WBB: 2023-24 Non-Conference Games

[ShockTalk]

Damn it....poor start to the 4th period. Akron on a 9-1 run and WSU takes a timeout still 7 plus minutes left in the game. Shocks are going to have to find something....getting the ball to Dani would be a good idea.


Shox hang on by 2.

https://www.daytonabeach.com/event/daytona-beach-classic/50532/

It's amazing some people have jobs #Witchita

[1972Shocker]

Dayton whacked Stetson 75-54 and put up pretty impressive stats in doing so.

27-53 (50.9%) from the field including 9-19 (47.4%) on 3FG plus 12-13 (92.3%) from the line while outrebounding Stetson 38-19. Dayton had 20 assists on their 27 baskets. About the only black mark on Dayton's stats in this game was their 21 turnovers (vs 18 for Stetson).

Dayton's starting line up goes 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, 6-2 and 6-3 while they bring 5-10, 5-10 and 6-0 off the bench. That pretty much give them a slight size advantage across the board vs the Shocks.

The Shocks will have to play a much, much better game tomorrow to hang with Dayton.

[1972Shocker]

Dayton leads the Shocks 18-17 on the strength of the 5-point possesssion in the final 40 seconds fo the quarter. With the Shocks leading 17-13 Dayton scored on a layup whiie being fouled, rebounded the ensuing missed free throw and then hit a 3-pointer.

Both teams played pretty well in the first 5 minutes of the quarter but the final 5 minutes was a turnover-fest as both teams had 6 turnovers in the quarter.

Freshman Salese Blow with 7 points in the quarter.

With 4:30 left in the 2nd quarter Dayton had pulled ahead by 7 points at 31-24. But Salese ralled the Shocks over the balance of the quarter to pull the Shocks to within 1 at 37-36 at the end of the half.

Salese carrying the Shocker offense with 16 points while Dayton's Ivy Wolf, who had 25 against Stetson on 8-11 treys, has 13 for the Flyers including 3-4 on treys.

[WuDrWu]

Firing up every 3 we see and getting slaughtered on the boards is probably not going to end well for the Shocks today.

Lucky to only be down 3 at the media TO being out rebounded 10-2 in the quarter so far.


The trend continued with the last 1:19 being as brutal as basketball can get. Shocks give up an 8-0 run in a little over a minute to go down 12 at the quarter.

18-5 on the boards in the QUARTER. Dayton abusing us inside with 16 points in the paint in the 3rd. It's difficult to be that bad.

[1972Shocker]

Firing up every 3 we see and getting slaughtered on the boards is probably not going to end well for the Shocks today.

Lucky to only be down 3 at the media TO being out rebounded 10-2 in the quarter so far.

Dayton exerting their size advantage in the 3rd quarter outrebounding the Shockers 18-5 in the 3rd quarter and helped by the Shocks shooting 4-13 (2-6) from the field and 2-6 from the line and Dayton has extended its lead to 12 points at 60-48 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Now the Shocks may have to continue jacking up 3 pointers is far from one of their strengths.

[WuDrWu]

Shocks get a 3 and an and 1 to cut the lead to 6, but a Dayton miss, o board, bucket, steal, layup, WSU miss, layup and it's back to 12. Timeout Shocks.

If they are to have a chance, many things are going to have to break their way in the final 6 minutes. Shocks are going to have to make close to everything, and yet I don't know how they can stop Dayton because they can't rebound a lick.

21-5 rebound advantage in the half for Dayton.

Shocks cut it to 8 out of the timeout but after a Dayton miss, yet another O board leads to Jobe's 3rd foul. Shocks get a steal but Jobe misses on the break and Dayton gets the rebound. That probably seals the deal for the Flyers. Shocks tried to be competitive, but you just can't give up that many offensive boards and expect to beat anyone.

50-27 on the boards for the game. 74-63 Final.

[1972Shocker]

50-27 on the boards for the game.

31-11 in the 2nd half in which the Shocks shot 32% from the field and 60% from the line. Actually, the Shocks were fortunato to have only lost by 11.

My early on assessment and outlook for the Lady Shocks at the mid-point of the non-con season:

So far the Shocks are performing pretty much in line wtih my expectations coming in to the year. Replacing Trajata, Jane, Curtessia, and Shamaryah in the starting lineup was going to be problematic at best plus the one returning starter, DJ, has been operating at about 75% at most while nursing a knee injury.

The only size you have are Ella and Sophia, both listed at 6-4, but neither or whom are significant contributors. Ella is a legit 6-4 and is a terrific young lady and a great teammate to have as one of your deep reserves. But IMO she has average D-II talent. Sophia might be closer to 6-3 but has not shown me anything to change my opinion from the time she signed with the Shocks which was that she looked like a project. I think both Ella and Sophia lack the athleticism to be significant contributors at the D-I level.

That leaves Daniella (6-0), Jayla Murray (6-1) and Ornella Niankin (6-1) to cover the front court and Ornellla looks closer to 5-11 to me than 6-1. Jayla only played 8 games last year before a season ending knee injury after a pretty solid freshman year at Florida Southwestern State (Juco).

Outside of the hobbled DJ, their is very little D-I playing experience on this team with a first year head coach and aa relatively inexperienced group of assistant coaches.

So not surprising to expect some growing pains from this team and at times they will simply be overmatched.

Somewhat disappointing to me is the play of Tre'zure although part of that may be due to her being over-hyped by the program. HCTN told her she needed to be more selffish and to hunt her shots and focus less on facilitatng teammates. She appears to have taken that to heart. While she leads the Shocks in scoring with 82 points in 6 games (13.7 ppg/0.43 ppmp) she has taken 99 shots and 18 free throws to get there while shooting 32.3%/18.4%/61.1%.

DJ, who admittedly has been playing on 1.5 legs so far this year, has 56 points (9.3 ppg/0.33 ppmp) on 55 shots adn 22 free throws while shooting 32.7%/28.6%/63.6%.

Coming in to the season I thought the the key to any success for the Shocks would be the play ot Tre'zure and DJ. But so far neither of the 5th year seniros have been very efficient with DJ not being close to 100% healthy. Hopefully, that will turn around to some degree moving forward.

OTOH I am pretty pleased with the performance of sophomore Daniella Abies and true freshman Salese Blow.

Daniella at 6-0 is undersized in the post but is pretty strong and pretty athletic. She is close behind Tre'zure in total scoring with 76 points (12.7 ppg/046 ppm) on 50 shots and 25 free throw while shooting 63%/64%. Dani is also far and away the Shocks best rebouneder. If she was 6-2 or 6-3 she would be a problem for opposing teams to deal with.

Salese is an upsized scoring guard/wing at 5-11. I describe her as a scoring guard and not a shooting guard because she really doesn't have a great looking stroke, but she does have an ability to score the ball. The proverbial maker vs a shooter. Salese has scored 70 points (11.7 ppg/.50 ppmp) on 55 shots and 26 free throws while shooting 41.8%/27.8%/73.1%. A pretty decent start for the true freshman who should continue to improve. It would be nice to see Salese grab more than 1 rebund per game at her size.

Overall, the Shocks are shooting 41.1%/24.3%/62.1%. The Shocks are being outrebounded 42.5 to 33.8 which is not too surprising considering their size challenges. They are offsetting that disadvantage somewhat by turning it over 15 times per game to 19.3 times per game by their opponents so far. The Shocks need to pick up the pace of their shooting on 3-pointers and free throws. They need to get those up to 28% and 70%. Whether they have that in them remains to be seen..The only player shooting more than 28.6% from 3-point range is jeniah Thompson but that is on a low volume making 4-9 over 5 games.

I still have the Shocks going 6-6 in the non-con based on their schedule. How they might fare in AAC play is hard to say at this point. I don't think the AAC will be all that strong conference-wise this season. However, the Shocks most likely will finish in the bottom 5. So what I am looking for this season is signs that HCTN and staff can game plan and develop players, especially those players who can return and contribute next year, although that is not a big group: Raissa Nsabua,Ornella Niankan, Jayla Murray, Daniella Abies,and Salese Blow.

6-1 Senior Sierra Morrow, the transfer from North Iowa CC, Cowley County CC, Bradley and Miami (OH) will join that group next year. I'm thinking it is a positive she had to sit out this year.

So far HCTN has inked 3 guards for next season:
True Freshman Kiyleyahh (K.P.) Parr - 5-5 point guard out of the Waco, Texas area.
2-Yr Juco Transfer Kyleigh Ortiz - 5-6 shooting guard via Cowley CC.
2-Yr Juco Transfer Princess Anderson - 5-7 shooting guard via Pratt CC.

So these 3 guards look to be the replacements for the 5-7 Jobe, the 5-8 McCarrty and the 5-9 Thompson. So the Shocks will actually be getting a little smaller at the guard position. OTOH, Ortiz shot 37.7% from 3 last year and is at 35.2% through 8 games this year while averaging about 7.5 three-point attempts per game and Anderson 33.8% from 3 last year and is at 46.2% through 7 games this year while averaging about 7 three point attempts per game. So hopefully these 2 will give the Shocks' perimeter scoring a boost next year if, at 5-6 and 5-7, they can find open looks.

So counting the 5 key potential returning players, Sierra Morrow, the 3 recruits plus 4 other little used deep reserves eligible to return next year then HCTN has 13 scholarships committed if everyone returns and 2 scholarships remaining for next year plus any scholarships that might open up due to players who decide to transfer. My wish list for the transfer portal hunting season would be for an experienced point guard and a reletively athletic forward in the 6-2 to 6-3 neighborhood.

[1972Shocker]

Checked up on how Jane Asinde is doing at UTEP and how Shamaryah Duncan is doing at North Texas.

The long, athletic, 6-2 Asinde did not play in UTEP's season opener against D-II Western New Mexico, which the Miners won easily. She has started all 5 of UTEP's D-1 games and is leading them in scoring and rebounding at 18.4 ppg and 10.8 rpg while averaging 32 mpg. UTEP is 2-3 in those games. Obviously, Jane's decision to follow Keitha Adams to UTEP left big hole in the Shockers' lineup. This year is Jane's final year of eligibility.

5-11 Sham Duncan is starting for 6-1 North Texas (including a win over NAIA UNT-Dallas) against a so-so schedule. Sham is averaging averaging 4.1 ppg and 2.0 rpg playing an average of 18 mpg. So even though she is starting she is 7th on the team in minutes. She probably would be playing a bigger role at WSU and she would certainly be one of the Shocks' best defensive players. Since she did not follow Keitha her primary reason for transferring may have been to get closer to her hometown of Waco, Texas. I think Sham has her extra Covid year of eligibility remaining if she wants to play next year.

None of the 3 foreign recruits that followed Keitha to UTEP are doing much especially the 6-3 juco post, Mariama Sow, who has only played a total of 12 minutes on the season so far.

[ShockTalk]

Checked up on how Jane Asinde is doing at UTEP and how Shamaryah Duncan is doing at North Texas.

The long, athletic, 6-2 Asinde did not play in UTEP's season opener against D-II Western New Mexico, which the Miners won easily. She has started all 5 of UTEP's D-1 games and is leading them in scoring and rebounding at 18.4 ppg and 10.8 rpg while averaging 32 mpg. UTEP is 2-3 in those games. Obviously, Jane's decision to follow Keitha Adams to UTEP left big hole in the Shockers' lineup. This year is Jane's final year of eligibility.

5-11 Sham Duncan is starting for 6-1 North Texas (including a win over NAIA UNT-Dallas) against a so-so schedule. Sham is averaging averaging 4.1 ppg and 2.0 rpg playing an average of 18 mpg. So even though she is starting she is 7th on the team in minutes. She probably would be playing a bigger role at WSU and she would certainly be one of the Shocks' best defensive players. Since she did not follow Keitha her primary reason for transferring may have been to get closer to her hometown of Waco, Texas. I think Sham has her extra Covid year of eligibility remaining if she wants to play next year.

None of the 3 foreign recruits that followed Keitha to UTEP are doing much especially the 6-3 juco post, Mariama Sow, who as only played a total of 12 minutes on the season so far.

The 3 games they have won does not say much either. They only beat the Roos by 2 at home and KC is 2-5 right now. They also beat TAMU-Kingsville by 8 at home and the win over W New Mexico was also on UTEP's court. Don't know where UTEP would be without Jane and her team leading scoring (18.4) which is just more than 7 better that the second leading scorer and leading them in rebounding (10.8) by just over 2 per game over #2 and 6.5 more than their 3rd leading rebounder.

[1972Shocker]

Parity continues to be elusive for Women's college basketball. South Florida, the team favored to win the AAC this yea to their credit plays probably the toughestd non-con schedule among AAC teams. On Satruday they lost to #12 Texas 76-44. On the face of it that is not a total wash out by USF. But at the end of 3 quarters Texas led 64-20 before calling the dogs off.

Tulsa, picked to finish 7th in the AAC, played #25 Mississippi State today who either didn't or couldn't call of the dogs as they cruised to a 102-58 win over the Golden Hurricane.

[1972Shocker]

[1972Shocker]

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA (3-3) vs. WICHITA STATE (3-3)
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 | 6 p.m. CT
Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena
TV: ESPN+ (Shane Dennis and Denning Gerig
Radio: GoShockers.com/Listen with Steve Strain

SCOUTING SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
> Southeastern Louisiana (3-3) wins were over 2 NAIA treams and 1 D-III team. The 3 losses are to #21 Mississippi State 46-67 on the road, and at home to #7 LSU 50-73 and Jackson State 54-63.
> Two Lions are averaging double-digit scoring with Cheyanne Daniels leading the team with 13 points per game and Hailey Giaratano averaging 11.5 points per game.
> Daniels and Giaratano are the team's leading rebounders, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game.
> Southeastern Louisiana is ranked top 25 in three defensive categories, sitting at eighth in the nation in three-point percentage defense (20.5), 18^th in scoring defense (51.7) and 21^st in field goal percentage defense (33.1).
> Southeastern Louisiana was picked to win the Southland Conference after winning both the regular season and conference tournament a season ago.

https://goshockers.com/news/2023/11/...na-nov-28.aspx

---

Not quite sure what to make of this team. The defensive stats, assuming they inlcude the 3 wins over Milsaps, Southern-New Orleans and Mobile, aren't very useful.

Losing to #7 LSU bu 23 and #21 Mississippi State by 21 is not all bad i considering the lack disparity in talent in WBB.

Southeastern i picked to win th Southland Conference.

Should be a Shocker win gut perhaps not a slam dunk.

[1972Shocker]

Southeastern Louisiana looks like they have a pretty significant size advantage in the post.

Slow start for both teams with SeLa leading 9-7 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Shocks are 3-12 from the field including 0-6 on three pointers and 1-2 from the line. The Shocks have 6 turnovers to 4 for SeLa.

Both teams continued to scuttle along with the game tied at 18-18 with 3 minutes left in the half but SeLa started knocking down some shots and closed the half on an 8-0 run to take a 26-18 lead.

Give SeLa credit they played pretty solid defense in the first half. The Shocks 3 main post options, Abies, Murray and Niankan were 1-4 from the field with Dani Abies getting only 2 points on 2 free throws. If the Shocks have to rely on their outside shooting for a living they are in trouble. The Shocks were 7-25 (28%) in the half inlcuding 1-10 on 3 pointers. Shocks 3-4 from the line.

SeLa is shooting 44% from the field including 1-4 on 3 pointers. SeLa 1-2 from the line.

SeLa with 18 rebounds to 16 for the Shocks. The Shocks have 10 turnovers to 7 for SeLa.

I would like to say the Shocks played poorly in the half but they were a couple of notches below poor.

SeLa doubles up on their lead in the 3rd quarter leading 46-30. More of the same from the Shocks.

It just got worse in the 4th quarter with the Shocks only managing 6 points. Final: SeLa 64 - WSU 36.

SeLa just absolutely shut the Shocks down with their defensive effort and the Shocks had no answers. SeLa was excellent at keeping the Shocks in front of them and their help defense was very good also. The Shocks had no answers expecially when the couldn't throw it in the ocean.

Shocks finished the game shooting 21.8% from the field including 1-18 (5.6%) on 3 pointers and they were 11-19 (57.9%) from the line.

The Shocker were outrebounded 39-33 and made 16 turnovers to 13 for SeLa.

The Shocks were outplayed and outcoached in every way, shape and form.

We'll see how the Shocks respond to being taken to the wood shed but this team may have been exposed tonight. There really wasn't anything redeeming from this game to hang your hat on.

[WstateU]

Getting taken out back to the woodshed… yikes!

[ShockTalk]

Getting taken out back to the woodshed… yikes!

Not a good sign.