WBB: GSAC

[scottiedoug]

I guess the Transy game tells us a little about how good the Scots are...not good enough to venture safely out of the southeast D3 world, at least not tonight!

Only bright spot was that Natalie got untracked, but by herself.

[colincondi]

At the break, it looks like Maryville is once again the head of the class and should go unchallenged in the... let's face it... EXTREMELY weak GSAC.  If they stay healthy, another trip to the NCAA's should happen...

Head of the class:  Maryville -probably not quite as good as last year, but still a solid team... though don't seem to be top 25 worthy... two good wins to start the season and a home win against a decent OU team... depth could be a problem... don't see them making noise in the big dance

Fighting for a DISTANT second:  Piedmont, Agnes Scott, LaGrange-  Piedmont seemed like it would be a sure second, but they have been underwhelming thus far.  I'll still pick them over a surprisingly improved LaGrange and an also underwhelming Agnes Scott... thought they would really be better this year.

Also-rans:  Huntingdon, Spelman, Wesleyan... don't even need to talk about these programs... at least they take the conference to seven teams...

[scottiedoug]

Those of you interested in the philosophy and finances of D3 athletics will be interested in a series of articles in the Maryville (TN) DailyTimes.  The focus is Maryville (and Beth Reed) and the GSAC they refer quite a bit to other schools in other leagues, including ODAC, SCAC, USASouth, WIAC, and others. Here are links to the first two:

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061226/SPORTS/612260319&SearchID=73267240633587

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061227/SPORTS/612270306http://

Each links to a second, related, article.

[GSAC Killer]

Just wanted to post and say that Coach Pardue and the Lady Scots have done a great job for the first 10 games of the season. With conference play coming up the Lady Scots will pile up the wins!!

Wishing continued success to the lady scots for this new year and best of luck at Lagrange and Piedmont..

[GSAC Killer]

BAD BAD LOSS for the Scots against Piedmont!!

[GottaHaveHeart]

What happened against Piedmont? Bad outside shooting night for sure looking at box score.

Looks like Coach also made a couple of changes in the starting lineup the last 2 games.

[GSAC Killer]

Since I always say what is on my mind, I will say this: The Scot should never lose a Conference game especially with the talent this years team has. I know Saxe had 23 points but she took 20 shots!!!!!!!!!! Holy COW!!!! Thats a lot of shots for anyone but especially Saxe..
Hey I was not at the game but it seems to me foul trouble had something to do with the los and the play of Beth Reed... MC is only good when beth is at her best??

WHat has happened to Flemmings playing time?? Who is Alicia Brown? The loss hurts a lot when it comes to selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament..

[Ralph Turner]

Remember, the GSAC has a Pool A bid, and so the winner of the conference tourney gets the bid.

If the Lady Scots win the tourney, then the loss will possibly impact one of the 15 first weekend playoff venues.  Otherwise the loss impacts Pool C chances.

(Piedmont is putting together a strong season.  It appears that the Piedmont loss (worth 7 points on the QOWI system) may hurt them less in terms of the QOIW than the Transylvania loss, which could turn out to be a 5 point loss, if Transy finished with an in-region record between .500-.665.)

[GottaHaveHeart]

I figured it was just a matter of time on Flemming playing time since she was just starting in front of Mel to begin the season. I don't get the Munday for Saxe switch though. From what I have seen, Saxe is the best post player we got and rebounder. We got killed on the boards against Piedmont. Alicia Brown transfered in from UTK where she was on the softball team. She played high school ball at Clinton I think is what Alex said. I'm still surprised the 2 kids from Farragut, Draper and Haley, are getting no minutes. Nothing against the Brown kid, but she transfers in and plays more than the kids who have been there from the start. Interesting developement.

[GottaHaveHeart]

Very nice win for the ladies....beating King College, a NAIA school.

[scottiedoug]

I have not seen the Scots  play since the holidays and have not seen Alicia Brown, but she is listed as a (small) guard.  The Farragut frosh are forwards.  With Alex out, I would imagine coach wants someone (Brown?) to spell Beth Reed. 

[GottaHaveHeart]

I guess I'm a little too old school for todays game. I like loyalty to the players who went through it all, the spring and summer open gyms, weights, practices after school started, etc. Nothing against the Brown kid, believe me, my personal perference is to give the kids who have been there at least an opportunity. I have seen them play. Mel handles the ball just as well or better than the Brown kid. Either kid, Draper or Haley, could play the wing and the team would be just as effective with Mel as point as it is with the Brown kid at point, while spelling Beth.

[MCScotsFan]

I'm of that thinking also but things have definitely changed. It was good to see all the Lady Scots (except Mel) out there tonight even though it wasn't much of a game.
I gotta say, the surprise for me to watch this year has got to be Kim Seal. I honestly thought I would never see her out there playing ball like she is. She is having a great year and is quite the shooter. Even in her freshman year she did not play like this. I don't think she is the most natural athlete, but she is playing good solid, dependable ball and I doubt she would have see the court without Coach Pardue.
I thought Natalie looked more "up" tonight. Saturday's game I thought she wanted to be anywhere but in Cooper. Talk about hard to watch...someone so talented not trying--looking like she doesn't want to play or play here or play for him or something. He doesn't seem like he's a jerk of a coach so why not give some effort and make the best of the situation because you love the game? *sorry for the vent* I really like Nat and want her to "like" playing here.

[scottiedoug]

Is Mel ok?  There is an interesting article about Kim Seal linked to the Scots web page.
http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/athletics/news-detail.asp?sportNameID=10&id=1750

[batteredbard]

Stefan wrote a great story, its worth the read.

My impression is Pardue is getting Brown in playing shape as quickly as possible because she can create some more personell options among the ballhandlers.
Uner sat out Wed. against Fisk with muscle pull, be back saturday, but it showed why Brown's getting the floor time she is. There just isn't a lot of depth out there at guard. Most of the nonreturnees were guards plus Dee took one with him and Walker is out this season. IMPO Beth and Summer played way too many minutes early on (over 38 each the first five or six games) but there wasn't much choice then. Piedmont showed everyone something in forcing the action at beth when possible, if she's fouled out MC is easier to beat in a close game. MC held on against King when she fouled out again but Brown was a week more comofrtable and showed it then.
Uner can handle the point fine when needed but when she does it seems to take away some of the freedom at the 2 that she seems to thrive on in coming up with steals and creating on offense.


As for Nat, she hasn't seemed herself on the court and I think attempts were made to get her game jump started by shifting the starting lineup against Piedmont, King and Fisk. But it was feb before she really caught fire last year so who knows, maybe it'll happen again.


Rereading that story on the link, help me out,  when did Transy become NAIA? I thought the guys were midwest region and girls central region in D3. Are they transitioning out of the NCAA?