Women's Basketball 2022-23

Final 

YOUR SALUKIS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 77

THE TEAM FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CRUSADERS 47

Dawgs pull away in the 4th. Jones doesn't get 20. Finishes with 19. Taylor with 19. Mason with 17. We had 13 steals and 4 blocks. Love with 6 dimes, Williams and Jones with 5 each. 

Okay. So I owe the refs an apology after going back and re-watching the game. The intentional foul on Taylor was warranted. She popped the Valpo player in the nose. What I have a problem with was the refs didn't review the play until AFTER Valpo's NEXT possession and the Valpo coach bitching about it. It should have been reviewed then and not 20 seconds or whatever later.

SIU 8-13 (5-7) at Illinois State 17-5 (11-1)

Friday February 10^th, 6:30pm – Redbird Arena

Video Streaming ESPN3

Audio/Radio Saluki Sports Network/Steve FM 95.1

WarrenNolan.com Prediction: ISU-Red -21

 Back On January 7^th…..

…we lost in Carbondale 59-56. We were up 2 with 37 seconds to play after a Q Love three pointer. Paige Robinson, who we had held in check and under her average for the game hit only her second three with 18 seconds left. We had the ball down one with 11 seconds left and had a weird turnover on the inbounds and lost. We were 3-0 in the conference and .500, ISU-R was 2-1 in conference. Since ISU-R has rattled off 9 in a row with the closest win their last game against Murray a 79-73 win in Blo-No. We’ve gone 2-7 since.

Tale Of The Tape:

                             ISU        SIU

PPG                      68.7       71.9      

Pts Allowed         60.3       75.3

FG%                      .421       .416

FG% OPP             .375       .432

3pt%                     .380       .336

3pt % OPP           .279       .357

FT%                       .735       .685

Rebounds            35.4       32.9

Reb OPP              37.3       39.7

Assists                  13.2       14.6

Turnovers           13.0       15.4      

T/O Forced          15.8       18.4

Steals                   6.6         10.4

Blocks                  4.5         4.6

Offensive Rtg     55th       134th

                              100.1     93.9

Defensive Rtg    110th     310th

                              88.2       97.8

Pace of Play        279th     15th

                              68.4       76.6

ISU-Red Dramatis Personae –

5-10 Graduate guard Paige Robinson. She averages 18.5 PPG ad shoots at a .464 clip.

5-8 Graduate Guard Mary Crompton. She averages 11.8 PPG and shoots nearly 48% from three.

DeAnna Wilson a 6-2 Senior Forward who averages 12.0 PPG and 7.7 rebounds.

Mya Wong - ISU-R’s unsung asset. The 5-8 R-Junior Guard averages 7.2 PPG and leads the team in assists and is tied for the team lead in steals.

6-1 Junior Forward Kate Bullman. She averages 6.9 PPG, 6.2 rebounds and 33 blocks on the season.

Robinson is 31^st nationally in scoring. The Deadbirds defensive rating has jumped up 158 spots since our last meeting. Their only statistical weakness is that they rank tenth in The Valley in steals per game well behind our first in The Valley ranking. They are just behind us in blocks and second in points allowed. ISU-Red is #1 in three point FG defense #2 in total field goal defense.

What's Up With Us?

Tamara Nard missed the Valpo game with a concussion – don’t know of her status for Friday night. I was right that Taylor feasted on Valpo’s interior with a 19 point, six block performance. She is putting up Rolan Roberts-esque blocking numbers and is now #8 in blocks per game nationally and #9 in total blocks nationally. Jones is continuing her hot scoring streak as she is averaging 23.5 points per game over the last four games. Freshman Mason had a nice 17 point game. Even though it was Valpo in our last game, defense looked substantially better in that game and the Missouri State game. Interesting line-up change the last two games. We started Taylor/Nard-Randle (due to the Nard concussion)/Jones/Willaims/Mason. Stronger scoring presence and a bit more physical defensively.  We lost to ISU-Red last time because of a crappy third quarter. It looks as if we have corrected that. The Deadbirds’ only conference loss was at home to UNI by 10. I think the -21 line in favor of the Redbirds is a bit of a slap in the face. These games with them are always a slugfest and I think this one can go either way.

GO DAWGS!!!

Haltime...

SIU 39

DEADBIRDS 36

We were down 4 after one. Defense looking pretty good. Fouls are down. 

Jones with 13. Taylor with 8 on 4-5 shooting. 

After 3 

SIU 51

Turdbirds 52

ISU gifted an extra 1.7 seconds at the end of the 3rd hits a 3 to finish the quarter on a 14-2 run. We only had 5 fouls in the first half. Had 6 called on us in the 3rd. (Should have been 8 fouls, refs missed a few.)  ISU only called for 1. 

Crazy finish. The last four baskets made were 3's. Two by each team. Crompton makes a 3 with 2.5 seconds left. Jones makes a 3 after the buzzer. Second time Deadbirds make a late three to beat us. 

SIU 70

DEADBIRDS 73

I HATE LOSING TO THIS TEAM!!!!!!

Jones with 20. Holmes with 15 all on threes including two late to keep us in the game. Taylor with 13. Willams with 10. Redbirds only called for two fouls in the 2nd half. 

Posted by: @rabidsaluki

↑

Crazy finish. The last four baskets made were 3's. Two by each team. Crompton makes a 3 with 2.5 seconds left. Jones makes a 3 after the buzzer. Second time Deadbirds make a late three to beat us. 

SIU 70

DEADBIRDS 73

I HATE LOSING TO THIS TEAM!!!!!!

Jones with 20. Holmes with 15 all on threes including two late to keep us in the game. Taylor with 13. Willams with 10. Redbirds only called for two fouls in the 2nd half. 

 

WE WERE UP BY 11 IN THE 3RD QTR THEN JUST MADE MISTAKE AFTER MISTAKE TO LET THEM COME RIGHT BACK. THAT LAST THREE BY THEM WAS A LUCKY PRAYER. BUMMER!

SIU 8-14 (5-8) at Bradley 3-21 (0-13)

Sunday February 12th 2pm @ Renaissance Coliseum

Coverage ESPN+/Saluki Sports Network 95.1 Steve FM

WarrenNolan.com Prediction SIU -20

 Last Time On Bradley Island….(cue dramatic music)

We jumped out to a 20-8 first quarter lead in Carbondale and didn’t look back. We let up off the gas though in the fourth quarter and only won by 18, 86-65. Caroline Waite led the Bravoyles with 16. We were led by a 25 & 11 Laniah Randle double-double. Ashley Jones had 20 and Q Love had 8 dimes and 5 steals.

The Braves currently sit at 338 NET 332 RPI 170 SOS.

Tale Of The Tape:

                             BU          SIU

PPG                      57.2       71.8      

Pts Allowed         73.2       75.2

FG%                      .376       .418

FG% OPP             .460       .434

3pt%                     .310       .339

3pt % OPP           .370       .361

FT%                       .699       .685

Rebounds            32.6       35.6

Rbds Allowed     39.3      39.5

Assists                  12.3       14.7

Turnovers           14.9       15.1      

T/O Forced          12.6       18.1

Steals                   6.5         10.3

Blocks                  1.6         4.5

Offensive Rtg     291st     131st

                              82.9       94.3

Defensive Rtg    360th     315th

                              108.7     98.2

Pace of Play        285th     15th

                              68.1       76.2

I’m not going to beat down an already beat down team by going through their season stats. Let’s just say their record kinda parallels how they are statistically. Lazy writing, I know, but I’m fighting the flu so gimme a damn break; Okay? They did give MoSt a bit of a scare in their last game, but MoSt shut the Braves down in the fourth quarter en route to a 64-74 loss. The Braves had a one point lead headed into the fourth, but were outscored 25-14.

The Braves Dramatis Personae –

5-4 Sophomore Guard Caroline Waite. She averages 12.5 points per game

5-8 Sophomore guard Alex Rouse. She averages 11.5 PPG leads the team in assists with 62 and 26 steals

Isis Fitch, 6-0 Junior forward leading rebounder at 6.4 RPG and 7.8 ppg.

Ruba Abo-Hashesh – 5-6 Junior guard -  is their assist leader with 69 assists on the season and averages 7.0 ppg

Daija Powell 6-1 forward averages 8 ppg 6 rebounds per game and leads the team in FG % at .420

Four of the five starters average over 30 minutes a game and they have used the same starting five all season

How ‘Bout Us?

Again, on paper this should be a blowout. We have speed, post size (If Nard is back in the line-up.) and more scoring options. But, I’m a bit uneasy about this one. We responded well after the close loss to Missouri State last weekend at home then pummeled Valpo. But that was at home. We should have beat Illinois State. ISU-R coach said in her post-game presser that she has nightmares about Quierra Love and how she’s able to disrupt ISU-Red’s entire offense and she planned her offense around neutralizing Q. Mary Crompton, who hit the game winner, was sitting next to Coach G and she was nodding in agreement. Nice praise coming from the first place team in The Valley standings.

But, even though like I said - I’m a bit uneasy about this one – I don’t think that will happen. I try not to be big on hyperbole, but damn - NyQuil Cold & Flu sure does wonders in loosening up my brain to fingers to keyboard thoughts!

Jones goes for 20+ again, Holmes hits a few threes from the parking lot, Taylor and Randle eat Kaboom! the Bradley mascot, for an early dinner while Q dishes out plenty of assists and Jaidynn Mason not only picks the Braves players and coaches pockets, but all of the fans’ pockets in attendance as well!

GO DAWGS!!!

Wow! Looks like I was pretty loopy last night by what I typed out. 

AFTER 1

SIU 19

GARGOYLES 13

Halftime

Salukis 38

Braves 31

Braves are yet another team that hits nearly buzzer 3 against us. We should be up by like 15. Rebounds are even at 20. I don't get how we don't clobber smaller teams on the boards. But, we are missing 6-2 Nard. Taylor with 8 points 4 blocks. Jones with 13. Randle with 8 boards. 

In a 3rd quarter that seemed to take forever. An intentional foul on Bradley, offsetting technicals and a bunch of other goofy whistles.

SIU 55

BRADLEY 47

And my phone is doing bizarre shit again.

We pull away in the 4th outscored Bradley 28-12. Too much pressure, too much speed for Bradley to handle. 

Final

SIU 83

BRADLEY 59

Jones with 24 and 6 assists. Taylor with a 17 and 11 double-double with 4 blocks. Williams with 13 and 3 steals. Laniah Randle with 9 points and 13 boards. Q with 9 points 5 assists and tons of on ball pressure. 

Bradley has not won an MVC game. They're so bad, even Barkeep feels sorry for them! 😀 

Posted by: @mr_woogers

↑

Bradley has not won an MVC game. They're so bad, even Barkeep feels sorry for them! 😀 

🤣🤣🤣

SIU 9-14 (6-8) vs Belmont 15-10 (11-3)

Friday Feb 18th 6pm Banterra Center

Video ESPN3

Audio Streaming Saluki Sports Network/95.1 Steve FM

WarrenNolan.com Prediction: Belmont -11

Will The Real Belmont Bruins Please Stand Up?

It appears that Coach Bart Brooks has gotten his MVC sea legs under him and his team as the Bruins have won eight in a row which includes a 101-45 ass-whooping of us back on Jan 22^nd. Granted, Belmont hasn’t played an upper division Valley team since the start of this winning streak and won’t until they travel to MoSt on Sunday. In their last six they have to play UNI, Drake, the enigmatic UIC Flames in Chicago and the aforementioned Lady Bears in Springfield. But first up is us. We were not competitive in the first meeting in Nashville. When I first looked at the line on this game a few weeks ago, the spread was Belmont by 25, now it's down to 11. The Bruins haven’t exactly been overwhelming during this win streak – other than beating Evansville by 40 in Nashville, they only beat Bradley by 14 in Peoria when they were favored by 30.

The Bruins currently sit at 87 NET 83 RPI and 77 SOS.

Tale Of The Tape:

                             BEL       SIU

PPG                      69.8       72.3      

Pts Allowed         65.2       74.5

FG%                      .424       .419

FG% OPP             .386       .431

3pt%                     .337       .335

3pt % OPP           .298       .362

FT%                       .692       .685

Rebounds            36.8       35.9

Reb OPP              38.5       39.4

Assists                  13.9       14.8

Turnovers           13.4       14.8      

T/O Forced          13.4       18.0

Steals                   5.4         10.4

Blocks                  3.9         4.5

Offensive Rtg     51           120

                              100.4     95.1

Defensive Rtg    233        306

                              93.9       97.6

Pace of Play        235        17

                              69.2       76.0

The Bruins offensive and defensive ratings have improved dramatically since we last played them. Their offensive rating has improved over sixty spots and their defense has made a nearly one hundred place jump. The Bruins are still in the middle of the pack of most Valley statistics. They are however, 3^rd in FG defense and 3^rd in three point shooting.

Bruins Dramatis Personae –

Destiny Wells a 5-6 junior guard who averages 17.0 ppg (good for 3rd in the Valley just ahead of Ashley Jones) 4.8 assists and shoots .413 from the field.

Madison Bartley a 6-3 Jr F averages 13.9 ppg 4.8 rebounds and shoots 50%.

Sydni Harvey a 5-10 Gr guard that averages 8.6 ppg.

Tessa Miller is their leading rebounder at 6.3 per game and is averaging 6.5ppg who shoots at 54%.

Kilyn McGuff is a 6-0 sophomore guard who averages 8.7 ppg.

What’s Up With Us?

Well – we’ve won two of our last four. Could have been all four with the two point loss at MoSt. and the three point loss at league-leading ISU-Red. The Valpo and Bradley blowout wins are what this team is capable of. Even though we lost by double digits to Drake and UNI we were in those games until the fourth quarter.

Promise Taylor has really been asserting herself lately. She was already a great shot-blocker (I’ll get to that in a minute) but has climbed into second in The Valley stats in FG shooting percentage at 58% which ranks her 19^th nationally. She has 63 blocks on the season which is first in the Valley and eighth nationally. Taylor averages just under three a game which also leads The Valley and is seventh nationally. Ashley Jones' recent scoring has been most impressive. She has moved up to fourth in scoring at 16.8ppg (tied for third in conference only stats at 17.8ppg.) She has one of eight 30 point games in The Valley and has nine 20 point games including five of the last six.

With how we played against Missouri State, Illinois State and our overall play recently, this game could be quite different than the one back in January down in Nashville. I’m not going for a dive off the deep end in the Cool-Aid pool and predict a win, but it would be sweet revenge! 

GO DAWGS!!!