Launching 2010 – The Phoenix, travels and those unbeatens

The podcast is up! This is some of what you’ll hear.

Starting Five: Beth throws five questions at Debbie.

1) Reviewing our 2009 Holiday wishes: What would you like — basketball related — for Christmas?

Debbie: I want security to meet me at the game, escort me to my seat.
Update from Debbie: Is anyone listening? Not one offer!

Beth: A buzzer-beater
Update from Beth: Not a buzzer-beater, but the five set Penn St v Texas volleyball championship was pretty good. Yowza Longhorn Destinee Hooker and PSU Megan Hodge

Ponder thoughts: Ix-nay on the baggy shorts-kay?

2) What’s up with the spin-move traveling violations?

Patty Broderick – because 90% are travels. And it’s the Rules Committee.

Deb/Beth: But is it taking points off the board? Is it called in the men’s game? Maybe we should change the membership of the Rules Committee? We need offense on television.

3) UConn just won its 52 in a row: Big question at the beginning of the year was how much will they miss Renee Montgomery? Well, how much are they missing R.M.?

Debbie: Mowins, you could be on their starting five and they’d still beat everybody.

4) Unbeatens: What do we need to know about Georgia and Nebraska?

Debbie: On Nebraska – How much time do we have? Kelsey Griffin! Coach Connie Yori! (Who knows scoring – 42 v Iowa State, but winless as a Nebraska coach) Dominique Kelley & Cory Montgomery deserve attention

On Georgia: Ashley Houts,  Angel Robinson of course, but wowza freshman Jasmine James. Might they win the SEC?

5) Poll Question: Who’s got the best chance  to go unbeaten in conference play? (Or how many will go unbeaten? )

Stanford
UConn
Ohio State
Middle Tennessee
Wisconsin Green-Bay
Xavier

Shootaround Guests: Matt Bollant, head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

B/D: Is your great start a surprise, what with no seniors?

MB: It is. We’ve got great kids – We call it the “Green Bay way” – older kids teach the younger kids what we do, and those younger kids have gotten better because of it.

B/D: Describe your style of play.

MB: Motion offense – post side/open side. We need – and have – kids who can handle the ball and are smart. Our posts can really pass.

B/D: Where do you get your defensive philosophies from?

MB: Working a la Kathi Bennett, but athletes struggled, having learned Borseth’s. So, released it. Two changes made last year: half court trap defense, much better job of pressuring the ball. Really good at forcing turnovers.

B/D: How does your success against in-state foes help your recruiting (Wisconsin, Marquette, Depaul)?

MB: Our top 7 kids all from Wisconsin. Miss Basketball and a sophomore high school kid no one knew about.

S/A: Talk about mood on campus, being ranked and winning streak

MB: We try not to talk about those things. We talk about pursuing excellence. There’s a lot of people in GB who love women’s basketball – there’s been a tradition built.

B/D: R&R?

MB: Play golf — in 40degrees w/ boosters, brothers and coaches. (Future ringer for the Kay Yow golf tournament?)

B/D: Next step for your team?

MB: Teams that are great in the post-season are great in the half-court execution and get stops. We’re relying too much on our half court trap. Have to invest in the defensive end.

B/D: When talking about top 25, more non-BCS teams, non-power conference teams. Why are they worthy of higher seeding giving you a chance to win first/second rounds?

MB: There’s just more good basketball players out there. just more quality players we can recruit. There’s lot of great mid-majors that can win v. BCS teams. Especially if they can play them at home.

Matt the Stat Guy: Statistically Superb Trio w/ 20pt, 10 rebounds: Alysha Clark, Middle Tennessee. Jantel Lavender, Ohio State. Under the radar? Jenna Smith, Illinois.

Wade Watch: Where’s Kelsey Griffin? Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford? Jasmine Thomas, Duke?

Notes from the Cocktail Napkin

• Coaching Milestones: Jim Foster, Ohio State gets #700. Van Chancellor, LSU, #500. (Debbie wants a ride on the Van Wagon!)
• Tennessee Triple-Double: Shekinna Stricklen. Tennessee is getting deeper and thinking Final Four.
• Kansas’ Danielle McCray contending for shooting crown: Back to back 3opt games
• Update on Debbie’s “Jodi Howell free throw bet.” Oh, oh – has hit 43  needs 63. Debbie may have to wear Jodi’s jersey at the Final Four
• CBS game: Jantel v. DeHaan (block record looms), Prahalis assist queen
• Any issues with the Duke all-decade team released? (Beard, Currie, Harding, Schweitzer, Tillis). Shootaround next week – Southern Cal? UCLA?
• Former Wade trophy winners need to get a vote. More power conference coaches need a poll vote. (Beth blows her neutrality)
• Yea for Conference play!

Happy New Year all!

Comments? Questions: Shootaround@wbca.org

Also, if you’d like to be part of the Shootaround “So You Want to be a Sports Journalist” intern program, drop them a line: Shootaround@ wbca.org

Don’t forget: The podcast is up.

The Podcast of 12/9 – Archie Griffin and the Wade Trophy Voting

The podcast is up and this is some of what you’ll hear:

Starting Five: Beth throws Five Questions at Debbie:

1) What’s the most impressive thing about Archie Griffin and why is it important for former Wade trophy winners to get a vote like former Heisman trophy winners do?

2) To what do you attribute all the upsets that happen week in and week out in the women’s game? (Dayton, Wisconsin-Green Bay)

3) You’ve seen Brittney Griner up close and personal, what’s your take? (Podcast Heads Up: Check out Coach Mulkey on Brittney)

4) The All-Time Starting Five – Louisiana Tech:

Pam Kelly
Janice Lawrence
Kim Mulkey
Vickie Johnson
Angela Turner

5) The Pink Hats at Texas v. Tennessee moment. Credit to the young coaches: Kelly Harper, Beth Dunkenberger, Katie Meier, MaChelle Joseph put up the bucks so that Gail and Pat could wear the Pink Hats. Is this the start of a theme?

Poll Results – Looks like Debbie is going to Tulsa!

New Poll Question (vote): Who do you want to take a last-second shot?

Maya Moore, UConn
Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma
Allison Hightower, LSU
Dawn Evans, James Madison
Monica Wright, Virginia

Shootaround Guest: Archie Griffin, 2-time Heisman Trophy Winner

Beth: What’s the best part of being part of the Heisman festivities?

AG: Seeing the former winners. Meeting the new winner.

Debbie: Why do you think it’s important for winners to be part of the voting process?

AG: Integrity of the award. Participation and tradition.

Debbie: When you vote, how much to you weight character?

AG: A great deal. I want someone who’s a good representative of their University.

Debbie: What are the activities you’ll participate in while in NYC?

AG: College football Hall of Fame dinner, Wendy’s High School Heisman award, the announcement of the Collegiate Heisman award winner.

Debbie: Talk about Jantel Lavender – Ohio State’s Wade Trophy candidate

AG: Fabulous player. With Samatha Prahalis, they have a wonderful tandem.

Beth: Just seeeing all former winners at Heisman Show makes me wonder, what would the former Wade Trophy winners get out of participating?

AG: The reunions!

Debbie: Give us a Coach Woody Hayes word of wisdom

AG: The philosophy of “paying forward” – from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Compensation.” He wanted you to be a total person.

Notes from the Cocktail Napkin

• Front runner in Shootaround Shooter of the Year award: Dawn Evans, James Madison. 38pts in victory over Virginia – top 5 in country scoring and 3pointers per game.
• Pay attention to Top 5 scoring/rebounding Middle Tennsesse State’s Alysha Clark
• And what about Elena Delle Donne – 25pts a game for the Delaware Blue Hens
• But remember, Jasmine Thomas at Duke is putting up All American numbers
• And don’t sleep on the young Terps’ Diandra Tchatchouang (our favorite new name).
• What do you make of David Stern’s comments (A woman could play in the NBA)/LeBron rebuttal. Take it as flattery. This is the man who had the vision to develop the WNBA.
• North Carolina – 20 NCCA Soccer Championships in 28 years
• Penn State Volleyball – going for win #99 and #100. In a row. Looking to three-peat?
• World Cup Draw – US v England. Hmm…. England… Olympics. Hey! Beth and Debbie need a summer job w/USA Basketball! Hello Geno? Carol Callan?
• Speaking of Heisman: Beth Votes: Mark Ingram, Toby Gerhart,  Colt McCoy. Debbie votes: Colt McCoy

Next week: Coaches take a breather. Time to talk to some student athletes.

Comments? Questions: Shootaround@wbca.org

Also, if you’d like to be part of the Shootaround “So You Want to be a Sports Journalist” intern program, drop them a line Shootaround@wbca.org

Don’t forget: The podcast is up.

November 18th – Week One in the Books! A visit with Kim Mulkey, Baylor

The podcast is up and here’s some of what you’ll hear:

Starting Five: Beth Throws Five Questions at Debbie

1. Baylor/Tennessee game: Did you learn more about Tennessee or Baylor? And what in the name of Muffet McGraw and Jim Boeheim was that zone defense?!?
2. What impressed you more, Texas A&M’s scoring or Duke’s lack of defense?
3. How significant is Stanford winning the Chiney Ogwumike sweepstakes? What about other recruiting “gets”?
4. What was the highlight of your trip to the Country Music Awards?
5. What do you think was the biggest news out of week one? Tennessee Zone? LSU’s defense? A&M over Duke? Michigan State getting upset by Dayton?

* Check out the A-10 preview to hear more about Dayton and coach Jim Jabir
* A Shootaround Shoutout to Harvard for upsetting Boston College
* Another Shootaround Shoutout to Vermont for upsetting NC State

Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey Drops in for a Visit

B/D: What did you take away from the TN/Baylor game?

• Composure and youth

B/D: How do you manage your on court youth and the outside expectations of the program?

• Talent v. “Good team”

B/D: Growth and potential of point guard Kelli Griffin?

• Leader v. Scorer

B/D: What’s with the Louisiana Tech connection to the Big 12 South? Impact of Leon Barmore on your sidelines?

• Testament to Sonya Hogg,  F.J. Taylor president, Leon Barmore’s early commitment to the women’s game and the Big 12’s willingness to commit resources.

B/D: What’s with the “Millionaire Coaches” in the Big 12?

• It isn’t just the money, it’s the support of the fans.

B/D: Talk a little big about the management of Griner’s transition to the college game?

• No change in my coaching. Biggest challenge is the media demands on her. She’s living her college life

B/D: Your first book was “Won’t Back Down.” What’ the title of your second book?

• “If People Only Knew…”

Notes from the Cocktail Napkin:

• Coaching Milestones: Coach Debbie Ryan gets 700, Kim Arico Barnes gets 200, Michael Cooper gets #1
• Golf: Michelle Wie gets tournament win #1
• Volleyball: Keep your eyes on Penn State volleyball – 92 wins in a row….and counting
• Player game notes: UConn Kalana Green 1000pts, UConn Tina Charles 1000 rbs. Xavier players: 3 double-doubles in win. Old Miss’s Kayla Hollway earns 3rd triple double in school history. 30pt performances: Rachele Fitz at Marist and Monica Wright at Virginia. Nnemkadi Ogwumike at Stanford – almost 50 in first two games.
• New NCAA Study – fewer college athletes are betting on sports because Beth and the “Don’t Bet on It” PSA? Debbie has a suggestion for a NCAA PSA… oh, dear.
• Debbie is Reading TWO Books: One, Final Four Leadership by David Salter, features the voices of eight women coaches with Final Four experiences including Sherri Coale, Tara VanDerveer, Muffet McGraw, Gail Goestenkors, Sylvia Hatchell, Jody Conradt and Brenda Frese.
• Debbie offers her “Notre-damus Picks:” Michigan St. v Notre Dame, Oklahoma v. TCU, Tennessee v. Virginia
• Pregame Warm ups: What’s with the cones and rubber bands?

Check out the podcast.

Comments? Questions? Send them in! shootaround@wbca.org