Looking Forward - Lady Shockers BB

[xazshox]

Final Signee

WSU's Jody Adams just announced via Go Shockers that Alicia Sanchez, a 5-9 shooting guard has signed with the Shockers. She was a member of the 2009 National CC Championship team from Central AZ CC.

[wushock]

Eleven players wont get it. That was the problem she said she had this year was lack of players. The way she runs players off we will probably be in the same shape next year

[1972Shocker]

Eleven players wont get it. That was the problem she said she had this year was lack of players. The way she runs players off we will probably be in the same shape next year

Actually, Jody said many times that if you have the right group of players you can win with 9, which I think they did when SIU wons its MVC championship a few years ago. So I don't think she said the problem was the lack of players, but the lack of the right players (read: talent).

It is pretty obvious that Jody did not believe she had the right players to get the job done.

She is selecting and recruiting the talent now and this is really her first complete recruiting class. If she continues to run off players in big numbers I doubt that she will survive over too many more seasons.

From today's Eagle article:

"There's no doubt we have more talent," Adams said. "The speed and athleticism will be the first thing people will see."

[1972Shocker]

Does anyone know if we are going to sign anymore recruits.

My sources tell me to expect news soon.

Looks like Shoxtastic has good sources with the Alicia Sanchez signing announced today.

http://www.kansas.com/sports/shockers/story/813412.html

[The Mad Hatter]

Eleven players wont get it. That was the problem she said she had this year was lack of players. The way she runs players off we will probably be in the same shape next year

Exactly what logic makes you believe that the fact that players who were not recruited by Jody have left the program will have an correlation with the behavior of players recruited by Jody.

Jody and Jane are about as opposite as you can get, and the type of players and personalities they recruit are just as opposite. If you are surprised that most of Jane's players didn't take well to Jody's personality and approach, then you probably haven't been paying much attention.

Maybe players leaving the program will be a long term problem, but so far there hasn't been a single player that Jody recruited that has left, so your assertion is completely baseless.

[Shoxtastic]

It's hard to argue with anyone Jody has brought in. On paper, this would appear to be the beginning of something here that could be special down the line. However, Jane's teams had a knack for being "paper warriors" as well, so I'll reserve judgment until at least the end of next season. We have to remember that this team will be inexperienced in some areas, so there are still growing pains to come. Gregg's second team opened Valley play 0-6. I would not be shocked to see this team in a similar boat before it begins to turn around.

WuShock, you appear to have an axe to grind for whatever reason. If I remember correctly, Jody has said publicly that she will never have a full roster of 15 or more, because its just too hard to keep that many ladies happy. Most of you guys would agree, I'm sure. :) I agree with 1972, it wasn't the lack of players, it was the lack of players that could run her system.

We should also lay off the "running off kids" routine a bit I think. Marisah Henderson finished among the top 10 nationally in assists. Morgan Boyd and Sheena Johnson both appear to be able to run the point. We signed a freshman PG who appears to be, on paper, one of the building blocks of the future. If I were staring at fourth, maybe fifth on the depth chart, I'd consider my options too. I don't think anyone could blame them.

[1972Shocker]

I believe I saw Jacie (and Marcy) at the Shocker game last night.

Jacie seemed to be happy and enjoying life. That was certainly good to see.

I have to agree with Shoxstastic that this group of incoming players looks pretty good on paper, but you just never know and I think they will need at least a year of experience at the D-1 level before we can get our hopes too high. But in 2 to 3 years we may finally have a team capable of winning a MVC championship and making a post-season appearance.

[flyingMoose]

http://www.kansas.com/sports/shockers/story/839568.html

[shocksrox]

that's awesome....great work staff, keep it up!

[Shoxtastic]

Interesting.

If I remember correctly, Indiana State and Missouri State were both freshman heavy last season, and both finished inside the top five. However, both also had solid returners to count on (Luna for the Sycamores and Dwyer for MSU).

The Shockers seem to be setting up for a similar run on paper. I really think Henderson is going to be a go-to type PG this season, and with the apparent upgrade in athleticism, I think she could possibly even see an increase in both of her assist and scoring numbers now that she has some folks that can run the secondary break with her (at least that's what it appears).

I still think it's going to take some time for this team to gel, but once it does, if we could follow the same path of Ind St. and MSU and finish in the 5-7 range, I'd sell the barn to buy stock in this program being a contender sooner than later. It won't be a complete wash if we don't, but I don't think it is far our of reach either.

[1972Shocker]

I have not seen anything official on whether or not Morgan Boyd's remaining eligibility has been resolved. There was some question on whether she had 2 0r 3 years of eligibility remaining.

In looking at the 2009-10 Roster on goShockers.com they have Morgan listed as a Junior. So it would appear that at this point we will only haver her for 2 years. Not sure if that is final or if something is in the works to try and get her the year where she only played 1 game restored.

Has anyone heard or read anything about this?

[Shoxtastic]

IIRC, when Jacie Hoyt was trying to get a medical redshirt a couple of years back it took quite a while. In fact, I was thinking it happened during the season, and her status on the roster was just adjusted after they sent out the release.

Seems like Suellentrop blogged or wrote, or someone else chimed in that summer/early fall eligibility questions aren't necessarily answered in a timely fashion thanks to football and men's basketball taking top dog priority with the NCAA compliance.

I wouldn't take her status on the roster as an end-all, but it would be good to hear that all the paperwork is in and whether or not we really think that she can get that year back.

[1972Shocker]

Recent Twit-Bit from Jody:

Great workout 2day with the players... Great focus worked HARD, and competed! Love to coach that type of player....
12:15 PM Aug 20th from TwitterBerry

[1972Shocker]

Jody likes her initial looks at this year's team:

http://www.kansas.com/sports/shockers/story/950244.html

While we will be inexperienced in terms of D-1 experience and with Jody's system we would appear to have made a good upgrade in athleticism.

Adams can see the start of a team that is deeper and more athletic than its 13-18 predecessor. Start with freshman center Jazimen Gordon. At 6-foot-2, she is WSU's tallest player. She wins races during conditioning. She reminds Adams of assistant coach Carlai Moore, an All-Missouri Valley Conference player at Southern Illinois. Freshman forward Chynna Turner benches 180 pounds.

"When they're out here goofing around, it's fun to see Jazimen Gordon trying to dunk," Adams said. "She can dunk, pretty much, a volleyball."

Whether or not the improved athleticism will result in a better record, especially in MVC play, remains to be seen.

While more athletic the Shocks will not be particurly big. Jazimen no doubt will be counted on quite a bit as a true Freshman. While she apparently is very athletic she is pretty skinny IIRC. Between her slight build and her inexperience she might get pushed around in the paint a little bit.

With good athleticism but not an overly big team it will be interesting to see if Jody tries to go uptempo as much as possible.

[1972Shocker]

This morning's twit-bit:

Heading to surgery with a player that got her nose broke in individuals. She's a tough kid didn't even cry!
about 1 hour ago from TwitterBerry

Ouch! Hate it when that happens. No idea who this happened to but I'm assuming this will not be a major setback (easy to say when it's not my nose) although I wonder if a mask may be in order for this season.