Longwood's Akila Smith

[Pinhead]

While Longwood ultimately prevailed versus Mount St. Mary's, it was certainly a tale of halves. I knew nothing of Longwood nor forward Akila Smith who dropped 32. She's fun to watch! She's long, lean, quick, and was pounding the paint from the onset. When the announcer mentioned her as 5'11" I said "what!" Did a quick search, confirmed it, then spent the rest of the game not believing it. To my eyes her game and length belies her height. Even when lined up for free throws she looked to me like one of the tallest players out there. Perhaps she was? I didn't search. Other than said quickness, she sure plays big. While the Wolfpack are next up and will be another matter, it's one-and-done-tourney-time! Wildcat men were just upset, so... Go Lancers!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Watched some of it off and on. Was a complete blowout early. Kudos to The Mount for a second half comeback that came up just short. Their star got going after halftime.

 

[Boreifs]

Watching that Longwood-Mount Mary game has me even more convinced that NCAA should divide Division I into two divisions for womens basketball and get rid of the WNIT. Those small mid major conferences are closer to D3 than to Power 5; they should never, ever have to suffer the humiliation of being first round fodder. Wouldn’t all those Longwood players prefer to compete for a 1A National Championship with a legitimate shot?

 

[triaddukefan]

While Longwood ultimately prevailed versus Mount St. Mary's, it was certainly a tale of halves. I knew nothing of Longwood nor forward Akila Smith who dropped 32. She's fun to watch! She's long, lean, quick, and was pounding the paint from the onset. When the announcer mentioned her as 5'11" I said "what!" Did a quick search, confirmed it, then spent the rest of the game not believing it. To my eyes her game and length belies her height. Even when lined up for free throws she looked to me like one of the tallest players out there. Perhaps she was? I didn't search. Other than said quickness, she sure plays big. While the Wolfpack are next up and will be another matter, it's one-and-done-tourney-time! Wildcat men were just upset, so... Go Lancers!

I've been singing her praises for awhile now. It's been a long time since I've seen a rim protector at that height. Actually saw her in person her sophomore year when Longwood visited High Point. She is the reigning Big South Player of the Year as well as the Defensive Player of the year for the second year in a row. She has the covid year of eligibility remaining so I'll be interested to see if she is finished with school altogether, stays at Longwood...or does the grad transfer route and moves up in competition.

 

[SVCBeercats]

While Longwood ultimately prevailed versus Mount St. Mary's, it was certainly a tale of halves. I knew nothing of Longwood nor forward Akila Smith who dropped 32. She's fun to watch! She's long, lean, quick, and was pounding the paint from the onset. When the announcer mentioned her as 5'11" I said "what!"

Tsk, tsk. You should have been thinking Gabby Williams (5'11") or Kalana Greene (5'10"). Both competed with the Bigs quite well. Less Scoring but consider who were their teammates.

Akila Smith - Longwood Lancers Forward - ESPN

View the profile of Longwood Lancers Forward Akila Smith on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

 

[sun]

Watching that Longwood-Mount Mary game has me even more convinced that NCAA should divide Division I into two divisions for womens basketball and get rid of the WNIT. Those small mid major conferences are closer to D3 than to Power 5; they should never, ever have to suffer the humiliation of being first round fodder. Wouldn’t all those Longwood players prefer to compete for a 1A National Championship with a legitimate shot?

The NCAA already has 3 Divisions, and there's too many Div. 2 schools with WBB programs for me to count.
"D3 sports are focused on the student-athlete experience (in contrast to the fan experience)...... "
The students /athletes don't have a problem being in Div. 1, it's the fans.

Division 1 schools offer many more sports than just basketball.
Students sued when the University of Hartford announced they were transitioning from Div. 1 to Div. 3.

Division	Number of Schools	Average School Size	Ratio of Student-Athletes to Students	Percentage of Athlete Who Receive Scholarships
Division 1	350	8,960	1:23	57%
Division 2	310	2,428	1:10	60%
Division 3	438	1,740	1:6	0% (but 80% of athletes receive non-athletic aid)

D1 vs. D2 vs. D3: What’s the Difference?

Learn about the major differences between D1, D2, and D3 college sports. This blog can help you decide what kind of school is right for you.

blog.collegevine.com

D2 Women's Basketball Colleges: A Complete List

View a full list of Division 2 women’s basketball colleges and find out which programs top the D2 women’s basketball rankings in our guide.

www.ncsasports.org

Judge Dismisses Several Requests to Stop University of Hartford's Move to Division III

When the University of Hartford announced its decision to transition its athletic programs from Division I to Division III, ten student athletes and managers filed a lawsuit to try and block the move. They also sought monetary damages. A federal judge has dismissed all but one of those claims of...

www.nbcconnecticut.com

 

[Boreifs]

Sun, I am totally aware of this. I taught at a D3 college and my daughter played D3 basketball. I’m sure you also realize that football has both D1 and D1a divisions, so there is a precedent for what I was proposing. Not every idea comes from ignorance.

 

[sun]

Sun, I am totally aware of this. I taught at a D3 college and my daughter played D3 basketball. I’m sure you also realize that football has both D1 and D1a divisions, so there is a precedent for what I was proposing. Not every idea comes from ignorance.

I truly think that's it wonderful and an honor that you were involved in coaching football.
I actually know very little about it.

But what I do know is that the NCAA shares money earned from the NCAAT with every Division 1 school because it is truly sanctioned as a national championship with every Division 1 school eligible to participate.
That's almost $1 billion in revenues that are shared.
The same cannot be said about the football subdivision which AFAIK, keeps the money to fund themselves.

To break apart the Division 1 national basketball championship could significantly impact the funding of college sports across the entire US.

If one looks at most all Olympic sports, there is no shame in losing.
It's all about the spirit of competition, and it's an honor just to be selected to be in the NCAAT to help them earn money to be shared with every other school.
And maybe that's why American gridiron football is not an Olympic sport at all and is treated differently.

 

[Pinhead]

Tsk, tsk. You should have been thinking Gabby Williams (5'11") or Kalana Greene (5'10"). Both competed with the Bigs quite well. Less Scoring but consider who were their teammates.

Was most definitely thinking of Gabby!

 

[Boreifs]

I truly think that's it wonderful and an honor that you were involved in coaching football.
I actually know very little about it.

But what I do know is that the NCAA shares money earned from the NCAAT with every Division 1 school because it is truly sanctioned as a national championship with every Division 1 school eligible to participate.
That's almost $1 billion in revenues that are shared.
The same cannot be said about the football subdivision which AFAIK, keeps the money to fund themselves.

To break apart the Division 1 national basketball championship could significantly impact the funding of college sports across the entire US.

If one looks at most all Olympic sports, there is no shame in losing.
It's all about the spirit of competition, and it's an honor just to be selected to be in the NCAAT to help them earn money to be shared with every other school.
And maybe that's why American gridiron football is not an Olympic sport at all and is treated differently.

I was a music professor, not a football coach.