WBB: American Southwest Conference

[golden_dome]

Congrats to HPU.  Will the fact that HPU is the national champion and 3 of the teams that came closest to HPU are in the ASC make a difference next year?  Also will this change the ASC having to play itself in the first couple of rounds in the tournament?

I doubt this year will change the format of the tournament selection, unfortunately. HPU had pretty much the same team this year as they did last year and I think  they would have had an excellent chance to win back to back national championships if they hosted a sectional last year. But on the flipside, there is a very good chance they would have lost at Hope if this year's sectional was played there. Hosting a sectional is huge when teams are as close as those two are, I'm just glad the committee used the rare opportunity to send this year's sectional to HPU with all four teams remaining a flight from each other.

Congratulations to HPU, what a great season. When I saw them earlier this season at MS College, I thought Meia Daniels was the best player I had personally seen in the ASC and was probably the nation's best this year. Happy to see her, along with the other seniors, finish off the season. They certainly are deserving of all the national honors they picked up this year, along with Coach Kielsmeier.

The rest of the ASC says thank you for showing the nation that Division III basketball is pretty good down here too.

[mcmfan]

Before we all say good-bye to each other before the start of next year's basketball season, any final thoughts on what next years' teams will look like?  HPU and McM both lose a lot of key seniors.  I'd wonder if next year doesn't belong to HSU -- most of their players this year were not seniors, and they won all their games except those against McM and HPU.  The key will be recruiting, so I'm sure the coaches are already pounding the pavement.

[golfniz1]

mcmfan I believe that HSU, UT- Tyler, MHB, and Concordia are going to be some very solid ball clubs next year. After watching all these teams this year these teams seem to have the best nucleus of players coming back next year. HPU will be will be good team and they have a good group of recruits coming in and could be a darkhorse. yes Mac will be a solid group also they as HPU have some big shoes to fill. Hey big guy how about those Jackets? They played probably the best 2 defensive games that I have ever seen in Womens College Basketball they swarmed both UWWW and Messiah they did not have an answer for their 2-3 zone. It was a thing of beauty. Mcmfan you would have been proud! well im tired just got in from Michigan and going to bed so all you HPU doubters who were out there shame on you.  HPU THE NUMBER ! COOLEGE BASKTBALL TEAM IN D3 and the only undefeated team in NCAA whatever Division.  AWESOME   BABY as Dick Vital would say.

[Ralph Turner]

I think that we have seen the model to win it all.

The HSU, the McM and the HPU previous iterations (pre-2007) had deficiencies in the post.  (I will appreciate Chad Grubbs assessment as well.)

I think that Coach Kielsmeier had the "complete set of tools in the toolbox".  The national teams with the exception of Hope were similarly out-classed by HPU.  I believe that we could make a strong case for McMurry to be ranked as high as 3rd and most definitely 5th.

The thing that stands out for me is the HPU depth in the post...at least 4-5 players in the rotation is preferable.

As for next year, I like HSU and UMHB on the West and UT-Tyler on the East.  I am not sure what MissColl and LaCollege can bring in.

McMurry is losing three to graduation and maybe a 4th as well.  (Mission accomplished!  )

[twoblindrefs]

Congrats to Howard Payne on winning the NCAA D3 Women's Basketball Championship.

[HopeCSO]

Does anyone know how I can obtain a copy of the Hope/HPU game?  I am sure I am not the only one that would like to watch the game even if the outcome is already known.

On a side note...Hope you enjoyed the pre-game SNOW slide on cafeteria trays at Devos Fieldhouse!

[hsusid]

First of all congrats to Chris and his girls, they went on a magical run and it was nice to see an ASC team finally bring home the title.

I truly believe playing in this conference gave them what they needed to get over the hump. I remember talking to Chris back before the game we played in the regular season in Abilene. He was talking how he didn't know if his team could finish off playing HSU and McMurry for the fourth time in a row in a matter of nine days.

Sure enough they jumped to a big lead, we made a run at them and they were able to hold us off at the end. That showed me right there they were more mentally tough than ever before. A coach worrying about his team's ability to remain focused before the game and when it came right down to it, they were able to overcome that and go on to victory.

Chris and I talked last week and that was the message. He had been prepared in this league, that the big crowd would not be a factor, playing two tough teams back-to-back would not be a factor, and anything he would see at the Final Four would not be something he had not seen at some point from the ASC from someone.

What I saw with this team, they did it however they needed to get the job done. In the three games against HSU they got a big effort from all three of their stats. Blalock in Brownwood, Blalock and Hoffman in Abilene and Daniels in the conference tournament. They had more than one option they could go to.

I think they had the element I talked about back in December. They had three players that could play inside-out with Daniels, Blalock and Hoffman. They could score off the dribble and when things broke down they could put into Daniels' hands and she could create her own shot.

I don't know that they had a rotation of five post players, because really only Blalock and sometimes Hoffman were the ones you could dump it into in the post and she could find a way to score. They had five post players that played well and could score from the inside or out and were good finishers off of either a penetration and kick or off offensive rebounds.

Their zone also was able to contain those multi-dimensional players on the other team.

I think HPU's length (they all are long and have long arms), especially on defense, having that special player in Daniels and their ability to have three players carry you in scoring were the keys to them winning this title.

Next year will be interesting for sure.

[realist]

Just curious about what any HPU fans that went to MI this past weekend thought of your experience there.  Did the "Dutch" treat you decently?
Do you know how tough it was to arrrange the snow just for you?

[HopeCSO]

Just curious about what any HPU fans that went to MI this past weekend thought of your experience there.  Did the "Dutch" treat you decently?
Do you know how tough it was to arrrange the snow just for you?

I will pass this post onto the Grounds Crew so they can send you the bill for Friday night and Saturday morning snow removal.   

[inthepaint]

It reminds me of a 99 yard touchdown run.  Someone may one day match it but nobody will ever surpass it! 

Can't you surpass that if you catch a kick in the endzone, and then run it clear down the field? 

The longest run from the line of scrimmage is 99 yards.  Tony Dorsett holds the Cowboy's record for such a run.  It can be tied but never broken.  What you describe is a return run.  An interception or fumble recovery could be run back for a 100 yard run, but not an offensive run from the line of scrimmage.

[inthepaint]

Before we all say good-bye to each other before the start of next year's basketball season, any final thoughts on what next years' teams will look like?  HPU and McM both lose a lot of key seniors.  I'd wonder if next year doesn't belong to HSU -- most of their players this year were not seniors, and they won all their games except those against McM and HPU.  The key will be recruiting, so I'm sure the coaches are already pounding the pavement.

I believe the big change at HPU will be at the position of head coach.  I simply can't believe that he will not be offered jobs at other places with more money and a greater opportunity to continue to advance his personal career.  I certainly don't know what the future holds; my own much less Coach K's, but I find it difficult to believe that his phone won't soon be ringing. 

Prepare yourselves!  I think it is inevitable that he departs. 

[Ralph Turner]

...
The longest run from the line of scrimmage is 99 yards.  Tony Dorsett holds the Cowboy's record for such a run... 

in a game that the Cowboys lost!

[golfniz1]

Mr. Turner to me and I watched alot of HPUs games this year and if you polled the players their toughest games they played were against McMurry and HSU. Two very physical teams that will get after you till that final buzzer.  Hope was a good basketball team no doubt, but HPU should have beat them by double digits.  That is just my opinion because I was there and saw the game.  I feel that McMurry or HSU was in that final 4 they could very easily have one too.  The ASC is getting better and I hope that by HPU winning the championship that it will help all of the schools with recruiting so they can get good players to come play in what is becoming a very competative confrence.  THANKS for all the support you showed for HPU in their run I'm sure it meant alot to the girls as much as myself.

[HopeConvert]

mcmfan I believe that HSU, UT- Tyler, MHB, and Concordia are going to be some very solid ball clubs next year. After watching all these teams this year these teams seem to have the best nucleus of players coming back next year. HPU will be will be good team and they have a good group of recruits coming in and could be a darkhorse. yes Mac will be a solid group also they as HPU have some big shoes to fill. Hey big guy how about those Jackets? They played probably the best 2 defensive games that I have ever seen in Womens College Basketball they swarmed both UWWW and Messiah they did not have an answer for their 2-3 zone. It was a thing of beauty. Mcmfan you would have been proud! well im tired just got in from Michigan and going to bed so all you HPU doubters who were out there shame on you.  HPU THE NUMBER ! COOLEGE BASKTBALL TEAM IN D3 and the only undefeated team in NCAA whatever Division.  AWESOME   BABY as Dick Vital would say.

Bentley and Grand Valley in men's D2 are both undefeated., as is Delta State in DII women's.

[bruzer]

First post here 

To answer your question MCMFAN...his last name is spelled Kielsmeier...yeah, pretty annoying d3hoops can't spell the D3 Coach of the Year's last name correctly!!!!   

Congratulations to the Lady Jackets and to Coach K and Coach Hat!!!  I am so unbelievably proud of you all!!!  Watching the game on Saturday I was beaming with pride and of course, jumping up and down in my living room.     
Knowing Coach K, Coach Hat and most of the players personally, I had tears in my eyes because I know how much hard work has gone into the years leading up to this National Championship.  I am sure that all of us who have been a part of the Lady Jacket program at one time or another are feeling that National Championship right along with you! 
Coach K, I have worked with a lot of great coaches in my time, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you are the greatEST coach I have known!  I am proud to call you a friend and I wish you the very best for your future.  Can't wait to hang out now that season is FINALLY over!!!     Coach Hat - congratulations to the winningest assistant coach in women's basketball...hahahahaha!!!!  Love ya girl!!!  To my girls - Kim, Meia, Stacey, DP and the rest of the team, you will always have a special place in my heart.  It has been a pleasure watching you play and you have made me so proud seeing how you have overcome the obstacles in your life.  As Coach K said in his postgame interview, you are not just great players, but you are also great people.  Love you all!!!  Look forward to seeing you soon!