College Notes
Sue Gunter resigned from LSU due to ongoing health issues. One of the classiest coaches of our time. She fought discrimination because of her sexuality and built a powerhouse program. Pokey Chatman was named as her successor.
Indiana coach Kathi Bennett was selected to coach the Big Ten (11) Foreign Tour Team. STORY
WNBA Notes
Former Fever guard Nikki McCray signed with Phoenix yesterday. Story
Glad to see the Fever's Natalie Williams come out of the closet! She is listed as one of the celebrities for an upcoming voyage on Olivia Cruises. Nice picture of her in the Olivia brochure that arrived at my house this weekend. Way to go Nat!!
Seattle coach Anne Donovan is stressing defense in the Storm's training camp. STORY
Over Coffee
Nell Fortner took over for Joe Ciampi at Auburn. What a mistake! I'm amazed how Fortner continues to skate by in the basketball community despite her obvious lack of coaching ability. She would have been wiser to take one of the other jobs instead of a high profile one like Auburn. Playing in the tough SEC she will get constant ass whippings trying to compete with the elite coaches in the country like Pat Summit, Andy Landers, Carolyn Peck and others. Anyone who has watched Fortner coach knows she is unable to create mismatches, cannot dissect a defense and is poor at identifying her own teams strengths and weaknesses. Poor Auburn! In talking with some of the Fever players, they have no respect whatsoever for Fortner's ability and feel her ineptness kept them from reaching the playoffs last year. I also saw a quote from Alicia Thompson who was not happy with Fortner convincing her to not retire and then cutting her on the day before the season started so she was unable to catch on with another team. So, the watch at Auburn begins! How long until the Auburn AD realizes she is in over her head and finds a suitable replacement? Hopefully, not so long that the Auburn program is left in a shambles that is irreparable.
Take care!
Dar
Big Ten (11) Notes
Erika Valek and Shereka Wright of Purdue will continue to be teammates in the WNBA. STORY
A nice article on Illinois' Cindy Dallas and her selection in the second round of the WNBA draft by San Antonio. Dallas Story
A total of 7 Big Ten (11) athletes were selected in the WNBA draft. STORY
For those who might have missed it, Northwestern replaced former Butler coach June Olkowski with Colgate coach Beth Combs. STORY
WNBA Notes
While some WNBA franchises are struggling, the Indiana Fever continue to thrive picking up a 6 year sponsorship agreement with Galyans. STORY
Over Coffee
Well the draft has come and gone. The Fever selected Ebony Hoffman with their first round pick. Evidently this surprised the experts as much as it did me. Nancy Lieberman gave the Fever the lowest grade on her draft analysis. Draft Grades However, in looking at the Fever roster and the trade that got them here we can look at the situation more objectively. Charlotte essentially got Nicole Powell and Kelly Mazzante with the Fever picks involved in the trade. Indiana got Ebony Hoffman and Kelly Miller. So, is there a big difference between Miller and Mazzante? We don't know yet since Miller has been unable to play significant minutes at the pro level on the Charlotte roster. Let's say this turns out to be a slight advantage to the Fever or, at worst, a wash. That leaves Nicole Powell versus Ebony Hoffman. While Powell is a great talent, I don't think she is the player the Fever needed since they already have Tamika Catchings and Deana Jackson. No, a post player fits their needs. The Fever brass have tried to spin this as that they had their eye on Hoffman the whole time - evidently seeing something in her that the other scouts and organizations did not. So, had the Fever held on to the 3rd pick they would have had their choice of any post player in the draft. Nicole Ohlde and Vanessa Hayden were the highest ones selected. Vanessa would have fit the Fever's team but with the recent foot injury she probably would not play until late summer. I've never been a fan of Ohlde because of her frailness around the basket. So, all in all, I think the Fever did well. A 6'2" post player that weighs 210 pounds does add an air of strength to the team that they have lacked. The wild card in this deal that will determine who helped their team the most is Kelly Miller. If she starts, averages double figures and extends the defense of the opponent with her long range shooting then it'll be a success for the Fever. As it turns out, this will probably be a win-win scenario for both Charlotte and Indiana.
One thing is for sure! The Fever have put Kelly Schumacher on notice! This is her make or break year. It's time for the 6'4" center from UCONN to finally step up and reach her potential or be content to lose her minutes to Hoffman, Astou Ndiaye-Diatta, or rookie Ieva Kublina. Schu has the tools, she just needs to be more aggressive!
I understand the uproar in Minnesota over their teams inability to land Lindsay Whalen. It is so similar to the situation here in Indiana when Stephanie White was drafted by Charlotte even though everyone knew it was best for the WNBA and this franchise for her to come to Indiana. So, I empathize with Minnesota fans, but it isn't the first time this has happened and it won't be the last. In Connecticut they may never get over seeing Diana Taurasi in a Phoenix uniform.
Reluctantly, I renewed my Fever season tickets. The organization called me and asked why I wasn't renewing. I gave them my reasons - non-season ticket holding people being allowed to sit in our section, the poor basketball decisions I felt were being made by Krauskopf, the hiring of a male coach, etc. Then, two days later, I received another call - this one from current Fever player Stephanie White. She talked to me candidly about those situations, it was interesting to see her insights as well, but she sold me on the fact that as former players, if we don't support the current regime then it will surely mean the end of the league. I agree and so I sent them my $1200 check - and I'm glad I did.
Peace!
Dar
WNBA Notes
The Indiana Fever have stated they will look for front court help in Saturday's draft. Article I guess I would hope for Rebekkah Brunson from Georgetown. I only hope they do not select Nicole Ohlde. They have a player just like her already in Kelly Schumacher. I would hope they would go for more athleticism. Here's Annie Myers article breaking down the post prospects. Myers article
WNBA Notes
Mock Draft:
Well, here it is! My mock draft of the WNBA draft this Saturday (1st round) This is actually very fun to do and I enjoy all the "what if" scenarios. Here goes!
1. PHOENIX - Diana Taurasi (Connecticut)
2. WASHINGTON - Alana Beard (Duke)
3. CHARLOTTE - Nicole Powell (Stanford)
4. CONNECTICUT - Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota)
5. NEW YORK - Vanessa Hayden (Florida)
6. SEATTLE - Nicole Ohlde (Kansas State)
7. MINNESOTA - Rebekkah Brunson (Georgetown)
8. PHOENIX - Christi Thomas (Georgia)
9. INDIANA - Kelly Mazzante (Penn State)
10. SACREMENTO - Chandi Jones (Houston)
11. DETROIT - Shemeka Christon (Arkansas)
12. LOS ANGELES - Iciss Tillis (Duke)
13. DETROIT - Shereka Wright (Purdue)
