TTT

2024-2025 Another fine high character Indiana Ladies Basketball season in the T. Moren era, coaching staff, support staff and players led by Chloe Moore-McNeil, Sidney Parrish, Carolyn Striplin….and all those involved with the program. INDIANA UNIVERSITY LADIES BASKETBALL PROGRAM PROUD.

T. Moren was asked about neutral court vs home court in March Madness She stated IU hosted the two previous years. However, thought it was time to have that discussion as game on the women’s side has progressed. My thoughts: Another way to look at it is that it is a reward earned throughout the season. So if you want to host. Win. However, neutral sites would be more fair tournament for tournament purposes.

Chloe Kitts and the third quarter was a killer. IU either won or played even 3 of the 4 quarters.

Elite teams get a call or two or a no call or two make them so hard to beat. S.C. was already on a big run but could be 3 or 4 points closer.

Offensive fouls on Sid Parrish are officially hated. S.C.does not need help. Take away bucket and ft. Instead a foul on Parrish. Plus it takes away some of Parrish game confidence. she gets the bucket plus one could have elevated her game confidence.

Maybe, she can bring back her game like she did vs. S.C. in second half of last year’s tournament.

K.Brooks/Kentucky coach said it well. We were there with 8 minutes to go but S.C. Just subs a 5 star for a 5 star.

Props to Michigan decision makers after 2023-24 season. Well put together and well coached teams are fun and to watch. IU connection

https://x.com/BTNScouting/status/1903295915273884077 has physical game, but not sure she gets off the floor vertically, and how she shoots midrange….some good plays though.

Well IU Ladies have won a couple of them vs South Carolina.

IU Ladies can’t allow several first half plays as they did against UTAH until towards the end….it looked like one of those games that the team that played the least worst was going to win. However, IU Ladies turned it around in the third quarter and played through the fourth quarter for one of their best wins of the year. Third and much of the fourth quarter performance needed vs South Carolina.

Cristen Carter: 2023 Ben Davis High School, Indiana All Star, originally committed to Miami Ohio but coaching scandal led to Butler. At Ben Davis: a couple sectional titles and a regional title while averaging 18 points per game 51% shooting her senior season , school record 355 career rebounds. She is academically inclined….health science and neuroscience and medical school after graduation.

20 wins T. Moren 7-0 game one in March Madness Tournament.

IU Ladies is a 1 to 1.5 favorite vs Utah Ladies. Meeting expectations.

Looking like IU Ladies can guard Utah Ladies now and Looking like Utah Ladies are not able to guard IU Ladies.

Really important stat (especially leveling game at the end) IU Ladies when leading at the half 13 - 3 IU Ladies when trailing at the half 6 - 9 Better play needed/wake up…Parrish needs to play a little possessed. Beware if sleepy play continues throughout the game Utah will pull away with some timely 3 balls.

Going for win number 20

(Not like the IU job) but probably more than one would rationally or irrationally think in given lower level (lack of better way to refer to it) circumstances and situations. Parallels to how do people win a political office or end up in a lot of different jobs

Faith Wiseman 6’4”. Just pointing out that she is available to play a little bit as a sophomore and develop more playing time her junior and senior year. Gracie Merkle is a pass for me as well after reading the article I posted.

Actually, if he/they want both, Woodson and Buckner could have several job opportunities that would pay well surrounding their resumes….. Something many individuals don’t have.

Great example of weaving by elites Pam Whitten and Scott Dolson in the introduction of the new coach.

FEATURED Column | Gracie Merkle has become a liability for Penn State Noah Aberegg | The Daily Collegian Jan 27, 2025 2 min to read Center Gracie Merkle (44) shoots the ball during the Penn State women's basketball game against Rutgers at the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Scarlet Knights beat the Nittany Lions 73-77. Samantha DiCamillo Coming into the 2024-25 campaign, 6-foot-6 center Gracie Merkle was hailed as the biggest acquisition for Penn State. "We are thrilled to welcome Gracie to our Penn State family," coach Carolyn Kieger told Penn State Athletics. "Her dominance in the post is unparalleled.” Merkle led Bellarmine in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage last season – the latter of which she led the nation, draining 70.2% of her shots. Through 12 games, Merkle displayed that success at Penn State, leading the team with 20.3 points per game. Her scoring ranked in the top five in the Big Ten, and Merkle’s play was unstoppable. That was, until the final game of 2024, when she was shut out against Minnesota. With only one field goal attempt in 21 minutes, Merkle was empty for the first time. While she’s found the net in each game since, the Bellarmine transfer hasn’t returned to her early-season level of productivity. Arguably, she’s been worse, and her play has been a liability for the blue and white. Physically, Merkle has all the attributes of a successful center. She’s 6-foot-6 and has the height to out-rebound opponents. She also has a large frame, giving her the ability to work in the paint. However, Merkle doesn’t often out-rebound opponents and her paint play is minimal. When the Mount Washington, Kentucky, native is on the court, she simply stands under the basket waiting for a pass and an opportunity to score. This worked through the first two months as she put up double-digit field goal attempts in nine games. However, teams began scouting how she scored and planned against that, which was highlighted against Minnesota. Double-teamed and denied down low, Merkle hasn’t found another way to score. With her big frame, Merkle has the size to work from the high post and back down defenders to the basket. She has the body to be physical and fight for points – but she doesn’t. Instead, she stands as a liability to the Lady Lions, committing 2.4 fouls per game and 3.2 turnovers per game. When Merkle does occasionally drive, she does so forcefully – too forcefully with her frame. She often commits a charging foul and turns the ball over as a result. The Lady Lions have committed too many turnovers to succeed this season, but Merkle’s frequent dropped passes in the paint have turned what should’ve been easy points into turnovers. Against Rutgers on Sunday, Merkle came off the bench for the first time this season after starting 20 straight games for the blue and white. When asked why Merkle came off the bench, Kieger offered a simple, yet telling answer. “Practice. Whoever practices hard earns it,” Kieger said. Merkle has been seen as one of the slower players on the court, and while her large frame can slow her down, her level of hustle isn’t on par with the rest of the Lady Lions. Some thoughts on Gracie Merkle playing at Penn State.

Thanks Sidney Parrish for redemption of the Hamilton Southeastern connection.

Success is going to be determined by wisely implementing NIL money program to put together a chemical dependent team chemistry that represents all things Indiana mens basketball eliteness and coach it….On and off court. high school age and transfer portal blend recruitment. positive university, community involvement and service representation. Culture and Image….identifiable that is IU men’s basketball in a championship way. Bring some constructive discipline to the 3 ball game.

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