WBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

WarHens 75 Red Hens 66. Sorry but I'm not much into the "lady" versions of mascot names.  Nice effort by Ripon though, unfortunately Whitewater refused to miss free throws down the stretch or this one might have had a different ending.

[ccbball]

Looks like the Carroll women are not rebuilding, only reloading.  They had a great win over #11 ranked University of Chicago yesterday in Waukesha.  I'm sure the young team learned a lot in their early defeat against Lakeland.  This will be a fun team to watch!

[gbpuckfan]

Congrats to SNC Coach Connie Tilley - as she approaches her 500th win, the school named the court for her at the Schuldes Sports Center.

She will be just the 15th NCAA coach to reach that milestone.

[jam8788]

Seewald's ACL injury is a huge loss for Carroll.  Will they be able to fight for the conference championship without her?  I'm not so sure, she's such a huge asset to that perimeter.  Losing her takes away a lot of Carroll's firepower from the 3-pt line.

[Just Bill]

Links for all the Wisconsin teams for tonight's games:

MEN
UW-Platteville vs. Hope (6:00 PM)
Live Stats: http://livestats.internetconsult.com/wheaton/wbball/
Live Video: http://www.wheaton.edu/wetn/
Live Audio (UWP): http://www.uwplatt.edu/athletics/stream/index.html

UW-Stevens Point vs. Cornell (6:00 PM)
Live Audio (D3Hoops.com): http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/
Live Audio (UWSP): http://www.b1049.com/
Live Video: http://www.mnsportsnetwork.com/
Live In-game blog: http://www.tommiesports.com/

Lawrence vs. Washington Univ. (6:00 PM)
Live Stats: http://elmhurst.edu/~athletic/Home/M-Basket/stats/live/xlive.htm
Live Audio (D3Hoops.com): http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/ 

UW-Whitewater vs. Elmhurst (approx. 8:00 PM)
Live Stats: http://elmhurst.edu/~athletic/Home/M-Basket/stats/live/xlive.htm
Live Audio (D3Hoops.com): http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/

WOMEN
Concordia (Wis.) vs. Concordia Moorhead (5:00 PM)
Live Stats: http://livestats.internetconsult.com/uwsp/wbball/
Live Audio (CUW): http://athletics.cuw.edu/scoreboard/Basketball-VideoScoreboard2.html

UW-Whitewater vs. Simpson (5:30 PM)
Live Audio (D3Hoops.com): http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/
Live Audio (UWW): http://www.uwwsports.com/sports/gen/2007/followthewarhawks_09202007.asp
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/sju/mbball/xlive.htm

UW-Eau Claire vs. DePauw (6:00 PM)
Live Stats: http://www.iwu.edu/~iwunews/sports/live/Basketball/xlive.htm
Live Audio (DEP): http://www.depauw.edu/univ/wgre/listen.asp
Live Audio (UWEC): http://www.sportsradio1400.com/cc-common/ondemand/player.html?world=st

UW-Stevens Point vs. Maryville (approx. 7:00 PM)
Live Audio (UWSP): http://radio.securenetsystems.net//radio_player_large.cfm?stationCallSign=WSPT
Live Stats: http://livestats.internetconsult.com/uwsp/wbball/

Ripon vs. St. Benedict (approx. 7:30 PM)
Live Audio (CSB): http://www.csbblazers.com/sports/2009/3/4/GEN_0304093731.aspx?id=455
Live Audio (D3Hoops.com): http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/sju/mbball/xlive.htm

[WLCALUM83]

Here's news on a prep player headed Lake Forest's direction:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/45552577.html

("Other college choices" section)

[bballer1280]

I recently saw on the Grinnell College women's basketball website a blog that mentioned incoming freshmen recruits for the Lady Pioneers expected to arrive on campus this coming fall.  Those players reportedly to be coming to Grinnell are Toluwa Alabi (Nigeria), Michelle Briggs (Monterey, CA), Liz Burton (West Des Moines), Kelly Clarke (Eureka Springs, AR), Karen Gogins (Roseville, MN), Erica Tharp (Joy, IL), and Kelly Zucker (Phoenix, AR).  This is by far the largest class of incoming freshmen (7 total) recruited to play women's basketball at Grinnell as far as my memory can recall.  It will be interesting to see what Kate Gluckman's first recruiting class looks like and it will be interesting to see how this young class jells with last year's nice class of freshmen that represented former coach, Andy Hamilton's, last recruiting class which Coach Gluckman inherited. 

With some additional research, I was able to learn that Michelle Briggs is a 6'3" post player who put up very good scoring (about 14 per game as far as I can tell) and rebounding numbers (about 9 per game) for Santa Catalina H.S. in the next to smallest classification in California and Liz Burton at 6'1" was a double-double (scoring 15 and rebounding 10 per game) girl for large class Valley H.S. in Iowa.  Those two players will provide the needed height in the post that typically was missing game in and game out for the Lady Pioneers last winter that will provide solid defense and rebounding along with easy low post baskets that were so hard to come by last season in the form of offensive stick backs and set low post plays.  There presence on the court should be extremely important for the progress of this team if Coach Gluckman is to establish a foundation for the program to succeed in her tenure. 

Although I was not able to determine a lot of information about other players that Gluckman has recruited in for next season, it would appear that Kelly Clarke of Eureka Springs, AR, and Erica Tharp of Westmer H.S. in Joy, IL, would be the "sharp shooting 3-point specialists" that seem to be attracted to Grinnell College in both the men's and women's basketball programs.  Those two players are likely to be potential scorers in the rotation this coming winter that will be needed to provide team depth and offense lost by the graduation of Jody Watkins.

Last year's freshmen were led by starting post player, Meg Huey (Valley H.S., West Des Moines, IA) and the first player off the bench in combo guard Ashley Jeannin (Basehor-Linwood H.S., Bonner Springs, KS).  These two players showed lots of promise last season as the season progressed.  Huey proved to be a very reliable defender and rebounder with good ballhandling skills for a post player.  Jeannin showed very good passing and defensive skills combined with solid ballhandling skills and improved 3-point shooting skills by season's end.  Another freshmen from last season, Sara Hoffman (Lyons Township H.S., Western Springs, IL), showed solid potential as a wing forward with her 6'0" frame highlighted by her strong rebounding skills and mid-range scoring ability.  These three girls, along with the young class of incoming recruits, could prove to be the foundation of a good team in the years ahead for Coach Gluckman.

Finally, with veteran returnees in sharp shooter and lone returning senior, Jessica Shotts, along with juniors Brianna Gallo (defensive standout guard), Mallory Scharf (forward), and Jessica Vaverka (forward), the mix of youth and experience could allow the Lady Pioneers to make a move out of the conference bottom third in 2009-2010.  Despite a 4-19 overall record (3-13 in conference), this program has a chance to improve in the next couple of years.  The size, athleticism, and skill of the players coming into the program is an improvement from what has been the case in the past.  I don't expect a team that has 11 freshmen and sophomores to win a lot of games this winter.  That just does not happen.  However, the talent in the program is improving and a conference record of 6-10 and an overall record of 10-13 is attainable in the coming season.  That type of success will be the foundation for improved play in the next two or three years as well.  I think that it is possible for the Lady Pioneers to challenge for a MWC tournament berth in a couple of years, too, based on the type of athletes that have been recruited into the program.

[bballer1280]

After completing some additional internet research regarding some facts related to the incoming freshmen class of Grinnell College recruited by Coach Kate Gluckman, I have learned the following information:

Michelle Briggs, 6'3" post from Santa Catalina H.S. in Monterey, CA, averaged 16.6 points per game and 14.1 rebounds per game according to the Monterey Herald News Online.

Liz Burton, 6'1" post from Valley H.S. in West Des Moines, IA, averaged 8.1 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game according to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union website.

Karen Gogins, 5'9" combo guard from Roseville H.S. in Roseville, MN, averaged 7.4 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assists per game according to MaxPreps website.

Erica Tharp, 5'5" combo guard from Westmer H.S. in Joy, IL, averaged 15.7 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game according to the Lincoln Trail News.

As mentioned earlier, Coach Gluckman's first recruiting class combined with key returnees from last season such as senior Jessica Shotts (wing guard); juniors Jessica Vaverka (forward), Mallory Sharf (forward), and Brianna Gallo (point guard); and sophomores Meg Huey (forward), Ashley Jeannin (combo guard), and Sara Hoffman (wing guard) give the Lady Pioneers a chance to develop into a solid team in the next couple years while evolving into a potentially competitive team in the MWC in the years ahead.  From top to bottom, this team will be vastly improved next season with better size, skill, and athleticism.  Although it is to early to tell how good this team can become, the fact that Grinnell College has some legitimate size on the roster and improved athleticism and skill through out its roster indicates that improvements will be forth coming.

Good luck to the Grinnell College Lady Pioneers in the 2009-2010 basketball season.

[bballer1280]

Now, the fun starts with today representing the first day of practice.  Also, for many D-3 colleges, one month from today represents the opening game of the actual regular season.  Thank goodness basketball has arrived.  I just love it.  Go, Grinnell College!!!

[jam8788]

Yes it sounds like Grinnell has some nice players coming, but I don't see them moving up in the standings all that much this year.  St. Norb and Ripon will still dominate because of their strong post players.  Carroll and Beloit will be near the top, as usual. 

[bballer1280]

Yes it sounds like Grinnell has some nice players coming, but I don't see them moving up in the standings all that much this year.  St. Norb and Ripon will still dominate because of their strong post players.  Carroll and Beloit will be near the top, as usual. 

I definitely agree with you from the perspective that the current addition of Lady Pioneers from Grinnell will be extremely young.  However, Grinnell has a probable chance of improving this season with a reasonable goal of winning 6 games in the MWC as a reasonable goal for this season.  To win those 6 conference games, Grinnell would need to beat Knox both at home and on the road, defeat Lawrence at home, and split with Monmouth, Lake Forest, and Illinois College.  I believe that is possible and achieving those victories would be a step in the right direction given the youthfulness of the team and the potential of that youth two and three years down the road.

Grinnell College's 2009-2010 roster is now online.  That website is as follows:

http://www.grinnell.edu/athletics/wbasketball/roster/

[jam8788]

Carroll's got their roster up: http://athletics.carrollu.edu/sports/roster.asp?teamid=353

Is Seewald healthy this year?

[The Roop]

Marquette 102 Beloit 30. Two D1 exhibition games in recent years with almost identical results. The Lady Bucs may want to look for a D2 opponent in the future or simply not schedule exhibition games.

[jam8788]

Yikes!  That's as lopsided a score as UW Madison's rout of UW Oshkosh on Sunday.  I agree with you Roop... I don't quite understand what Beloit gets out of this match-up every year.  Maybe a little bit of publicity for their program - they say that any publicity, good or bad, is publicity!  But I doubt the players look forward to this game every year.  MWC teams are only allowed one scrimmage every season - why waste it on a game vs a DI team?

[The Roop]

In a way I can understand the 105-28 (or whatever it was) thrashing UW-Milwaukee gave them as they only dressed 6. The rest of the team was playing in the MWC volleyball tournament at the time and they only had 1 starter available I believe. This time they should have been at full strength but didn't do any better.