't play due to a family funeral. I missed which family member passed, but she left to be home with family. Prayers to her and the family during this time.
Congratulations to VU women winning their 4th straight game 61-60 at N. Kentucky. Very physical game. 29 points from Meredith Hamlet to lead the way. N. Kentucky had been 8-3 with a RPI of 140. Big win for the women on the road.
Hamlet was fantastic.
The end of the game was one for the books. We run the home run play with about 5 seconds to go. Dorow calls timeout immediately thinking Walker was going fall out of bounds...mistake #1. With 3.5 left we in bounds towards their basket..mistake #2. The pass was to no one in particular and as a NKU player was diving for the ball just past half court we foul her...mistake #3. In probably the worst call in the history of basketball the refs call the foul a player control foul no free throws....never seen that call before. To make up for that atrocitiy they add 1.2 to the clock. We do not put our 6-4 center in to make the throw in from just inside half court difficult...mistake #4. They run a perfect play for a wide open layup...mistake #5.
They miss the layup we win.
I wondered what the hell that timeout was for. Your suggestion is the only explanation that makes sense to me. I'm thinking, all she has to do is hold on to the ball - why do you need a timeout there.
I thought player control fouls *were* FTs if you're in the bonus. Shows how little I know ;)
This is a good win for the program. It definitely helped to have the 3 non-D1 games for the women this year, as they seem to have found their shooting touch since those games. We were shooting a horrific percentage from 2 and 3 before those games, and it seems that the confidence has carried through to the games that matter. Whereas we would be complaining about the non-D1 games for the men, it makes perfect sense with a program that is needing to right itself. Congrats ladies, and I hope that this is a turning point for the team.
Yes there were several mistakes at the end of the game. As I mentioned earlier it was a very physical game on N. Kentucky's part. Our 6'4 center had been shaken up earlier in what looked like a questionable call on her. She probably might not have been able to come in. However there were two big positives as I see it. We were up by 7 at halftime and fell behind by 3 in the 3rd quarter only to retake and hold on to the lead. Plus ... and this is a big plus VU won the game .... and it was a road win
Quote from: RS on December 31, 2015, 12:40:48 PM
Yes there were several mistakes at the end of the game. As I mentioned earlier it was a very physical game on N. Kentucky's part. Our 6'4 center had been shaken up earlier in what looked like a questionable call on her. She probably might not have been able to come in. However there were two big positives as I see it. We were up by 7 at halftime and fell behind by 3 in the 3rd quarter only to retake and hold on to the lead. Plus ... and this is a big plus VU won the game .... and it was a road win
Agreed regardless of anything this is a big win.
Another big win for the Crusader women as they dispatch the Oakland Grizzets 81-66 in a nice conference win. Probably their first real convincing win in conference in a long time. The coaching does seem to be taking hold--finally--as the Crusaders ran their offense, made shots, wore down the Grizzets defense, rebounded well, and actually listened to their coach when it was time to slow down the game. Walker, Franklin, Dean, Hamlet, Schaub, Miller, Lindfors, Thompson and Scott-Thompson all played under control and fulfilled their roles. It would have been nice without the excessive turnovers but the same was true for the dominant men's team too.
There is no mention of it here but the VU women lost to Detroit on Thursday, 72-66. They seem to get out to a decent lead that faded as the game went on and finally lost it in the 4th quarter when they were outscored by 4 after being down by 2 after the 3rd quarter. Even though they lost the Crusader women played solidly but couldn't build the big lead that they did on OU in the first quarter--16 points.
Too early to tell, but right now the HL play of our ladies is much, much tighter than in the prior few years. Maybe the corner is being turned
Very good to see. We barely lose to WSU after leading for a decent portion of the game, and the same with Detroit. Solid wins against NKU and Oakland, and it looks promising. Those non-D1 games really helped our ladies fine tune their shooting!
I'm not sure how to interpret this score but it's tough when it seemed this team was turning a corner. In the past the Green Bay women have been very dominant over the rest of the HL.
Valpo 42
UWGB 81
Beating GB on their floor was a tall order indeed, but losing the way we did is disheartening. We shot 33% from the floor and 50% from the stripe. Not acceptable. Unfortunately, this isn't what cost us the game. First the possitives:
* We kept up with them on the boards. That's an improvement.
* Our bench outscored their bench. Something to look at.
The obvious dagger was the turnovers. Our turnovers added up to 35 points for them. Our guards are not controlling the ball, nor are they making good decisions with it. It's not just a guard or two. It's all of them. There isn't a guard I saw that looked comfortable trying to run things. Makes one appreciate the leadership and control we had last season. One of these ladies has got to step up and take charge with the ball. It all starts with that.
I think it's time to reassess this team and start putting our best 5 on the floor from the opening tip. Our starting five combined for 10 points. Ten!. This should be a huge "flag" moment for this coaching staff. Against a team like GB, you have to put yourself in the best position to be successful. It's nice to have a strong bench, but when your starting five dig a hole as they did, your asking an awful lot from your bench. Time to mix things up force your starters to compete for playing time. It might just be what they need to get on track. We will have to play much better if we hope to beat the Panthers on their home floor.
I wouldn't put too much into this loss. GB is a perennial top 25 team, and will probably be ranked before the regular season finishes. The top 25 in women's basketball routinely kick the crap out of the other teams, similar to women's soccer. The difference between the 'haves' and 'have nots' in these two sports is huge.
UWGB has and will continue to be the class of this conference on the women's side. But, to me, a 40 pt loss to a team within your conference is unacceptable.
Figured I'd post to say the women got back on the winning track last night beating Cleveland State 66-59. Abby played well with 16 points. Jasmyn was her typical self, finishing with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Valpo women again collect a conference win by beating a tough shooting Youngstown State team, 65-60. Abby Dean had 21 while Jasmyn Walker had 18. I think the key in the conference wins has been playing good defense and getting solid play from senior Dean. The guards haven't scored a lot of points but they have been playing well by getting the ball into Dean and Walker. It is really nice to see a team that struggled for the last three years under Coach Dorow and the previous coach starting to turn a corner and win conference games when in the past they only won 2 or 3 conference games.
Did anybody notice a vaguely familiar horizon league face on the CSU bench Thursday night?
It took me a while to place the name and school ;)
Last time Valpo was .500 or better in Horizon League play this deep into the season was 2008-09 (5-3). Crusaders now 8-11 overall and 4-4 in conference. Playing like that, gotta find more time to watch/listen to this team and chime in on the forum!
Quote from: StlVUFan on January 23, 2016, 07:18:10 PM
Did anybody notice a vaguely familiar horizon league face on the CSU bench Thursday night?
It took me a while to place the name and school ;)
Beth Couture, the former Butler women's head coach, who was fired amid complaints from players about the culture of the women's program is an asst coach at CSU. She was at Butler 12 years and was fired after the season ended in April 2014. She spent one season, 2014-15, as head coach of a Div.II team in South Carolina.
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/04/23/butler-fires-womens-basketball-coach-beth-couture/8061039/ (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/04/23/butler-fires-womens-basketball-coach-beth-couture/8061039/)
So now we have Keith Freeman (former Valpo head coach) at Wright State and Beth Couture (former Butler head coach) at Cleveland State. There must be something about coaching women's basketball in the Horizon League that keeps these coaches coming back.
Quote from: bbtds on January 24, 2016, 12:08:25 AMBeth Couture, the former Butler women's head coach
:thumbsup:
Indeed. I think it took me the whole game to realize that's where she came from. I forgot the story about how she got fired.
Tough lost at home vs. UIC.
Jack's concern that we have no idea how to block out killed us down the stretch as we gave up 3-4 offensive rebounds late denying us a better chance. We are definitely better, but....
I will get killed for this but what the heck is Dorow doing in high heeled boots? I will say she has started channeling her inner Ron Hunter as she now is guarding people on the wing like Hunter does.
I always thought Freeman kind of gave up the last couple of years and just sat during games and talked with his assistant. Can't say that now if anything we are getting too much input during games as she even ventures to the baseline to "help" with out of bounds situations.
But we are definitely better.....
Quote from: IndyValpo on February 01, 2016, 12:30:43 PM
Tough lost at home vs. UIC.
Jack's concern that we have no idea how to block out killed us down the stretch as we gave up 3-4 offensive rebounds late denying us a better chance. We are definitely better, but....
I will get killed for this but what the heck is Dorow doing in high heeled boots? I will say she has started channeling her inner Ron Hunter as she now is guarding people on the wing like Hunter does.
I always thought Freeman kind of gave up the last couple of years and just sat during games and talked with his assistant. Can't say that now if anything we are getting too much input during games as she even ventures to the baseline to "help" with out of bounds situations.
But we are definitely better.....
Dorow caught the fact that the scoreboard operator took off 2 points from 44 to 42 immediately and got it corrected to 44.
What killed VU was the tough defense UIC played in the last 5 minutes. From around the 5 minute mark the Crusader women did not score, I believe. You just don't win close games when you don't score for 5 minutes especially at the end of games no matter how well you play defense.
A few random items....
Here is an article with some nice things to say about next year's starting point guard....Maya Meredith
http://usatodayhss.com/2016/hs-girls-basketball-hotshooting-lawrence-north-too-much-for-cathedral (http://usatodayhss.com/2016/hs-girls-basketball-hotshooting-lawrence-north-too-much-for-cathedral)
While waiting for the Super Bowl I happened upon some Legends Football League playoff games. This was formerly the Lingerie Football League. Former Valpo walk-on Heather Furr appears to be a star in this league.
Quote from: IndyValpo on February 08, 2016, 01:00:44 PMWhile waiting for the Super Bowl I happened upon some Legends Football League playoff games. This was formerly the Lingerie Football League. Former Valpo walk-on Heather Furr appears to be a star in this league.
So you just
happened upon this league. $5 says you bookmarked the website within 4 seconds of
Happening upon it.
Quote from: historyman on February 09, 2016, 01:45:38 AM
Quote from: IndyValpo on February 08, 2016, 01:00:44 PMWhile waiting for the Super Bowl I happened upon some Legends Football League playoff games. This was formerly the Lingerie Football League. Former Valpo walk-on Heather Furr appears to be a star in this league.
So you just happened upon this league. $5 says you bookmarked the website within 4 seconds of Happening upon it.
I will PM you my address and you can send me the $5.
Quote from: IndyValpo on February 09, 2016, 08:10:00 AM
Quote from: historyman on February 09, 2016, 01:45:38 AM
Quote from: IndyValpo on February 08, 2016, 01:00:44 PMWhile waiting for the Super Bowl I happened upon some Legends Football League playoff games. This was formerly the Lingerie Football League. Former Valpo walk-on Heather Furr appears to be a star in this league.
So you just happened upon this league. $5 says you bookmarked the website within 4 seconds of Happening upon it.
I will PM you my address and you can send me the $5.
Bongo Bucks okay?
How do lose by 36 at home and our last two players only play for 2 minutes? Were we afraid we'd lose by 40? As a former end of the bencher this always bothers me....
Should we magically win the last 3 games this staff will have in four years matched the last three Freeman years of an under 30% winning percentage. That got him fired. Was Dorow signed for four years when we made the change? Have we showed enough promise?
Sounds like the snow's interfering with travel plans, tomorrow's game at YSU is supposedly likely to be rescheduled.
(Snow day at the university. Yet the local public schools are in session, the only ones in the region. Maybe three inches so far at my house - heavy, wet stuff. Right across from a school and the plows are starting to fall behind... Ah, just got the early dismissal phone call. But elementary schools dismissing at 2:45?? Half an hour early?)
YSU didn't want to move games. CSU game is at Quicken Loans Arena, so can't be moved. Looks like Thursday games will move to Monday at both YSU and CSU.
This isn't one of the options I had heard being discussed...but, the league basically had to step in and get this handled...
Horizon League Announces Adjustments to Weekend WBB Schedule
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The Horizon League announced late Thursday morning that the Valpo women's basketball team will play at Youngstown State on Friday at 7:05 pm ET/6:05 pm CT at Beeghly Center. The Crusaders and Penguins were originally scheduled to play Thursday evening at 5:15 pm ET/4:15 pm CT, but Wednesday's inclement weather forced the postponement of that game.
The league also announced that Valpo's contest versus Cleveland State has been moved to Monday, February 29th. A time and location for that game has yet to be determined. The two teams were initially set to square off Saturday at 11:00 am ET/10:00 am CT at Quicken Loans Arena.
Valpo Athletics will release the time and location of Monday's tilt versus Cleveland State once details become available.
The VU women seem to be taking notes from the GB men.
Seven threes in the first quarter. 10 for 13 in the first half. But only up 48-40 at the half, over Detroit
It's clearly been too long since I've been to a women's game. They play quarters??
Only one of five so far in the second half, but 11-18 is still pretty phenomenal. But, now on a three minute scoring drought... But, Detroit's cooperating, missed four shots in a row with a two minute scoring drought of their own.
Now Detroit hits a three, closing to within four points, under six minutes remaining in the game. 71-67, and now Detroit shooting FT's.
Valpo went five minutes without scoring, but just hit a bucket to retain the lead, 73-70. Now 73-72, 2:30 to play.
FINAL:
VALPO 94 UDM 91 !! Congratulations to the Crusaders!
<<removed the link to the stats... it was an active link to the current game only>>
Valpo outscored by 10 in the fourth quarter, but wins it in overtime with, what else?, four more threes.
Valpo 3's by period:
1Q: 7-8
2Q: 3-5
3Q: 1-4
4Q: 0-2
overtime: 4-4
Overall 15-23 for 65%. Hamlet and Schaub with 5 each (5-7, 5-5). Even a bit better than what Green Bay shot?
Live by the three, die by the three, I guess. In principle gets easier from here, playing the winner of the 5-8 game (NKU vs CSU).
equalling the 94 we laid on Purdue Cal in the opening game of the season...we made 11 3s in that game
Quote from: agibson on March 10, 2016, 02:15:06 PMIn principle gets easier from here, playing the winner of the 5-8 game (NKU vs CSU).
Oh, I fear we're going down hard tomorrow. I still don't know how we hung with them at their place. They skunked us at the ARC.
Quote from: StlVUFan on March 10, 2016, 06:15:24 PM
Quote from: agibson on March 10, 2016, 02:15:06 PMIn principle gets easier from here, playing the winner of the 5-8 game (NKU vs CSU).
Oh, I fear we're going down hard tomorrow. I still don't know how we hung with them at their place. They skunked us at the ARC.
Youneverknow!
Okay, walkingunderwear
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
If the Holy Cross Crusaders can do it from the 9-hole... why not us?... Glass-is-half-full-kinda-guy.
so... I was thirsty... and started drinking from my half-full glass...
3:18 in the second quarter...
NKU 35 Valpo 17
FWIW. NKU takes GB to two OTs but loses 80-78.
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 12, 2016, 08:08:09 PM
FWIW. NKU takes GB to two OTs but loses 80-78.
Someone told me that No KY had a player at the free throw line at the end of regulation with the score tied and 5 secs left and missed both free throws. Now, that is pretty rough. The pressure must have really got to her. Or GB's free throw defense is really good. ;)
76% shooter. Tough way to go down. I don't know which player it was, I wasn't watching that closely. I hope she's not a senior, and I hope her team has her back. It's a long trip back to Highland Heights...
Home court advantage ? Home team FT defense? Donald Trump Fatheads?
Quote from: bbtds on March 12, 2016, 09:24:11 PM
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 12, 2016, 08:08:09 PM
FWIW. NKU takes GB to two OTs but loses 80-78.
Someone told me that No KY had a player at the free throw line at the end of regulation with the score tied and 5 secs left and missed both free throws. Now, that is pretty rough. The pressure must have really got to her. Or GB's free throw defense is really good. ;)
At end of 1st OT, actually. GB also had 2 close looks. Either one goes down and you'd still have dbl OT
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Thought I'd move the Dorow contract talk back to this thread. I do think she could get our program back to a decent level. But that's not good enough in this league. You have one of the top mid major women's programs in the country in the Horizon league. I realize it's a tall order to topple them, but why isn't that what we're aspiring too? If and When Bryce moves on, if the new coach goes only .500 in his first four years what would we say? "Well he's recruiting better." Really? And yes, I realize there are differences, but as the father of two daughters, I feel I should hold both programs to a high standard or i'm selling the players short.
Be bold with this hire. Go find someone who played at a big program and that has a couple years assistant experience and give it a try. No, we wouldn't get UCONN's top assistant (or their Director of Ops, for that matter) but bring someone in who has a plan to compete with Green Bay. Four years is enough to show me this plan isn't working. And it bothers me when our AD is quoted in the Torch talking about coaches that represent the university well. We're a private, Christian school. If someone wouldn't rep us well, they shouldn't get in the room for an interview, let alone be hired. When your marquee program has a coach who reps us extremely well and wins in spades there's no excuse to not seek both. We're Division I. Act like it.
Sorry for a bit of a rant, but I attended undergrad and a little grad school during the Sarah S, Jeanette G years. I've seen us starting to build a consistent winning program that got stalled a bit when we changed conferences. Time to get up off the mat. (Yes, i mix sports metaphors, too)
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 13, 2016, 12:30:08 PMFour years is enough to show me this plan isn't working. And it bothers me when our AD is quoted in the Torch talking about coaches that represent the university well. We're a private, Christian school. If someone wouldn't rep us well, they shouldn't get in the room for an interview, let alone be hired. When your marquee program has a coach who reps us extremely well and wins in spades there's no excuse to not seek both. We're Division I. Act like it.
This move is difficult but obvious and the time is now.
I refrained from posting the past several games as I was starting to sound like a broken record. For the life of me, I just can not figure out what this staff is thinking, or trying to accomplish. I believe that all but 2 games, we came out with the same starting 5. Even after back to back to back to back losses. Absolutely no logic to this approach. If it's not working, then why do we continue? We finally have a little size to work with, and we have no coach that knows how to coach size. Our bigs spent most of the season out of position inside. I could go on but it would just be more of the same observations for the entire season.
The main thing the last 4 years has proven is, there is a vast difference between DI and DII athletics, from both the coaches and players standpoint. We underachieved this season with the talent we had. The one player that Dorow brought with her didn't even start for us this season.
After 4 years of a failed philosophy and underachieving talent, I think it would be in the best interest of the school and the team to scrap the experiment and make a coaching change. They owe it to the players, students, alumni, and school.
I copied and pasted below this from my post on the LeCrone Spins... string just so there is some statistical information if anyone wants to continue this discussion.
Freeman had some good teams, right? Mostly in the Mid-Con I think. His record over the final few years of his contract spiraled downward for some reason (I wasn't that familiar with the WBB program at the time), those last 5 were as a new-comer in the HL. Dorrow's record started poorly, recruiting of D-I talent from the outset was an issue, tactically and fundamentally she and her staff appeared to be over their heads and were learning D-I on the job. While there has been a little improvement, WBB still haven't turned the performance corner where we are at least in the middle of the pack after 4 seasons. Comments like "We're starting to put the building blocks in place" (after 4 seasons) makes me wonder if we are really headed in the right direction and if we are actually becoming at all consistently competitive.
In the seasons where we were competing in the Horizon League:
Freeman
5 seasons
All games (152) 56-96 36%
HL games (91) 34-57 37%
Dorrow
4 seasons
All games (123) 33-90 26%
HL games (66) 15-51 25%
In their 5th season WBB would need to go 23-8 to get the overall 5 year record to just 36.3% and 16-2 in the HL to reach 35.7% (or to where the W-L record got Freeman fired).
I think ML is doing the right thing in giving her the 5th year, but I think it's a futile effort in the long run. *
* realizing that it is virtually impossible to make a leap from 10-21 to 23-8, the performance standard that could possibly justify a 6th year would be at least .500 in BOTH overall and HL competition :twocents:
Where would the men's team be if Homer Drew was judged after year 4?
1988-89 10-19
1989-90 4-24
1990-91 5-22
1991-92 5-22
The AD is there to evaluate the program on a day to day basis. Are they recruiting better, how is the coach interacting with players, staff, etc., are the players good students and happy. There are so many things that go into evaluating a coach and a program. I think ml has done better than a good job in evaluating and hiring coaches. Yes, there have been some problems, but overall ml has done a great job as AD, and I think he is correct to extend Dorow's contract. I hope this young team really performs next season.
Quote from: covufan on March 14, 2016, 11:29:00 AM
Where would the men's team be if Homer Drew was judged after year 4?
1988-89 10-19
1989-90 4-24
1990-91 5-22
1991-92 5-22
The AD is there to evaluate the program on a day to day basis. Are they recruiting better, how is the coach interacting with players, staff, etc., are the players good students and happy. There are so many things that go into evaluating a coach and a program. I think ml has done better than a good job in evaluating and hiring coaches. Yes, there have been some problems, but overall ml has done a great job as AD, and I think he is correct to extend Dorow's contract. I hope this young team really performs next season.
It simply starts with this 2016 is not 1992 and you cannot compare the two. In 1992 we had never had a winning record at the D1 level. Our last winning season was 1977 when we were in transition. On the women's side we were last above .500 in 2008 and had been for 7 of the prior 8 seasons. Expectations change after success.
I just hope we are not having this same debate after next season.....
It's my opinion that, if the only thing that changes with this team is, Seniors out, Freshman in, we will be having this exact debate after next season.
There is a wealth of D-I basketball experience within the VU basketball community in a position to help the existing regime acclimate to both the VU culture/methods/networks and the overall D-I skill level and environment. I am wondering if those resources have been properly tapped (meaning offered or requested). Was advice and counsel offered? Was it sought? Were proffered suggestions by the basketball experts and others inside the athletic department spurned? OTOH Were requests for help ignored? Were suggestions taken but just poorly implemented? Most coaches have egos, some bigger than others. Have egos gotten in the way of implementing lessons learned or other person's ideas? I just have a hard time figuring out why, given the proud basketball tradition at Valpo and the quality of coaching skill represented within its walls, why this program is languishing with little in the way of apparent clear direction.
BTW, This isn't the same as football, which is a one-off sport. With football, I could understand less in the way of what I am talking about, because there is no counterpart or similar sport.
From my perspective, the talent level with the team has gotten better each year with the current coaching staff. Granted, they have had some players back out at the last moment, but by and large, the remaining talent has improved each year. This improved talent is not showing up as it should in the win / loss column. It's not conceivable that all of these players are arriving at Valpo, only to under achieve. It's the system that they are working in that is falling short. As a student of the game, I tend to focus on movement without the ball, and positioning in the paint. We struggle setting and coming off of screens, and our footwork inside is horrible. On defense, we don't switch well, and allow too many uncontested shots. On both ends of the floor we do poorly at blocking out. The players we've had, and do have, posses the talent to show remarkable improvement in all of these things. Either the coaching staff doesn't see this, or they aren't sure how to work through it. I've said for some time that we are losing these games in practices. I don't think we have a really good and knowledgeable "bigs" coach, which is a shame, given we had better size this last season than we've had in the previous three. I firmly believe with the talent we had, we absolutely should have been a middle of the pack team. That should have been the only acceptably outcome this season.
Quote from: jack on March 14, 2016, 01:45:44 PM
It's my opinion that, if the only thing that changes with this team is, Seniors out, Freshman in, we will be having this exact debate after next season.
I think they need to have at least 8 HL wins, and two HL tournament wins. If less than that, yes we will be having the same discussion.
Every situation is unique, and to compare this to Homer's first four years is interesting, but it's two completely different situations. Take out the Detroit tourney win, and this team regressed almost all year. So having watched most of the games this season, i ask these questions. (And give my opinion.)
Did the team quit on the coach? Sure doesn't seem like it, effort seemed very good game in and game out.
Is our talent level significantly below the other teams in the conference? Outside of GB, not really.
So that leads me to the coaching change. It seems Dorow can recruit fairly well for our level. But when you start seeing teams a second time and they've adjusted and you haven't....
I don't know if she's solicited any advice from the other side of the offices, or if they would have the time or the inclination to help, but she does have a Valpo grad on her staff, so there's no excuse to not know what you were getting into. DII-III to D-I hires seems to be boom or bust (Darner looks pretty good right now) and some of the skills you need to be successful on that level can't be taught.
As I've said before it all comes down to this for me. I believe a program on our level should aspire to compete for a conference championship every year. Is that a tall order here? Absolutely. Does that excuse mediocrity? Absolutely not.
Sounds like a good crop of recruits. They were announced in November with info only about them through their junior seasons. This completes their backgrounds.
From The VUAthletics site:
Postseason Accolades Roll in for Valpo WBB Incoming Freshmen
Thursday, March 17, 2016
A quintet of all-state honors highlight this fall's incoming class of freshmen for the Valpo women's basketball team. Grace Hales (Cromwell, Ind./Westview), Maya Meredith (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), Caitlin Morrison (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South), Marlee Profitt (Medina, Ohio/Highland), and Addison Stoller (Cissna Park, Ill./Cissna Park) all concluded their prep careers this past month and will join the Crusaders in the fall of 2016.
Hales (6-0 F) averaged 19.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game in her season at Westview. She led the Warriors to a 21-6 record and an appearance in the IHSAA Class 2A Girls Basketball State Tournament. Westview captured four sectional titles in Hales' four years. She was named All-State by both Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association (ICGSA) and the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA). Hales departs Westview as the all-time leading scorer (1,600 points), the single-season scoring record holder (513 points), and the single-game watermark for three-pointers made (7).
Meredith (5-7 G) was named honorable mention All-State after averaging 16.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game this season at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. She surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in her final campaign with the Fighting Irish. In addition to her All-State recognition, Meredith was elected First Team All-City, Most Outstanding Teammate, and team Most Valuable Player.
Morrison (6-1 G) amassed 16.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 54 three-pointers en route to Second Team All-State accolades out of Glenbrook South High School in Glenview. She was a member of the 1,000-point club while being named to the Central Suburban League All-Conference Team. Morrison was selected to the All-Tournament Team for both the Mundelein Thanksgiving Tournament and the Holiday Classic. She shot 55% from the field in 2015-16. Caitlin's father, Scott, was a standout on the Valparaiso men's basketball team in the early 90's.
Profits (6-1 F) was well on her way to 1,000 career points this past season until a knee injury torpedoed her final month and a half. The 6'1'' power forward rattled off 17.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game with the Highland (Ohio) Hornets. Profitt did collect honorable mention All-State on top of First Team All-Suburban League and All Tri-County. She was touted as the 38th-ranked player in the state of Ohio as well as a First Team All-Ohio selection in the preseason.
Stellar (6-0 F) will graduate from Cissna Park High School as one of the best to don a Timberwolves' uniform. An Illinois Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-State selection, Stoller holds the school record in career rebounds (1,110), steals (381), and assists (358). She concluded her prep career with 1,807 points, the second-most in program history. This season, she averaged 18.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 2.5 assists per contest. Stoller carried the Timberwolves to a 29-3 record and a berth in the 2016 IHSA Girls' Basketball State Championships.
Latest release:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15350/postseason-accolades-roll-in-for-valpo-wbb-incoming-freshmen/#.Vurx6cc4ko8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15350/postseason-accolades-roll-in-for-valpo-wbb-incoming-freshmen/#.Vurx6cc4ko8)
November release:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15122/womens-basketball-signs-five-to-nlis/#.Vurz98c4ko8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15122/womens-basketball-signs-five-to-nlis/#.Vurz98c4ko8)
The height has been sorely needed. We only had four players over 6'0" on the team last year and one of those graduated. Next year we will have seven 6 or taller, a "big" change!
I like your enthusiasm. I still don't feel it will matter until they bring someone in that knows how to coach "bigs."
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 17, 2016, 01:21:25 PMSounds like a good crop of recruits. They were announced in November with info only about them through their junior seasons. This completes their backgrounds. From The VUAthletics site: Postseason Accolades Roll in for Valpo WBB Incoming Freshmen Thursday, March 17, 2016 A quintet of all-state honors highlight this fall's incoming class of freshmen for the Valpo women's basketball team. Grace Hales (Cromwell, Ind./Westview), Maya Meredith (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), Caitlin Morrison (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South), Marlee Profitt (Medina, Ohio/Highland), and Addison Stoller (Cissna Park, Ill./Cissna Park) all concluded their prep careers this past month and will join the Crusaders in the fall of 2016. Hales (6-0 F) averaged 19.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game in her season at Westview. She led the Warriors to a 21-6 record and an appearance in the IHSAA Class 2A Girls Basketball State Tournament. Westview captured four sectional titles in Hales' four years. She was named All-State by both Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association (ICGSA) and the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA). Hales departs Westview as the all-time leading scorer (1,600 points), the single-season scoring record holder (513 points), and the single-game watermark for three-pointers made (7). Meredith (5-7 G) was named honorable mention All-State after averaging 16.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game this season at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. She surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in her final campaign with the Fighting Irish. In addition to her All-State recognition, Meredith was elected First Team All-City, Most Outstanding Teammate, and team Most Valuable Player. Morrison (6-1 G) amassed 16.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 54 three-pointers en route to Second Team All-State accolades out of Glenbrook South High School in Glenview. She was a member of the 1,000-point club while being named to the Central Suburban League All-Conference Team. Morrison was selected to the All-Tournament Team for both the Mundelein Thanksgiving Tournament and the Holiday Classic. She shot 55% from the field in 2015-16. Caitlin's father, Scott, was a standout on the Valparaiso men's basketball team in the early 90's. Profits (6-1 F) was well on her way to 1,000 career points this past season until a knee injury torpedoed her final month and a half. The 6'1'' power forward rattled off 17.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game with the Highland (Ohio) Hornets. Profitt did collect honorable mention All-State on top of First Team All-Suburban League and All Tri-County. She was touted as the 38th-ranked player in the state of Ohio as well as a First Team All-Ohio selection in the preseason. Stellar (6-0 F) will graduate from Cissna Park High School as one of the best to don a Timberwolves' uniform. An Illinois Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-State selection, Stoller holds the school record in career rebounds (1,110), steals (381), and assists (358). She concluded her prep career with 1,807 points, the second-most in program history. This season, she averaged 18.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 2.5 assists per contest. Stoller carried the Timberwolves to a 29-3 record and a berth in the 2016 IHSA Girls' Basketball State Championships. Latest release: http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15350/postseason-accolades-roll-in-for-valpo-wbb-incoming-freshmen/#.Vurx6cc4ko8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15350/postseason-accolades-roll-in-for-valpo-wbb-incoming-freshmen/#.Vurx6cc4ko8) November release: http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15122/womens-basketball-signs-five-to-nlis/#.Vurz98c4ko8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15122/womens-basketball-signs-five-to-nlis/#.Vurz98c4ko8)
then women's game has a serious problem where there a few elite teams and about 350 also rans. Connecticut is way too dominating and it is lowering interest in the game.
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 21, 2016, 04:41:39 PM
then women's game has a serious problem where there a few elite teams and about 350 also rans. Connecticut is way too dominating and it is lowering interest in the game.
There was interest in the women's game before UConn?
Funny guy Historyman! Actually, the interest has grown and is still growing. Much like the men's game, there are always elite teams, and many also runs. Obviously there are far more elite teams on the men's side than the ladies side. Probably because there far more men playing than women. I think one reason for the big disparity is the quality of coaching. In some manner, more is asked of the coaching staff for the ladies game than the men's. The men's game has better talent to work with. I feel the women's coaches that realize the most success do so, because they are able to assess and individual players strengths and weaknesses and put them, and their teams in the best position to be successful. Getting the most out of the talent you have separates the good coaches from the great coaches. Granted, the elite teams are elite because they are able to attract better talent because of their success, but the mark of a really good coach is one that can increase their success measurably from season to season. Based on talent alone, we were better than a 10-21 team this season. I'm sure everyone has their own opinion of why we finished with that mark.
There must still be a decent interest in the women's game as they are still issuing scholarships to play, and attendance at the pre-college tournaments is still on the rise.
Dorow gets extended another 2 seasons:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15369/dorow-inks-contract-extension-through-2017-2018-season/#.VvGT-uIrKM8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15369/dorow-inks-contract-extension-through-2017-2018-season/#.VvGT-uIrKM8)
I actually agree with this approach. She did have a few good recent recruiting classes, with the key players being Juniors and Sophomores next season. If she can't get more wins next year, she should be let go at that time, since her players will be more experienced.
Quote from: valpotx on March 22, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
Dorow gets extended another 2 seasons:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15369/dorow-inks-contract-extension-through-2017-2018-season/#.VvGT-uIrKM8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15369/dorow-inks-contract-extension-through-2017-2018-season/#.VvGT-uIrKM8)
I actually agree with this approach. She did have a few good recent recruiting classes, with the key players being Juniors and Sophomores next season. If she can't get more wins next year, she should be let go at that time, since her players will be more experienced.
Maybe the AD could provide more salary space for a bigs coach?
Quote from: bbtds on March 22, 2016, 03:57:47 PM
Quote from: valpotx on March 22, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
Dorow gets extended another 2 seasons:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15369/dorow-inks-contract-extension-through-2017-2018-season/#.VvGT-uIrKM8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15369/dorow-inks-contract-extension-through-2017-2018-season/#.VvGT-uIrKM8)
I actually agree with this approach. She did have a few good recent recruiting classes, with the key players being Juniors and Sophomores next season. If she can't get more wins next year, she should be let go at that time, since her players will be more experienced.
Maybe the AD could provide more salary space for a bigs coach?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-local-roundup-st-0323-20160322-story.html
http://www.valpotorch.com/sports/article_4f383c12-f0fc-11e5-b54e-a3d17fa87934.html
As we bask in the glow of the NIT I am struck by how low we have set the bar on the Women's side.....
http://wlfi.com/2016/03/23/whitney-jennings-transferring-from-iowa/
We are certainly closer to home.....we need to be chasing her big time
Quote from: IndyValpo on March 25, 2016, 08:14:00 AM
http://wlfi.com/2016/03/23/whitney-jennings-transferring-from-iowa/
We are certainly closer to home.....we need to chasing her big time
Not sure how many scholarships we have available, but she would be a good one to have on the team!
Quote from: covufan on March 25, 2016, 12:09:59 PM
Quote from: IndyValpo on March 25, 2016, 08:14:00 AM
http://wlfi.com/2016/03/23/whitney-jennings-transferring-from-iowa/
We are certainly closer to home.....we need to chasing her big time
Not sure how many scholarships we have available, but she would be a good one to have on the team!
Good point, short of someone leaving we do not have an opening...
Wonder if Freeman is going with him to New Mexico?
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If they would keep him at WSU as head coach, I would have to imagine he stays. This could very well be his last opportunity to be an HC.
Valpo's women's team is losing its best player. Jasmyn Walker is going to transfer. :(
Oh, oh! Bad news comes in threes. What's next?
I believe it's time to admit our mistake and ask/beg Keith to return. We would have been to the NCAA tourney 1-2 times if we had stayed the course with him.
Wow, that sets our women's program back quite a bit. That hurts almost as much as when Tabitha G went to IU for her last year.
Quote from: ARCInsider on April 06, 2016, 11:59:42 AM
I believe it's time to admit our mistake and ask/beg Keith to return. We would have been to the NCAA tourney 1-2 times if we had stayed the course with him.
Please change your name....you are so far from an insider. Freeman drove us off the cliff. Dorow has left us there. No one with any knowledge would believe we would have gone to a ncaa game or two under any coach. You do realize Green Bay plays in the Horizon. And no we do not want him back. New blood perhaps...
Sounds like you have something personal with Keith. Not interested in that drama, thanks.
And I've been on every development far before it happened. I don't post here much and with this kind of feedback, I'll continue you that.
Why would we remove her from our 2015-2016 roster? She played the entire season for us. Even though she is leaving, you usually leave them on a roster tied to a season they played in.
Quote from: ARCInsider on April 06, 2016, 11:59:42 AM
I believe it's time to admit our mistake and ask/beg Keith to return. We would have been to the NCAA tourney 1-2 times if we had stayed the course with him.
NOT! Was that a joke?
Losing Walker is a huge blow. She may be one of the most athletic players we've seen in a long, long time. The last 2 years had to be very frustrating for her. She deserved to have experienced more success. Regardless of the incoming talent, if this team doesn't realize a philosophical change, it will continue to under achieve. I wish Walker all the best and thank her for her contributions. Makes you wonder how much deeper in the cellar we would have been had she not been with us last season.
As for Freeman, things started unraveling for him when Ladd decided to bail out. Had she stayed, I honestly believe we would have had a lot more success which would have attracted more quality players and led to even more success. Not only did he lose Ladd, he fell victim to the injury bug and had to play with a patched up squad. I recall a few games where we only dressed 6, and one where we only dressed 5. Even with that, he pulled out 8 wins, which is about what we did the last two seasons with a full compliment of players. I'm not saying Freeman would have taken us to the promise land, but I just don't think he gets the credit he deserves for what he was able to accomplish his last 2 seasons here.
Quote from: valpotx on April 06, 2016, 08:35:47 PM
Why would we remove her from our 2015-2016 roster? She played the entire season for us. Even though she is leaving, you usually leave them on a roster tied to a season they played in.
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Did they also delete all her 2015-16 statistics? She is still in the team picture - what, not photoshopped? Apparently JW did play for the Crusaders in 2014-15 as her presence in the team picture and her name on the roster remain in tact. This is a glaring mistake. Revisionist history???
I always thought Freeman's exit was hastened by the existence of Stefanie Lang and her hometown parents.
Her stats are there. It is completely moronic to take her off the roster listing. She doesn't just disappear from this season, just because she chooses to transfer. Will we erase Peters from the roster, if he leaves?
Quote from: VULB#62 on April 07, 2016, 08:26:48 AM
Quote from: valpotx on April 06, 2016, 08:35:47 PM
Why would we remove her from our 2015-2016 roster? She played the entire season for us. Even though she is leaving, you usually leave them on a roster tied to a season they played in.
[tweet]717788851457105920[/tweet]
Did they also delete all her 2015-16 statistics? She is still in the team picture - what, not photoshopped? Apparently JW did play for the Crusaders in 2014-15 as her presence in the team picture and her name on the roster remain in tact. This is a glaring mistake. Revisionist history???
Perhaps this happens at other places, Vanderbilt has removed the player that declared for the NBA draft from the 15-16 roster.
Quote from: Valpo89 on April 07, 2016, 08:27:26 AM
I always thought Freeman's exit was hastened by the existence of Stefanie Lang and her hometown parents.
Wasn't Lang crippled with back issues the last 2 seasons that Freeman was there?
Jasmyn Walker has officially transferred to Western Michigan.
That's not a huge leap.
Not much of a leap at all. Any word as to why? I figured that she would go to a solid program. I assume that she has to sit out 1 year, since it obviously isn't due to any family hardship?
Nope. The sit out rule I believe only applies to FB and MBB.
Quote from: VULB#62 on April 13, 2016, 10:04:25 PM
Nope. The sit out rule I believe only applies to FB and MBB.
Yes, she has to sit out 2016-17. Her sister Jordyn will be a freshman with Western Michigan this fall.
I believe the only way she could have played next season is if she went down to a DII or DIII school. I could be wrong though.
Quote from: jack on April 14, 2016, 06:47:01 AM
I believe the only way she could have played next season is if she went down to a DII or DIII school. I could be wrong though.
You are correct...
Quote from: IndyValpo on March 25, 2016, 08:14:00 AM
http://wlfi.com/2016/03/23/whitney-jennings-transferring-from-iowa/
We are certainly closer to home.....we need to be chasing her big time
Well we now have a spot for her....but she signed with Butler.
Quote from: Pgmado on April 13, 2016, 11:50:24 PM
Her sister Jordyn will be a freshman with Western Michigan this fall.
Brandon also confirms.....
[tweet]720361215768281088[/tweet]
Why isn't it a surprise? Was she very unhappy at Valpo, or is it just to play with her sister?
Quote from: VULB#62 on April 14, 2016, 10:30:41 AM
Quote from: Pgmado on April 13, 2016, 11:50:24 PM
Her sister Jordyn will be a freshman with Western Michigan this fall.
Brandon also confirms.....
[tweet]720361215768281088[/tweet]
Did we recruit her sister? I would think that a Western Michigan recruit would be able to help our team.
To be clear - the part that was no surprise was that she picked Western Michigan. I was surprised by the fact that she is transferring when I first heard that news. However, when I heard she was leaving, my first guess was WMU based on her sister being there, and it was widely rumored that would be her destination. As far as why she's leaving - I exchanged messages with Walker last week after the news of her transfer broke and again last night, but she has decided not to comment on the record. Obviously, have to think the opportunity to play with her sister factored into her decision.
Shows her maturity not wanting to comment on the record. Nothing she has to say will change the fact that she's leaving, and if there were other reasons besides wanting to play with her sister, making them known here won't change anything either.
I wish her all the best and thank her for her contributions to the team. She was certainly a lot of fun to watch.
Heres the WMU release on Jasmyn's transfer:
http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=210887634
Here's what she's transferring into:
2015-16 Record: 17-15 Overall, 8-10 MAC, 5th/6 in MAC Western Division
2016-17 Roster: one returning senior
Apparently Jordyn (5-7, G) committed as a HS junior this past September. http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/8927768972145153794/mona-shores-girls-basketball-standout-jordan-walker-commits-to-western-michigan-university/ . According to this article, she still has one year left in HS before she joins Jasmyn. So they will both become eligible at the same time (Fall of 2017).
From an earlier article on her blowing out her ACL: http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/7881124488814002657/mona-shores-girls-basketball-standout-jordan-walker-a-d-1-recruit-rehabbing-knee-injury/
According to Walker's mom, Danielle Smith-Walker, the junior-to-be has received interest from Big Ten schools Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana and Purdue, as well as over 10 other Division 1 schools. She's already received offers from Western Michigan University and Valparaiso University, where her older sister, Jasmyn Walker, started as a freshman last year.
I'd like to take this at face value, young woman wanting to play with her sister, but with the dumpster fire our women's program has turned into who knows. If they really wanted to play together that bad you'd think Jas would've recruited her little sister to Valpo.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on April 15, 2016, 12:18:15 PM
I'd like to take this at face value, young woman wanting to play with her sister, but with the dumpster fire our women's program has turned into who knows. If they really wanted to play together that bad you'd think Jas would've recruited her little sister to Valpo.
If her sister had come to Valpo, they would have only played together one year. I'm sure the losing had something to do with both going to WMU.
Quote from: IndyValpo on March 25, 2016, 08:14:00 AM
http://wlfi.com/2016/03/23/whitney-jennings-transferring-from-iowa/
We are certainly closer to home.....we need to be chasing her big time
Well, when she was available we did not have a place....Jennings chose Butler.
Now we have an opening, time to shoot for the moon.
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/04/26/roncallis-lindsey-corsaro-granted-release-kentucky/83555386/
So between Kentucky and Loyola there are like 12 players available......
I've seen Lindsey play. She's the real deal. Unfortunately we don't have the talent or program to compliment her abilities. She could probably play wherever she wants to play. I could see ND and maybe Purdue making a play for her if she wanted to stay close to home.
Brandon did an interview with Coach Dorow and the story will be up Friday.
[tweet]725120356458057728[/tweet]
[tweet]725118437429747712[/tweet]
Here's the link to that story
[tweet]726096859488346116[/tweet]
Interesting one would leave to pursue a head coaching job without having job in hand. Valpo Grad so wish him luck, but there seems more to this story.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on April 29, 2016, 12:29:11 PM
Interesting one would leave to pursue a head coaching job without having job in hand. Valpo Grad so wish him luck, but there seems more to this story.
Yeah, we're not getting the full story. I can understand the desire for a head coaching position. But, even if he were to get such a job in August (not likely, except at the HS level), there is almost nobody at Valpo that would feel he left the program in a bad way, especially leaving for a promotion. Yes it might be difficult to replace his position at that time, but I'm sure they would promote from within, and find a candidate for the lowest opening without too much trouble.
He was a Student Assistant when I was in school, and a nice guy. However, he is going to have trouble finding a solid head coaching gig, based on our record over the last few years.
Quote from: valpotx on April 29, 2016, 01:59:42 PM
He was a Student Assistant when I was in school, and a nice guy. However, he is going to have trouble finding a solid head coaching gig, based on our record over the last few years.
Maybe his strategy is to get separation from our (record) program and just start fresh.
My guess is a difference in philosophy that took it's toll. Based on Walker's remarks I think there's more to that story also than just so she could play with her sister. At any rate, I wish Kurt well, and only hope they bring in someone that knows how to work with the bigs, or it'll be more of the same.
Doesn't look good at all with both Jazmyn and Kurt leaving. The couple times I watched workouts while walking on the track, Kurt was running the practice while Dorow was on the sidelines yukking it up with bench players. She appeared to be anything but the "leader" of that program. Two more years of 20-loss basketball here we come. :'( :'( :'(
Another Assistant gone
http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/sports/high_schools/article_e8a885ee-2835-11e6-85aa-879b0a99ba06.html
Given that this staff could easily be fired by next season's end, this is a brilliant move.
I think Katie learned in her short stint what not to do, if she ever got a shot at running the show. I'm happy for her. She wasn't going anywhere at Valpo, and as mentioned, it's possible she'd have to find a new home anyway after next season.
I wish her all the luck she deserves.
Looks to be a great hire and a coach with professional experience. Probably can help with our bigs as she is 6'3".
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2015-16/15576/leuzinger-joins-valpo-womens-basketball-coaching-staff/#.V1HMK5ErLNN
Wow, she sounds like a pretty impressive hire!
Seems like a very good hire not only from a basketball standpoint, but also someone that should fit right in with the emphasis on servant leadership I think our athletic department and university espouses.
The roster is up. Anne Marie Hamlet is not listed. I assume whatever injury she had this year was the reason.
Interestingly there are apparently 3 2019 recruits at Michigan City Marquette. I would hope we have some connections there. I assume the 2018 Noblesville C Emily Kiser's is the sister of our new walk on.
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/recruiting-central/2016/07/18/breaking-down-states-top-high-school-girls-basketball-talent/87247328/
We apparently got a verbal from a guard from South Bend St Joe (Nicole Koniecnzy).
Last year's Marquette coach is Lauren Bechtold's father.
Quote from: IndyValpo on July 23, 2016, 08:22:09 AM
Interestingly there are apparently 3 2019 recruits at Michigan City Marquette. I would hope we have some connections there. I assume the 2018 Noblesville C Emily Kiser's is the sister of our new walk on.
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/recruiting-central/2016/07/18/breaking-down-states-top-high-school-girls-basketball-talent/87247328/
We apparently got a verbal from a guard from South Bend St Joe (Nicole Koniecnzy).
[/b]
Watch her highlites in this video. Great motor and all over the floor. Looks like a very good get!
http://www.ncsasports.org/womens-basketball-recruiting/in/south-bend/st-josephs-high-school/nicole-konieczny
Quote from: IndyValpo on July 23, 2016, 08:22:09 AM
Interestingly there are apparently 3 2019 recruits at Michigan City Marquette. I would hope we have some connections there.
Katy Collignon, a Vapo WBB assitant last couple of years just took over the Marquette girls BB team as the new head coach. She is also the new AD. Her husband, Brad, just left the VU SID staff to join her as her Assistant AD....... two prettygood connections
Quote from: VULB#62 on July 23, 2016, 03:30:01 PM
Quote from: IndyValpo on July 23, 2016, 08:22:09 AM
Interestingly there are apparently 3 2019 recruits at Michigan City Marquette. I would hope we have some connections there.
Katy Collignon, a Vapo WBB assitant last couple of years just took over the Marquette girls BB team as the new head coach. She is also the new AD. Her husband, Brad, just left the VU SID staff to join her as her Assistant AD....... two prettygood connections
That's a big loss for Valpo.
Saw Nicole play in High School as a starting guard as a Freshman at LaPorte H.S. Was very impressed with her overall play. Very quick. Very smart player for a freshman and a player that I thought would be a great get for VU but probably headed for a high major school. Averaged over 14 pts per game on very good Laporte team that went 20-3. Very impressed with this committ.
Quote from: RS on July 23, 2016, 09:33:03 PM
Saw Nicole play in High School as a starting guard as a Freshman at LaPorte H.S. Was very impressed with her overall play. Very quick. Very smart player for a freshman and a player that I thought would be a great get for VU but probably headed for a high major school. Averaged over 14 pts per game on very good Laporte team that went 20-3. Very impressed with this committ.
She did previously commit to SMU but changed her mind. SMU certainly plays in a high major conference, with this one school called UConn!
If the coaching situation at Valpo does not get any better, I wonder a dice roll and a Sheryl Swoopes hire is in the making.
Quote from: usc4valpo on July 24, 2016, 08:32:51 AM
If the coaching situation at Valpo does not get any better, I wonder a dice roll and a Sheryl Swoopes hire is in the making.
It is my understanding that between the former pro player and an experienced former B1G assist the staff is back to full complement. With these new hires I think Tracy has tried to address the two major deficiencies the staff has shown in the past: player development and game strategy.
Not sure why it has not been announced but the new assistant appears to be John Motherwell. Lots of experience most recent at Minnesota. Also was at Detroit.
At this point we have replaced all assistants who began with Dorow.
Quote from: IndyValpo on July 24, 2016, 11:57:40 AM
Not sure why it has not been announced but the new assistant appears to be John Motherwell. Lots of experience most recent at Minnesota. Also was at Detroit.
At this point we have replaced all assistants who began with Dorow.
https://thecoachingassist.com/2015/09/30/john-motherwell-university-of-minnesota-womens-basketball-assistant-coach/
Quote from: IndyValpo on July 24, 2016, 11:57:40 AM
Not sure why it has not been announced but the new assistant appears to be John Motherwell. Lots of experience most recent at Minnesota. Also was at Detroit.
At this point we have replaced all assistants who began with Dorow.
Looks like this was announced yesterday:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2016-17/15607/crusaders-add-motherwell-to-coaching-staff/
Crusaders Add Motherwell to Coaching Staff
Monday, July 25, 2016
Valparaiso University women's basketball head coach Tracey Dorow announced today that John Motherwell has joined the Crusader coaching staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2016-17 campaign. Motherwell, who brings a wealth of collegiate coaching experience in the Midwest to his position on the Valpo staff, has coached 14 players during his career who have gone on to play professional basketball.
"I've known Coach Dorow since I was coaching against her when she was at Ferris State," said Motherwell. "Besides being a great coach, she is a better person, with her values and her character being the factors that led me to coming on board her staff. I love the Horizon League, and I'm especially excited to be joining what I consider its 'marquee name' – the tradition of success here, and the outstanding national reputation of the university – not just athletically, but academically as well, makes me confident about what the women's basketball program can become. I made a very intentional decision to come here and am excited to be a Crusader."
Motherwell spent the last two seasons on the bench as an assistant coach at Minnesota, helping guide the Golden Gophers to 43 victories and their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2009. In his time at Minnesota, Motherwell helped coach a pair of First Team All-Americans and three WNBA draft picks, including working directly with post players Amanda Zahui B. and Shae Keller, both of whom were selected in the 2015 WNBA Draft – Zahui B. second overall to the Tulsa Shock. Motherwell also helped coach national sensation Rachel Banham in 2015-16 as she tied the NCAA single-game scoring record and closed her career sixth in NCAA history in career points scored.
"We are blessed that Coach Mo has chosen to become a part of our Valpo women's basketball program," said Dorow. "He has established deep relationships throughout the country and will be an exceptional recruiter for our team. Coach Mo has coached at every level and possesses a wealth of knowledge about the game of basketball. I have the utmost respect for his coaching abilities and am eager to work alongside him!"
Motherwell brings familiarity with Horizon League women's basketball as well to the Crusader bench, as Valparaiso is the third league school he has coached at. He spent five seasons (2005-10) as an assistant coach at Milwaukee, and more recently spent the 2013-14 season on the sidelines at Detroit. During his tenure at Milwaukee, the Panthers shared the Horizon League regular season title and won the Horizon League Championship, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 2005-06, and also had another appearance in the league tournament title game in 2009. He also served as position coach for two-time Horizon League Player of the Year Traci Edwards.
Motherwell has also served as an assistant coach at a number of other institutions, including West Florida (2012-13), North Dakota (2010-11), Minnesota State-Moorhead (2000-05), Concordia St. Paul (1999-2000) and the College of St. Scholastica (1998-99). During Motherwell's stint at MSU-Moorhead, the Dragons enjoyed five consecutive winning seasons following a stretch of seven straight losing campaigns. They also set a new school record with 24 victories during the 2004-05 campaign, a season in which they claimed their first league title in 20 years and appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Motherwell graduated from Michigan in 1995 with a degree in general studies. Prior to arriving at Michigan, he was a football letterwinner at Eastern Michigan. He married the former Sherri Bierschbach in 2001. The couple has two children, Annie and Joe.
Quote from: VULB#62 on April 27, 2016, 08:52:58 AM
Brandon did an interview with Coach Dorow and the story will be up Friday.
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http://www.jessupathletics.com/news/2016/9/8/jessup-athletics-hires-new-womens-basketball-coach-kurt-westendorp.aspx
Good effort. Great outing from Franklin. Some positives from the newbies. Got to get the defensive boards figured out or we're in for another long season. Back to fundamentals on blocking out.