Opening Day Scores-one upset...so far

[DefenseBB]

As I sit here waiting for SC-NC State ( and a work meeting to start), I perused the scoreboard and saw some interesting scores:
Jacksonville beat Minnesota at Minnesota 69-68, with the Gophers blowing an 8 point lead heading into the final quarter. Is the Lindsay Whalen watch officially started this year? Yikes...
Iowa State beat Omaha 65-38, with a half time score of 26 to 18. Ashley Joens was 4-16 (yikes!) and ISU shot 23-64 for a putrid 36% FG. More TO's than Assists 13-12, Thank goodness I didn't put them in my top 25!
LSU beat Nicholls 82-40 and won the A-TO battle 23-16 with 13 assists by Pointer!
Maryland trounced Longwood 97-67 with Angel Reese leading the way with 21 points. Only 16 assists on 46 baskets.
Nebraska beat Maine 108-50. Maybe Amy Williams has finally turned the program around but then again, the BigTen is loaded this year...and her OOC schedule is putrid.

That's all for now but keep the scores coming in!

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Didn't I read that Joens was questionable to play in that game with an ankle? Probably explains a fair amount of the struggle by her and Iowa State.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Donarski stepped up for Iowa St., 6-12 behind the arc.

 

[JellyBean]

I was listening to that Gophers game today Coach Lindsay will get another year or two before some folks start complaining. She has some recruits in the next class that could be program changing players.

 

[rvwsleep]

Texas freshman, Kyndall Hunter, off the bench with 21 points in the first half !!
She was 7 of 8 from the 3 point line.

 

[eebmg]

I was listening to that Gophers game today Coach Lindsay will get another year or two before some folks start complaining. She has some recruits in the next class that could be program changing players.

2022 High School Girls' Basketball Recruits - Minnesota - ESPN

Find what players have committed to your favorite school. Videos, analysis and more on ESPN.com

www.espn.com

Paige Hopkins Team mate Amaya Battle
and Wyzanta foe Mara Braun

Would be nice to play MN next year for a Paige reunion.

 

[Dillon77]

ND got back at Ohio, 105-69. It was 47-42 ND at half and then ND just took off. Plus, Sonia Citron figured out how to play CeCe Hooks, who had gone for 17 in the first half. Citron guarded her most of the 2nd half: 4 pts.

ND's height helped: Maya Dodson had 25 pts on 11-16 shooting and Maddy Westbeld, 13, on 6 of 8. It's been a long time since I (or anyone, for that matter) have seen Maya Dodson play. She's really rangy, strong and runs the floor well.

ND pushed pace and distributed the ball, with Olivia Miles having 11 assists.

But when you watched the game, and checked out the box score, Sonia Citron -- in her first collegiate game -- was all over it: 30 minutes played (but she didn't start), 13 pts, 7 rebounds (led team) 6 assists, solid defense, kept moving on half-court sets. Everything seems doable and she doesn't get flustered. Neither, of course, does Westbeld; and, Miles plays under control with both of them around.

p.s. Sam Brunelle, by her admission, has dropped 25 to 30 pounds from last year, gotten over nagging knee injuries and has "been living in the gym." She went for 20 last night in 17 minutes, knocked down more than a few 3's, got some inside looks and had a few blocks herself. Not surprisingly, she plays well with Dodson and Citron.

 

[Vowelguy]

Michigan needed OT to beat IUPUI !
Baylor not able to put Texas St away -- lead has held at 10-14.

 

[Kaizen]

Texas freshman, Kyndall Hunter, off the bench with 21 points in the first half !!
She was 7 of 8 from the 3 point line.

Hunter has 27 pts and 7-8 3 pts with only 14 mins play time. She is really good.

 

[militarydog]

Mississippi State wins big over Alabama State 91-62 in a game that wasn’t that close. ASU was overmatched but MSU played well. Their body language and entire structure of their offense and defense looked better. 18 assists with only 6 turnovers. Based off what I’ve seen to date I like D Carter, R Jackson, J Jordan, An Hayes, and M Taylor starting with R Fairley, C Kohl, A Hayes, and A Jones coming off the bench. Anastasia Hayes and Ashley Jones are both hard nosed aggressive players. MSU does have to find a way to rest R Jackson and A Hayes needs to concentrate on developing into a backup point guard. Further, teams with any size are going to kill MSU. Overall a good showing but MSU has a long way to go and a tough road ahead.

 

[garddog]

Mississippi State wins big over Alabama State 91-62 in a game that wasn’t that close. ASU was overmatched but MSU played well. Their body language and entire structure of their offense and defense looked better. 18 assists with only 6 turnovers. Based off what I’ve seen to date I like D Carter, R Jackson, J Jordan, An Hayes, and M Taylor starting with R Fairley, C Kohl, A Hayes, and A Jones coming off the bench. Anastasia Hayes and Ashley Jones are both hard nosed aggressive players. MSU does have to find a way to rest R Jackson and A Hayes needs to concentrate on developing into a backup point guard. Further, teams with any size are going to kill MSU. Overall a good showing but MSU has a long way to go and a tough road ahead.

We are in trouble against teams with size. Gave up 22 offensive rebounds. And lost the rebounds battle 50 to 48. Tons of 5'7" ladies, only 4 players over 6' and one didn't play. No idea when Jessica Carter will be back. We will have to outrun folks.

 

[Tonyc]

My cousin Sara Scalia scored 25 pts for Minny. She played against Paige and Azzi is one of her good friends.

 

[oldude]

The Baylor game was the biggest surprise to me. In the past, Baylor would demolish these early season cupcakes. Unlike Kim’s Baylor teams, who could go entire games without taking a 3-pt shot, last night the Lady Bears shot an abysmal 4/25 from the arc.

 

[Jmsdawg]

We are in trouble against teams with size. Gave up 22 offensive rebounds. And lost the rebounds battle 50 to 48. Tons of 5'7" ladies, only 4 players over 6' and one didn't play. No idea when Jessica Carter will be back. We will have to outrun folks.

My take:
Pros 1. Rickea appears to be back, 2. Coach Novak involved and appears to have trust of players, 3. An Hayes appears to be ready to contribute, 4. overall team quickness, and 5.team mates support for each other.

Cons 1. Lack of fans Been a long time since the Hump was not full of loud supporting attendees for Women basketball, 2. Lack of size, and 3. Physically, players other than Rickea got pushed around.

Biggest concerns are lack of fans and size. Lack of fans can be turned around by winning and Jessica Carter will help with size when she returns. Overall I still hope we can improve a lot from last year!

 

[DefenseBB]

My take:
Pros 1. Rickea appears to be back, 2. Coach Novak involved and appears to have trust of players, 3. An Hayes appears to be ready to contribute, 4. overall team quickness, and 5.team mates support for each other.

Cons 1. Lack of fans Been a long time since the Hump was not full of loud supporting attendees for Women basketball, 2. Lack of size, and 3. Physically, players other than Rickea got pushed around.

Biggest concerns are lack of fans and size. Lack of fans can be turned around by winning and Jessica Carter will help with size when she returns. Overall I still hope we can improve a lot from last year!

I watched parts of this game and I was actually impressed with the coach. What became crystal clear in my mind was how in just two years Nikki McCray was able to decimate the aura of the MSU program. The losses, the lack of chemistry, the off-court struggles all led to the eroding of the fan base-again, all in just under 2 years. Yikes.

I was also saddened in watching the ND-Ohio game and the Duke-Winthrop game at their lack of fans. I mean, ND used to be packed so what the heck @Dillon77 ?

For @triaddukefan and @CamrnCrz1974 I know JPM did not make much of an effort at fan support but I thought Kara would have been touting the need and generate buzz but alas, very disappointed in that attendance.

 

[Dillon77]

I watched parts of this game and I was actually impressed with the coach. What became crystal clear in my mind was how in just two years Nikki McCray was able to decimate the aura of the MSU program. The losses, the lack of chemistry, the off-court struggles all led to the eroding of the fan base-again, all in just under 2 years. Yikes.

I was also saddened in watching the ND-Ohio game and the Duke-Winthrop game at their lack of fans. I mean, ND used to be packed so what the heck @Dillon77 ?

For @triaddukefan and @CamrnCrz1974 I know JPM did not make much of an effort at fan support but I thought Kara would have been touting the need and generate buzz but alas, very disappointed in that attendance.

Just heard from a longtime season ticket holder on The Bench. To summarize/paraphrase:

• the heart and soul of ND's women team fan base are senior citizens
• ticket prices have gone up. Given how the Irish did the previous two years, maybe some folks are watching the games before opening their wallets
• ND switched to electronic tickets which can be challenging, particularly if you can't use a ticket and want to give to a friend (used to be able to alert box office and pick up there)
• still need to wear masks indoors
• while students now get free tickets, it's never been a "must see" ticket for what it's worth. That could change, but Niele would have to sell it. Right now, she's concentrating on making sure the product can sell it.

We hardcore fans will take the win to open the season. Next home game is Thursday, followed by first road game and ACC match-up with Syracuse on Sunday.

 

[militarydog]

I watched parts of this game and I was actually impressed with the coach. What became crystal clear in my mind was how in just two years Nikki McCray was able to decimate the aura of the MSU program. The losses, the lack of chemistry, the off-court struggles all led to the eroding of the fan base-again, all in just under 2 years. Yikes.

I was also saddened in watching the ND-Ohio game and the Duke-Winthrop game at their lack of fans. I mean, ND used to be packed so what the heck @Dillon77 ?

For @triaddukefan and @CamrnCrz1974 I know JPM did not make much of an effort at fan support but I thought Kara would have been touting the need and generate buzz but alas, very disappointed in that attendance.

In fairness to Coach McCray-Penson the last year of Coach Schaefer’s tenure it was not as packed as the two prior years. Technically they would still sell out but there were several open seats in the top most games. However it really fell off the table last season.

 

[DefenseBB]

Just heard from a longtime season ticket holder on The Bench. To summarize/paraphrase:

• the heart and soul of ND's women team fan base are senior citizens
• ticket prices have gone up. Given how the Irish did the previous two years, maybe some folks are watching the games before opening their wallets
• ND switched to electronic tickets which can be challenging, particularly if you can't use a ticket and want to give to a friend (used to be able to alert box office and pick up there)
• still need to wear masks indoors
• while students now get free tickets, it's never been a "must see" ticket for what it's worth. That could change, but Niele would have to sell it. Right now, she's concentrating on making sure the product can sell it.

We hardcore fans will take the win to open the season. Next home game is Thursday, followed by first road game and ACC match-up with Syracuse on Sunday.

Ok, I run the numbers as last night the attendance was listed at 4,553 vs. an average of 7,681 in 2019-20 (MM's last year). Not as bad considering COVID. For Duke, they had 2,473.

Here's a list of the last 5 non-covid years for ND, so we can see how this year's team will look.
In 2018-19: 8,434
In 2017-18: 7,767
In 2016-17: 8,104
In 2015-16: 8,437

Now, why the ND leadership decided to raise ticket prices is utterly ridiculous. MMs salary is off the books and Niele is making less than 50% of what MM made. Add in the fact that the team was terrible in MMs last year, why would you charge more without knowing if the commodity was going to be better? Saying the "electronic tickets" led to lower sales is also not a reality. You can transfer the tickets and I doubt the Senior Citizens were trying to "flip" the tickets anyway. Color me skeptical on that.

Overall, last nights number is a slight concern depending on how other programs garner fans. UConn is a bit different considering the expectations but their exhibition had 8,488 at it and they had to wear masks. Come Sunday in Hartford, we will have to wear masks and that might have 16,000.

 

[triaddukefan]

I watched parts of this game and I was actually impressed with the coach. What became crystal clear in my mind was how in just two years Nikki McCray was able to decimate the aura of the MSU program. The losses, the lack of chemistry, the off-court struggles all led to the eroding of the fan base-again, all in just under 2 years. Yikes.

I was also saddened in watching the ND-Ohio game and the Duke-Winthrop game at their lack of fans. I mean, ND used to be packed so what the heck @Dillon77 ?

For @triaddukefan and @CamrnCrz1974 I know JPM did not make much of an effort at fan support but I thought Kara would have been touting the need and generate buzz but alas, very disappointed in that attendance.

Last night's attendance was a bit disappointing, but Duke has never had much of a crowd for Tuesday night games. There was a Heavyweight Duke men's game at 9... so Im sure that cut into the attendance a bit ( one reason I didn't attend). I suspect attendance to pick up through the year.. though our two marquee non-conference games vs Iowa and South Carolina are at less ideal times. A Wednesday 7pm game for the Chickens... and a Thursday 9pm game vs Iowa. I already have complained on that one on the Duke board. Its ridiculous to start a game that late.

I was in attendance for last week's exhibition game, and the crowd was definitely larger than in past years... and there was a sense of enthusiam and excitement for the coming season that you could just feel in the air. Haven't seen/felt that kind of energy in a preseason game in a long time.