Women's Basketball Outlook/Prospects for 2012-13

[SubGod22]

wow!! awesome news to hear

Know what else is awesome?...

:)

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

wow!! awesome news to hear

Jaz is still sitting out workouts. Seems more serious than just needed rest. I'll snoop around and see what I can find out. We can't afford to be without the 6-2 high flying Jaz.

[1972Shocker]

The Lady Shocks' 2012-13 schedule is out and, like last year, Jody has put together a nice non-conference schedule that will definitely test the Shocks and prepare them for MVC play.

The Shocks have 12 non-con games. A season opeining road games at LSU, neutral court games with James Madison, Richmond and Missouri in the Cancun Challenge during the Thanksgiving holiday, and home games against Kansas State and Wisconsin-Green Bay will be particulary challenging. Wisconsin-Green Bay has had a very fine team the past two years. Saw then at IBA for the NCAA Tournament two years ago. They were a very impressive and well-coached team. WI-GB is a mid-major that has it going in the women's game. The Shocks could very well finish the non-con portion of the schedule at around 6-6.

The Shocks then open MVC play at home on January 3rd against Missouri State who will probably be one of the favorites to win the Valley this year along with Illinois State, Creighton and perhaps the Shocks. The Shocks don't see the Lady Bears again until the final game of the regular season on March 9th in Springfield. 3 of the Shocks final 6 games are on the road at Creighton, Illinois State and Missouri State. So they definitely have a challenge facing them in closing out the Valley regular season.

The goals remain in place, and I think in reach this year (assuming we can avoid injuires to key players):

1. First ever MVC Regular Season Championship
2. First ever MVC Tournament Championship
3. First ever NCAA Tournament appearance

[ShockerFever]

The Valley sure likes putting our teams into the conference favorite's senior nights. I dunno how many times I've seen that done recently. I dunno how many times the boys played at Creighton in the 2000's on their senior nights. Then we played at Missouri State for their senior night to clinch a MVC title. Now this year we're back at Creighton for their senior night. And now the ladies get dealt a game at Springpatch for the last regular season game.

Either the Valley hates us (likely), we never can catch a good break (not likely), or it's all just an amazing coincidence (possibly).


Oh, and it's nice to see KSU women have the bazookas to come down to Koch for a basketball game.

[mumdaddy316]

once we beat ksu women then maybe the ksu men will get froggy and come get beat at koch aswell

[1972Shocker]

Oh, and it's nice to see KSU women have the bazookas to come down to Koch for a basketball game.

They pounded the Shocks 60-34 in Manhattan last year although I don't think the difference in the teams was really that great. In fact, that kind of served as a wake-up call for the Lady Shocks as they went on an all-time best 10-game winning streak following the KSU loss.

The point is though that K-State probably sees little risk in playing the Shockers at this point. If the Shocks somehow pull the upset this year don't count on any return trips from the Lady Wildcats. As a reference point check out how often we have played KSU in volleyball once we became a consistent winner. Maybe they promised Ashia Woods, a sophomore out of Wichita Collegiate that they would come down to Wichita for a game when they were recruiting her. They are coming to Wichita for recruiting reasons and because right now they don't feel very threatened by the Lady Shocks.

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

They pounded the Shocks 60-34 in Manhattan last year although I don't think the difference in the teams was really that great. In fact, that kind of served as a wake-up call for the Lady Shocks as they went on an all-time best 10-game winning streak following the KSU loss.

The point is though that K-State probably sees little risk in playing the Shockers at this point. If the Shocks somehow pull the upset this year don't count on any return trips from the Lady Wildcats. As a reference point check out how often we have played KSU in volleyball once we became a consistent winner. Maybe they promised Ashia Woods, a sophomore out of Wichita Collegiate that they would come down to Wichita for a game when they were recruiting her. They are coming to Wichita for recruiting reasons and because right now they don't feel very threatened by the Lady Shocks.

Won't be much of a threat if Jaz Gordon isn't playing. Just heard the 6-2 Jaz had knee surgery and should be ready for MVC play. Hopefully they don't push her too hard which as been the pattern. All the best to Jaz on a safe, speedy recovery.

[The Mad Hatter]

Won't be much of a threat if Jaz Gordon isn't playing. Just heard the 6-2 Jaz had knee surgery and should be ready for MVC play. Hopefully they don't push her too hard which as been the pattern. All the best to Jaz on a safe, speedy recovery.

That's really unfortunate, especially since we have such a solid schedule lined up and this will make it harder to be competitive. On the other hand, the reality is that Valley teams rarely get at-large bids in women's basketball so facing a tough non-con without Jaz may toughen us up for conference play and we can make a run at a title when she returns.

[1972Shocker]

Yes, that is unfortunate, but TMH makes a very good point. At-large bids are few and far between for MVC teams. Hopefully, everyone else will stay healthy and if Jaz can be near full-speed when she returns we will be a better overall team. I wonder if this was an arthroscopic procedure or exactly what is going on with Jaz's knee.

Hopefully, as OTWHC points out they don't push her too hard. If she can't come back at or near full speed and is open to a redshirt year that is something they should keep open as an option.

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

Yes, that is unfortunate, but TMH makes a very good point. At-large bids are few and far between for MVC teams. Hopefully, everyone else will stay healthy and if Jaz can be near full-speed when she returns we will be a better overall team. I wonder if this was an arthroscopic procedure or exactly what is going on with Jaz's knee.

Hopefully, as OTWHC points out they don't push her too hard. If she can't come back at or near full speed and is open to a redshirt year that is something they should keep open as an option.

Rehab is going well for Jaz. No idea when she'll be at full strength. Typially players come back physically quicker than mentally. I believe she was scoped and the meniscus was repaired. Much easier than ACL, MCL. The girls are getting in shape, but very tired. Grueling workouts and official practice hasn't even started yet. I know at the end of last season, most players said they were beyond exhaustion. I am a firm believer in getting in shape. I also believe in rest and having a well rested team during MVC action.

[mumdaddy316]

yea hopefully coach adams isn't over working her squad

[1972Shocker]

yea hopefully coach adams isn't over working her squad

No problem working them very hard now. I think the key point OTWHC is making is you can't continue that throughout the season. Once play begins, you need to adjust to maintenance mode and preservation of energy mode, especially when you understand the defense intensity that Jody is wanting her teams to play with. That becomes even more important if you do not have a deep team. Not sure what kind of depth we will be able to bring to bear this year, but we know we are very thin at the point and we need to preserve Jessica Diamond's legs and energy in particular.

Last year the Shocks went 8-1 in the first half of the conference season and 4-5 in the second half. Not sure what part, if any, of that fall-off may have been due to being tired/overworked but it is something Jody needs to be aware of.

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

No problem working them very hard now. I think the key point OTWHC is making is you can't continue that throughout the season. Once play begins, you need to adjust to maintenance mode and preservation of energy mode, especially when you understand the defense intensity that Jody is wanting her teams to play with. That becomes even more important if you do not have a deep team. Not sure what kind of depth we will be able to bring to bear this year, but we know we are very thin at the point and we need to preserve Jessica Diamond's legs and energy in particular.

Last year the Shocks went 8-1 in the first half of the conference season and 4-5 in the second half. Not sure what part, if any, of that fall-off may have been due to being tired/overworked but it is something Jody needs to be aware of.

I mentioned quite some time ago about Alex being the 1. It is true. She will run the point like she did in high school. Having a 1 who is 6-0 grab a board and take off on the dribble will be an advantage. Presently the posts are out running the guards. Could be a big running line-up. Jessie will be a 2; good shooting 2. We are presently a good 8 deep with Jaz out indefinitely.

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

I mentioned quite some time ago about Alex being the 1. It is true. She will run the point like she did in high school. Having a 1 who is 6-0 grab a board and take off on the dribble will be an advantage. Presently the posts are out running the guards. Could be a big running line-up. Jessie will be a 2; good shooting 2. We are presently a good 8 deep with Jaz out indefinitely.

I know the recruiting thread is of more interest currently, but, I'm most interested in who we have and how we look moving into the start of official practice very shortly in October. Currently the main six are: (With Jaz being out recovering indefinitely) Jessie, Chynna, Alex, Michelle, Bug, Kelsey and Daurice. Assistant coach Kirk Crawford is a great teacher and very positive and encouraging. A pleasant surprise in Dana Eikenberg, good teacher, explains what she wants, positive. Of course we'll see as we get into the season. I hope the two new recruits pan out. They're playing hard.

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

I know the recruiting thread is of more interest currently, but, I'm most interested in who we have and how we look moving into the start of official practice very shortly in October. Currently the main six are: (With Jaz being out recovering indefinitely) Jessie, Chynna, Alex, Michelle, Bug, Kelsey and Daurice. Assistant coach Kirk Crawford is a great teacher and very positive and encouraging. A pleasant surprise in Dana Eikenberg, good teacher, explains what she wants, positive. Of course we'll see as we get into the season. I hope the two new recruits pan out. They're playing hard.

I know I said six and posted seven players. I said Daurice because she is only playing one year and at times can shoot. I figure there will be times she will be hot at the 3 and we'll need her. I still remember how to count to six :-)