WOOOO!!!!!
'Bout time, too.
Let's get to the news:
ESPN previews the SEC.
The Lady Vols and the SEC look very different this year.
Eastern Michigan has been cited for failure to monitor their women's basketball program, and will be sanctioned. The school's statement.
Notre Dame basketball: more than another game. Assistant coach Carol Owens is a Kelly Faris fan.
Alyssa Thomas is a big leader for the Terps.
Niveen Rasheed and Princeton are a perfect fit.
DePaul Coach Doug Bruno remembers Maggie Dixon.
The Badgers are ready to turn the corner.
No word on whether Bria Hartley will practice with UConn this weekend.
Ohio State's hoops construction project is behind schedule and over budget.
Kristi Kingma is back for the University of Washington.
Loyola Marymount University: new coach, new culture. The team enters a new era.
Florida has lost Viktorija Dimaite to an ACL tear.
Books have helped the Texas Tech Lady Raiders become better players.
Sheryl Swoopes has returned to Texas Tech, as a TV analyst for Raider home games.
Pro:
Vote for Tamika Catchings for United States Sports Academy athlete of the month.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Two days until season openers, and the news is on
Pac-12 preseason media poll:
1. Stanford
2. Cal
3. UCLA
4. USC
5. Oregon State
6. Arizona State
7. Washington
8. Utah
9. Colorado
10. Washington State
11. Oregon
12. Arizona
ESPN previews the ACC.
Stanford and Cal are gearing up for big seasons.
Baylor is the team to beat this year.
Notre Dame relies on Skylar Diggins.
Duke is making do without Elizabeth Williams.
Wisconsin-Green Bay is looking to forward Sarah Eichler.
Georgetown's new Coach, Keith Brown, is no stranger to teaching.
Returning players must lead the way for St. Bonaventure.
Playing outside is a challenge for Ohio State. Coach Jim Foster puts family first.
New-look Temple relishes the underdog role this season.
Kentucky's A'dia Mathies says it's Final Four or bust for the Wildcats.
Five things to watch at Gonzaga.
USC has fiesty freshmen.
Big four: point guards are poised to lead in Iowa.
Best friends join forces at Minnesota.
Colorado State is fine-tuning their defense in the days before their season opener.
Despite suffering key losses to graduation, Princeton hopes for a four-peat.
Yale enters the year with high hopes.
New Arizona assistant coach Calamity McEntire is a benefit to the team.
Missouri State will retire the jersey of longtime coach Cheryl Burnett next February.
Injuries:
Florida Gulf Coast has been bitten by the injury bug.
So have the Washington Huskies.
Tennessee:
The Lady Vols' up-tempo play this season is demanding both on and off the court.
Coach Holly Warlick is ready.
Mercedes Russell talks about committing to Tennessee, her dream school.
UConn:
The Huskies hope for an immediate impact from freshman Breanna Stewart.
For Heather, the buck stops at UConn.
The UConn women are fitting in.
1. Stanford
2. Cal
3. UCLA
4. USC
5. Oregon State
6. Arizona State
7. Washington
8. Utah
9. Colorado
10. Washington State
11. Oregon
12. Arizona
ESPN previews the ACC.
Stanford and Cal are gearing up for big seasons.
Baylor is the team to beat this year.
Notre Dame relies on Skylar Diggins.
Duke is making do without Elizabeth Williams.
Wisconsin-Green Bay is looking to forward Sarah Eichler.
Georgetown's new Coach, Keith Brown, is no stranger to teaching.
Returning players must lead the way for St. Bonaventure.
Playing outside is a challenge for Ohio State. Coach Jim Foster puts family first.
New-look Temple relishes the underdog role this season.
Kentucky's A'dia Mathies says it's Final Four or bust for the Wildcats.
Five things to watch at Gonzaga.
USC has fiesty freshmen.
Big four: point guards are poised to lead in Iowa.
Best friends join forces at Minnesota.
Colorado State is fine-tuning their defense in the days before their season opener.
Despite suffering key losses to graduation, Princeton hopes for a four-peat.
Yale enters the year with high hopes.
New Arizona assistant coach Calamity McEntire is a benefit to the team.
Missouri State will retire the jersey of longtime coach Cheryl Burnett next February.
Injuries:
Florida Gulf Coast has been bitten by the injury bug.
So have the Washington Huskies.
Tennessee:
The Lady Vols' up-tempo play this season is demanding both on and off the court.
Coach Holly Warlick is ready.
Mercedes Russell talks about committing to Tennessee, her dream school.
UConn:
The Huskies hope for an immediate impact from freshman Breanna Stewart.
For Heather, the buck stops at UConn.
The UConn women are fitting in.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Buckle up
Lots of college news, so here goes:
ESPN previews the Big East, and the Big Ten.
ESPNW's top five players at each position.
The Lady Vols are embracing their new challenge. Sophomore center Isabelle Harrison is bringing a spark to the team.
Tyler Summitt brings a wealth of knowledge, winning experience to his job as assistant coach at Marquette.
Stanford has changed their offense.
Despite a Lyme Disease flare up, Elena Delle Donne expects to play in Delaware's season opener.
UConn freshman Breanna Stewart prepares for her debut.
UConn senior Caroline Doty was cited this morning for causing a public disturbance on campus.
Penn State's Maggie Lucas says meet my teammates.
University of Washington: five things to watch. And a smaller roster is forcing the Huskies to be faster.
Cal has set higher goals this year.
The Florida newcomers are adjusting.
Injuries:
Elizabeth Williams' frustrating foot injury lingers for Duke.
Michigan forward Kendra Seto will miss the season after tearing her ACL.
Injuries at Iowa State have been minor setbacks.
Vanderbilt center Stephanie Holzer will miss the season after dislocating her knee.
ESPN previews the Big East, and the Big Ten.
ESPNW's top five players at each position.
The Lady Vols are embracing their new challenge. Sophomore center Isabelle Harrison is bringing a spark to the team.
Tyler Summitt brings a wealth of knowledge, winning experience to his job as assistant coach at Marquette.
Stanford has changed their offense.
Despite a Lyme Disease flare up, Elena Delle Donne expects to play in Delaware's season opener.
UConn freshman Breanna Stewart prepares for her debut.
UConn senior Caroline Doty was cited this morning for causing a public disturbance on campus.
Penn State's Maggie Lucas says meet my teammates.
University of Washington: five things to watch. And a smaller roster is forcing the Huskies to be faster.
Cal has set higher goals this year.
The Florida newcomers are adjusting.
Injuries:
Elizabeth Williams' frustrating foot injury lingers for Duke.
Michigan forward Kendra Seto will miss the season after tearing her ACL.
Injuries at Iowa State have been minor setbacks.
Vanderbilt center Stephanie Holzer will miss the season after dislocating her knee.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Big West Conference preview: Cal State Northridge
In Coach Jason Flowers' second year last season, it was safe to say the Cal State Northridge Matadors were back.
After living in the basement of the Big West Conference for more than a decade, CSUN found themselves in the top spot for most of the regular season, via several mini-winning streaks.
But towards the end, one nagging factor caught up with them and made for an abrupt end to a glimmering year: inconsistency. The Matadors were stopped in the first round of the Conference tournament by Long Beach State, and then they lost in the first round of the WNIT.
Lack of consistency was something Flowers had noted earlier in the year, and the season proved rich with lessons for the entire team.
"Going through that experience (at the end), we learned a lot," Flowers said. "The kids learned what the level of intensity is that you need to sustain a championship team, and that it's all about consistency - every game, every possession."
Flowers said that in their BWC game against LBSU, which they lost by five points, one pass could have won the game for them.
"They now understand that one pass can cost you the game; they now understand that sense of urgency that is needed," Flowers said.
CSUN is in position to retain that lesson, as they lost one starter last year in center Jasmine Erving (14.9 ppg). Flowers acknowledged that replacing their leading scorer means others will have to step up. But if the strength of the returning starters and the newcomers in last week's exhibition is any indication, they are ready for the challenge.
In the victory against Master's College, Matador junior guard Haley White and senior forward Jianni Jackson, both bench players last year, each had 13 points. Sophomore center Camille Mahlknecht netted a double-double, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Two freshmen - guard/forward Marta Masoni and forward Jasmine Johnson - had 11 and 12 points, respectively. For Masoni, from Italy, that included three three-point shots. Sophomore Ashlee Guay, who was on the BWC all-freshman team last season, had six points and four assists.
Speaking before the exhibition match up, Flowers said all returnees did a great job of working out over the summer. That, and a strong core, has meant that they are starting off the season in a better place than they ever have, he said.
"This year we have brand new systems, and a few of the returning players will have different roles," Flowers said. "They're ready for that."
Also back this year is last year's BWC freshman of the year, guard Janae Sharpe (11.4 ppg) and senior forward Violet Alama (7.2 ppg). Alama was the conference co-sixth woman of the year last season. They form the starting five, along with Guay and Mahlknect.
Other freshmen include guards Breeyon Alexander, Johnece Miller, and center Bernadette Fong.
Flowers, who won Big West Coach of the Year last season, has shown a talent for recruiting. He sees Masoni as an early possible threat, and he predicts Mahlknecht will be key.
As a team the Matadors have set goals, which Flowers and his staff hammer home in practice every day.
"We have a good feel for what we need to do to move forward," he said.
In preseason polls, CSUN is picked first in the BWC.
The Matadors kick off the season Friday against Portland at home, in the newly-refurbished Matadome. They host a tournament Thanksgiving weekend that will feature #9 Penn State, South Alabama and Detroit. Other notable preconference opponents include Fresno State, UCLA and Oklahoma.
After living in the basement of the Big West Conference for more than a decade, CSUN found themselves in the top spot for most of the regular season, via several mini-winning streaks.
But towards the end, one nagging factor caught up with them and made for an abrupt end to a glimmering year: inconsistency. The Matadors were stopped in the first round of the Conference tournament by Long Beach State, and then they lost in the first round of the WNIT.
Lack of consistency was something Flowers had noted earlier in the year, and the season proved rich with lessons for the entire team.
"Going through that experience (at the end), we learned a lot," Flowers said. "The kids learned what the level of intensity is that you need to sustain a championship team, and that it's all about consistency - every game, every possession."
Flowers said that in their BWC game against LBSU, which they lost by five points, one pass could have won the game for them.
"They now understand that one pass can cost you the game; they now understand that sense of urgency that is needed," Flowers said.
CSUN is in position to retain that lesson, as they lost one starter last year in center Jasmine Erving (14.9 ppg). Flowers acknowledged that replacing their leading scorer means others will have to step up. But if the strength of the returning starters and the newcomers in last week's exhibition is any indication, they are ready for the challenge.
In the victory against Master's College, Matador junior guard Haley White and senior forward Jianni Jackson, both bench players last year, each had 13 points. Sophomore center Camille Mahlknecht netted a double-double, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Two freshmen - guard/forward Marta Masoni and forward Jasmine Johnson - had 11 and 12 points, respectively. For Masoni, from Italy, that included three three-point shots. Sophomore Ashlee Guay, who was on the BWC all-freshman team last season, had six points and four assists.
Speaking before the exhibition match up, Flowers said all returnees did a great job of working out over the summer. That, and a strong core, has meant that they are starting off the season in a better place than they ever have, he said.
"This year we have brand new systems, and a few of the returning players will have different roles," Flowers said. "They're ready for that."
Also back this year is last year's BWC freshman of the year, guard Janae Sharpe (11.4 ppg) and senior forward Violet Alama (7.2 ppg). Alama was the conference co-sixth woman of the year last season. They form the starting five, along with Guay and Mahlknect.
Other freshmen include guards Breeyon Alexander, Johnece Miller, and center Bernadette Fong.
Flowers, who won Big West Coach of the Year last season, has shown a talent for recruiting. He sees Masoni as an early possible threat, and he predicts Mahlknecht will be key.
As a team the Matadors have set goals, which Flowers and his staff hammer home in practice every day.
"We have a good feel for what we need to do to move forward," he said.
In preseason polls, CSUN is picked first in the BWC.
The Matadors kick off the season Friday against Portland at home, in the newly-refurbished Matadome. They host a tournament Thanksgiving weekend that will feature #9 Penn State, South Alabama and Detroit. Other notable preconference opponents include Fresno State, UCLA and Oklahoma.
As we creep closer to the start of college season
The Lady Vols and coaches are making adjustments.
Maryland: Final Four or bust.
Can anyone beat Baylor this year?
Michigan State is putting the puzzle together.
Michigan Coach Kim Barnes Arico has strong optimism.
UTEP guard Jenzel Nash is out for the year with a torn ACL.
WNBA:
The Fever were honored as champs at yesterday's Indiana Colts game.
Maryland: Final Four or bust.
Can anyone beat Baylor this year?
Michigan State is putting the puzzle together.
Michigan Coach Kim Barnes Arico has strong optimism.
UTEP guard Jenzel Nash is out for the year with a torn ACL.
WNBA:
The Fever were honored as champs at yesterday's Indiana Colts game.
ESPN preseason top 25
ESPN preseason top 25:
1. Baylor
2. Connecticut
3. Duke
4. Maryland
5. Stanford
6. Notre Dame
7. Kentucky
8. Louisville
9. Penn State
10. Delaware
11. Georgia
12. St. John's
13. Texas A&M
14. (tie) Oklahoma and Vanderbilt
16. Tennessee
17. Cal
18. Nebraska
19. West Virginia
20. DePaul
21. Georgia Tech
22. Kansas
23. Middle Tennessee
24. (tie) Purdue and Oklahoma State
Baylor wants to repeat.
What to expect from A to Z.
Other NCAA news:
Kentucky: 10 questions.
Continued success drives UTEP.
Tennessee Coach Holly Warlick's youth is a source of pride and motivation.
Former Texas Tech Coach Marsha Sharp will face her former team as a coach of another.
1. Baylor
2. Connecticut
3. Duke
4. Maryland
5. Stanford
6. Notre Dame
7. Kentucky
8. Louisville
9. Penn State
10. Delaware
11. Georgia
12. St. John's
13. Texas A&M
14. (tie) Oklahoma and Vanderbilt
16. Tennessee
17. Cal
18. Nebraska
19. West Virginia
20. DePaul
21. Georgia Tech
22. Kansas
23. Middle Tennessee
24. (tie) Purdue and Oklahoma State
Baylor wants to repeat.
What to expect from A to Z.
Other NCAA news:
Kentucky: 10 questions.
Continued success drives UTEP.
Tennessee Coach Holly Warlick's youth is a source of pride and motivation.
Former Texas Tech Coach Marsha Sharp will face her former team as a coach of another.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Loyola Marymount annihilates The Master's College, 88-58
I haven't been into reporting scores of preseason games because those contests, aka glorified practices, don't usually mean much.
But today I went to an exhibition game that meant and showed a whole lot: Loyola Marymount soundly beat The Master's College, 88-58.
It was significant because new LMU Coach Charity Elliott has clearly set a different tone. The Lions did a lot of running on offense, and inflicted high-pressure defense. Players showed out big who didn't used to play much. All saw floor time in today's game, and all but one scored.
And where their former coach used to criticize them from the sidelines and yell at them during timeouts, Elliott could be seen clapping her hands in encouragement at points throughout the game. At one point, when the offense did something she especially liked, Elliott turned and walked all the way down the bench, halfway crouched down so she could look in her player's eyes, emphatically talking. Then she stood up and turned back to the floor and applauded the athletes still playing.
Senior guard/forward Alex Cowling, who needs to be on a WNBA team next summer, lead LMU with 22 points and eight rebounds. Point guard Hazel Ramirez added 15 points and seven assists, while Melinda Gomez chipped in 12. (Cowling was first-team all WCC conference last year, and broke the school scoring record).
Box score.
Junior center Alexis Love and sophomore Emily Ben-Jumbo, who were relegated to the deep bench last year, started and grabbed six and eight rebounds, respectively. Gomez and sophomore forward Ashley Lovett also saw sporadic time last year, and today stepped up to make key contributions, as Lovett had six points and four rebounds.
Another set of bright spots were sophomore guard Taylor Anderson (six points, seven assists), junior forward/center Mackenzie Kerins (four points, four rebounds), and freshman guard/forward Chelsea Barnes (six points, four rebounds).
Sure, the Lions still have work to do. They got off to a slow start and didn't start to put away their opponents until the second half. They are getting good looks which means the plays are working, but sometimes they found themselves out of position under the basket (too low), which resulted in missing close shots.
Their confidence is still growing, as they hesitated at times. But they were loose on the court and are letting the game come to them. By the end of the second half, there were a few superstar plays.
It seems that the previously-downtrodden Lions have remembered why they each started playing the game in the first place: the starters came on to the court for tip off smiling. They are having fun, and it's fun to watch.
Other college news:
Lots of youth is on tap for Florida.
Senior Taylor Wurtz is leading the way at Wisconsin.
UNNC senior forward Jenn Hailey's mission is to own the boards.
But today I went to an exhibition game that meant and showed a whole lot: Loyola Marymount soundly beat The Master's College, 88-58.
It was significant because new LMU Coach Charity Elliott has clearly set a different tone. The Lions did a lot of running on offense, and inflicted high-pressure defense. Players showed out big who didn't used to play much. All saw floor time in today's game, and all but one scored.
And where their former coach used to criticize them from the sidelines and yell at them during timeouts, Elliott could be seen clapping her hands in encouragement at points throughout the game. At one point, when the offense did something she especially liked, Elliott turned and walked all the way down the bench, halfway crouched down so she could look in her player's eyes, emphatically talking. Then she stood up and turned back to the floor and applauded the athletes still playing.
Senior guard/forward Alex Cowling, who needs to be on a WNBA team next summer, lead LMU with 22 points and eight rebounds. Point guard Hazel Ramirez added 15 points and seven assists, while Melinda Gomez chipped in 12. (Cowling was first-team all WCC conference last year, and broke the school scoring record).
Box score.
Junior center Alexis Love and sophomore Emily Ben-Jumbo, who were relegated to the deep bench last year, started and grabbed six and eight rebounds, respectively. Gomez and sophomore forward Ashley Lovett also saw sporadic time last year, and today stepped up to make key contributions, as Lovett had six points and four rebounds.
Another set of bright spots were sophomore guard Taylor Anderson (six points, seven assists), junior forward/center Mackenzie Kerins (four points, four rebounds), and freshman guard/forward Chelsea Barnes (six points, four rebounds).
Sure, the Lions still have work to do. They got off to a slow start and didn't start to put away their opponents until the second half. They are getting good looks which means the plays are working, but sometimes they found themselves out of position under the basket (too low), which resulted in missing close shots.
Their confidence is still growing, as they hesitated at times. But they were loose on the court and are letting the game come to them. By the end of the second half, there were a few superstar plays.
It seems that the previously-downtrodden Lions have remembered why they each started playing the game in the first place: the starters came on to the court for tip off smiling. They are having fun, and it's fun to watch.
Other college news:
Lots of youth is on tap for Florida.
Senior Taylor Wurtz is leading the way at Wisconsin.
UNNC senior forward Jenn Hailey's mission is to own the boards.
Tennessee and UConn
Former Lady Vol Chamique Holdsclaw was honored as grand marshal of yesterday's homecoming parade.
Kara Lawson is still finding ways to assist the Summitt Foundation.
UConn Coach Geno Auriemma compared freshman Breanna Stewart to the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. Stewart was impressive in an exhibition debut.
Auriemma expects Caroline Doty to play in Wednesday's game. He discusses her health.
Auriemma is digging his team.
Other NCAA news:
A sign of things to come under Kim Barnes Arico? Michigan posts its first triple-digit game in 14 years.
UC Irvine is front-loaded.
St. Bonaventure in last year's afterglow.
Matt Bollant trying to change the mindset at Illinois.
Kara Lawson is still finding ways to assist the Summitt Foundation.
UConn Coach Geno Auriemma compared freshman Breanna Stewart to the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. Stewart was impressive in an exhibition debut.
Auriemma expects Caroline Doty to play in Wednesday's game. He discusses her health.
Auriemma is digging his team.
Other NCAA news:
A sign of things to come under Kim Barnes Arico? Michigan posts its first triple-digit game in 14 years.
UC Irvine is front-loaded.
St. Bonaventure in last year's afterglow.
Matt Bollant trying to change the mindset at Illinois.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Some good and bad news
Four were inducted into the Lady Vol Hall of Fame tonight, including Pat Summitt and Michelle Marciniak.
Notre Dame point guard Skylar Diggins and Coach Muffet McGraw are seeking their third shot at a national title.
Texas Tech junior forward Shauntal Nobles is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Oklahoma junior forward Lyndsey Cloman has ended her basketball career due to recurring back injuries.
A bit of WNBA:
Tulsa Shock guard Ivory Latta has launched her own life skills academy.
Atlanta Dream forward Armintie Price helped out at a special needs social recently.
Notre Dame point guard Skylar Diggins and Coach Muffet McGraw are seeking their third shot at a national title.
Texas Tech junior forward Shauntal Nobles is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Oklahoma junior forward Lyndsey Cloman has ended her basketball career due to recurring back injuries.
A bit of WNBA:
Tulsa Shock guard Ivory Latta has launched her own life skills academy.
Atlanta Dream forward Armintie Price helped out at a special needs social recently.
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