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From what I can tell Loyola is still conducting their investigation of Sheryl Swoopes who maintains she will be vindicated. Even if she is retained her Loyola coaching record after next season will be around 31-92. So in any case she you wouldn't think too much of her long-term prospects which doesn't help recruiting.
From what I can determine the only players returning next year are Freshman reserves 5-11 Brandi Segars and 5-9 Citiana Negatu. So Loyola will be looking to replace 96.6% of its scoring, 97.0% of its rebounding and 95.2% of minutes played. At this point those two will be joined by 3 freshman recruits that signed this past November who are reportedly still committed to Loyola. A 5-6 guard, a 5-7 guard and a 6-1 forward.
There is only 1 week remaining in the late signing period so at this point the pickings have to be very slim indeed for adding additional D-1 quality players.
Loyola's top two players, Taylor Manuel and Taylor Johnson are transferring to Ole Miss and Louisville, respectively, both as graduate transfers.
In addition, to the 10 players leaving the team this year, 5 players transferred last year and 4 assistant coaches and 2 DOBOs have also moved on (either dismissed by Swoopes or left voluntarily).
Loyola's average attendance last year was 366 and that team was by far the best in Swoopes' 3 years at Loyola. I suppose it is possible they could beat that next year because people do like to check out a good car wreck. And this would seem to qualify.
Very good chance that Loyola, assuming they field a team next season, may very well occupy the very bottom of the RPI rankings (#349) next year although Mississippi Valley State was pretty horrible last year and Evansville wasn't that far off ranking at #330 edging out Illinois State at #322 for the Valley's worst women's program. The Lady Shocks weighed in at #302 and Bradley barely escaped the 300's at #299.
I expect the Lady Shocks to be much improved next year. Bradley may be slightly better. Not sure that Illinois State will be any better. Of the top 5 teams in the conference next year only 2nd place Drake would seem to have prospects to be improved. MSU, UNI and SIU are all losing a lot and, of course, 5th place Loyola appears to be poised to plummet to the bottom of the D-1 heap. 6th place Indiana State graduated their only double digit scorer from this past season.
Hard to see how the Shocks won't be able to make a strong move up a what looks to be a quite weak Valley ladder. The Valley ranked 20th out of 32 conferences this past season. I am quite dubious they will be that high next season.
So far the Shockers have had no roster defections. That is a good sign that the program has stabilized I believe.
From what I can determine the only players returning next year are Freshman reserves 5-11 Brandi Segars and 5-9 Citiana Negatu. So Loyola will be looking to replace 96.6% of its scoring, 97.0% of its rebounding and 95.2% of minutes played. At this point those two will be joined by 3 freshman recruits that signed this past November who are reportedly still committed to Loyola. A 5-6 guard, a 5-7 guard and a 6-1 forward.
There is only 1 week remaining in the late signing period so at this point the pickings have to be very slim indeed for adding additional D-1 quality players.
Loyola's top two players, Taylor Manuel and Taylor Johnson are transferring to Ole Miss and Louisville, respectively, both as graduate transfers.
In addition, to the 10 players leaving the team this year, 5 players transferred last year and 4 assistant coaches and 2 DOBOs have also moved on (either dismissed by Swoopes or left voluntarily).
Loyola's average attendance last year was 366 and that team was by far the best in Swoopes' 3 years at Loyola. I suppose it is possible they could beat that next year because people do like to check out a good car wreck. And this would seem to qualify.
Very good chance that Loyola, assuming they field a team next season, may very well occupy the very bottom of the RPI rankings (#349) next year although Mississippi Valley State was pretty horrible last year and Evansville wasn't that far off ranking at #330 edging out Illinois State at #322 for the Valley's worst women's program. The Lady Shocks weighed in at #302 and Bradley barely escaped the 300's at #299.
I expect the Lady Shocks to be much improved next year. Bradley may be slightly better. Not sure that Illinois State will be any better. Of the top 5 teams in the conference next year only 2nd place Drake would seem to have prospects to be improved. MSU, UNI and SIU are all losing a lot and, of course, 5th place Loyola appears to be poised to plummet to the bottom of the D-1 heap. 6th place Indiana State graduated their only double digit scorer from this past season.
Hard to see how the Shocks won't be able to make a strong move up a what looks to be a quite weak Valley ladder. The Valley ranked 20th out of 32 conferences this past season. I am quite dubious they will be that high next season.
So far the Shockers have had no roster defections. That is a good sign that the program has stabilized I believe.
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