Congrats to DePauw in winning the Amy Hasbrook Tip Off tourney. They handled a good Illinois Wesleyn team who is probably a top ten team after easily beating Wash U the night before. DePauw was ready and guarded the perimeter game well. It was a great team effort and the special bonus is that a several Freshman came in and played extremely well. DePauw is the real deal again this year.

Just a note from Depauw  from the kick-off tourney: Wash U vs Illinois Wesleyan: Ill W is a top ten team and were under-rated.  Wash U ran into a well-oiled buzz saw. Il W returns all their starters from a team that beat Depauw last year then had two injuries late in the year that did them in. They run a four guard offense with alot of motion and great outside shooting. Wash U looked out of sink against them but that is the way they looked last year in this early tourney. Wash U is young and often had three Freshman on the floor. Their point guard who tore her ACL last year is at about 70 per cent. She had 25 against DePauw in that first game last year but I do not think she scored against Ill West. Ill West really dominated them getting up as much as 23. Wash U looked alot better against Olivett but not near the competition that Ill Wes offered. Coach Fahey will have them ready for their usual conference run because the Freshman have a huge upside and the point will get healthier. I really wondered going into the weekend if Depauw and Wash U deserved their top ten ranking because both teams lost alot of talent from last year. Depauw was ready for Ill W and pulled off the win and probably deserves to be in the top ten. Ill W is a great team and IT IS HARD FOR ANYONE TO BEAT WASH U AND DEPAUW IN THE SAME WEEKEND. Wash U as usual is  at least a top twenty team and will get better.

Quote from: FlightofthePetrel on October 16, 2007, 02:45:07 PM

My Predictions:

1. Oglethorpe- returned everyone (minus Harris who came off the bench) and gained a big freshman class.
2. Depauw- The lost Bondi... that alone will allow OU to over come the Tigers
3. Rhodes-  This is Ashley Farrell's team... she'll carry them to a 3rd place finish
4. Trinity-  I expect trinity to reload from a down year and  thought of putting them above Rhodes but feel like they will be more of a force in 2 years.
5. Hendrix- The loss of Huggins and Hicks will really hurt this team but they're a scrappy bunch, had to put them somewhere in the middle.
6. Sewanee-  I feel like Sewanee will be much improved this year.  Although they lose Petay, Reninger looks to be a go to player in the making (at least when I saw her play last year).  Sewanee will go as she goes.
7. Austin- After a go around the Roos will not sneak up on anyone this year.  Teams will be ready for them this year.
8. Southwestern-  They lose George and only 3 Freshmen come in I don't see them improving this year.
9. Centre-  don't know much about them so I put them at 9.
10. Millsaps- Shouldn't give any teams trouble except in an intrasquad scrimmage.

In the words of the infamous football analyst Lee Corso: "Not so fast my friends"

As I see it:

1. Depauw: Yes will miss Bondi, Doughty and McGonigal but will return three starters ( Sr. Kalei Lowes, Jr. Cassie Pruzin and So. Emily Marshall) and four who played alot of minutes in that title run (Srs. Gretchen and Gwen Haehl, Jr. Andrea Travelstead, So. Jenna Fernandez). Throw in a coaching staff second to none(head coach Kris Huffman with 300+ wins) and a great recruiting class, the Tigers are reloading and repeating. This group knows how to win!!!
2. Oglethorpe: Will be very good since returning everyone. Probably will meet Depauw in Conference finals and qualify for the big dance
3. Trinity
4. Rhoades
5. Southwestern
6. Austin
7. Sewanee
8. Hendrix
9. Colorado College
10. Centre
11. Milsaps
12. Birmingham-Southern (last because their games don't cout this year)

I see someone has knowledge of the tourney in Cancun next December. I know that Depauw will be playing. Does anyone have a web site or more info on this tourney?? I would love to know the exact dates. I think it is before Christmas?  Depauw loses 5 seniors; 4 played significant minutes and had big production including All-American Liz Bondi. Sounds like great competition lining up.

Just got back from Springfield. It was, in a word, spectacular in spite of the 9 inches of snow! This team led the nation in several offensive categories going into the weekend but in the end it was defense, the low number of turnovers and the team depth that got it done this weekend.  Anytime a team competes for a national it is a long difficult road that requires multiple individuals pulling together as a team. You have to realize that this team started two a day practices 5 months ago. And talk about "road" this team traveled more than any team in the country--from San Deigo, Atlanta, Dallas, St. Louis, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, Kentucky, Memphis twice and Boston (twice in  last 10 days.) This Depauw team had tremendous grit and team chemistry.  Every game, all year, there were different individulas stepping up.

It was the depth of this team that wore down Mary Washington and the never panic attitude that sealed the win. In the final game Depauw was the best team on the floor. This would  not have been as close as the final score if Depauw would have shot like they did against Emmanuel a week earlier 90 miles up the road in Boston. The players however hit the big shots that counted down the stretch. Ah the "defense", as the old addage says, wins games."

Congratulations to a great group of girls who are gutsy, gritty and very talented. Enjoy it because it is a once in a life time journey!! Thanks for the memories! --- Hey but wait 'til next year, Depauw will reload.

Congrats to the Depauw team!! They really dialed it in this weekend by first slamming Emmanuel on their home floor. It was a virtual clinic on breaking the press of Emmanuel.  Depauw then took care of a great Calvin team with Winkle putting  on quite a show for Calvin in the first half. Calvin, however could not get by Depauw's great balance and depth. Will see you in Springfield, Tigers. Two more wins!

Congrats to Depauw and Coach Huffman and staff.  300 wins!! wow! And this team is not done. I figure four more wins will do.

As far as understanding why this regional is not being played in the Midwest is beyond me. I asked the  Hoopsville live show and I was told it was because Emmanual had the higher seed. I am not sure why they had the higher seed!?? This fan is driving to Columbus Ohio and getting a direct flight on Jet Blue for $130 for round trip. There were also some decent flights out of Dayton but I agree the flights out of Indy were pricey. Let's hope I don't get left on the runway for 10 hours with Jet Blue. Check ou the jet Blue web site.

BTW the team that got the real shaft was Texas team going to Iowa!!!!