2009-2010 Lady Buckeyes Basketball

[LitlBuck]

This thread will be used to discuss the prognosis for the upcoming season, recruiting, and individual games (unless there might be a vbet) when the season begins. Please remember there is a separate thread for Jim Foster, Jantel Lavender and Samantha Prahalis.

[LitlBuck]

OSU women's basketball: WNIT, trip to Duke on tap
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 3:06 AM
By Jim Massie

The Ohio State women's basketball team opens its season on Nov. 13, with a WNIT game against Eastern Illinois in Value City Arena.

The Buckeyes, the five-time defending Big Ten champions, begin conference play with a home game at 2 p.m. Dec. 6, against Wisconsin. The home schedule also includes a potential match-up against California in the second round of the Buckeye Classic on Nov. 29 in St. John Arena.

Two road tests occur in December with Ohio State traveling to Duke for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 3, and going to Mississippi on Dec. 13.

All-American center Jantel Lavender, a two-time Big Ten player of the year, returns to the lineup for her junior season with sophomore guard Samantha Prahalis, the freshman of the year in the Big Ten last season, and senior guard Shavelle Little, the two-time conference defensive player of the year.

2009-10 schedule

(Time to be determined if not listed)

Nov. 13 -- Eastern Illinois (Preseason WNIT)

Nov. 15/16 -- Chicago State/Bowling Green (Preseason WNIT)

Nov. 17 -- Alabama-Birmingham, 7 p.m.

Nov. 18/19 -- TBA at Ohio State (Preseason WNIT)

Nov. 22 -- TBA (Preseason WNIT championship)

Nov. 25 -- North Carolina-Greensboro, 7 p.m.

Nov. 28 -- Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis, noon (Buckeye Classic)*

Nov. 29 -- California/Southern U., 2 or 4 p.m. (Buckeye Classic)*

Dec. 3 -- at Duke (Big Ten/ACC Challenge)

Dec. 6 -- Wisconsin, 2 p.m.

Dec. 13 -- at Mississippi, 1 p.m.

Dec. 15 -- Wright State

Dec. 19 -- Alabama A&M

Dec. 22 -- Western Illinois, 7 p.m.

Dec. 28 -- at Illinois

Dec. 31 -- at Northwestern

Jan. 3 -- Michigan

Jan. 9 -- at Michigan State, 2 p.m.

Jan. 14 -- Illinois

Jan. 17 -- Indiana

Jan. 21 -- at Michigan

Jan. 25 -- at Purdue, 7 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 -- at Indiana, noon

Feb. 4 -- Iowa, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 -- at Penn State

Feb. 11 -- Purdue, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14 -- at Minnesota, 2:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 -- at Wisconsin

Feb. 21 -- Michigan State, 3 p.m.

Feb. 25 -- Northwestern

March 4-7 -- Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis

* -- Buckeye Classic games in St. John Arena

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU women's basketball: WNIT, trip to Duke on tap

[Ttown]

I know I'm looking forward to another great year for the Lady Buckeyes.

[backabuck]

Ok, this article got me revved-up (again) about Sammy, Jantel and the Buckettes. Football is taking too long to get here and I have too much time on my hands soooo I am going to make a too early and very optimistic preseason prediction on the women's basketball rankings for 2009-10.

If I recall correctly we finished last season ranked ninth, but it seems that the team got a lot of attention nationally (and internationally). The "reasoned" bits of conversation that I have read seem to project us between 4 and 7 in the country. Frankly, going from ninth to fifth or sixth without playing any games seems like magic to me....but in this case, I like it.

My prediction is 4.......behind Ucon (who isn't), Stanford (who waxed us), and North Carolina (top recruiting class & few losses).

Could we hold on to such a high ranking ? ........Maybe.

[Best Buckeye]

The Lady Buckeyes are ranked#3 for this year in the preseason.
Looks like another very entertaining year for we fans.
Bucknuts free.

Big things are expected this winter for the OSU women?s basketball squad.
Two preseason publications, Athlon and Lindy's, have the Ohio State women's basketball team at No. 3 in their respective preseason top 25 rankings behind perennial powerhouses UConn and Stanford.
The Buckeyes will have a pair of top talents back in center Jantel Lavender and point guard Samantha Prahalis. Lavender, who averaged 20.8 ppg and 10.7 rpg last season as a sophomore, took home State Farm/WBCA and USBWA All-America honors last season and also won Big Ten Player of the Year honors for the second-consecutive year. Prahalis was dubbed the Big Ten freshman of the year and led the Big Ten in assists with 5.8 per game.
In addition, the Buckeyes return senior two-time Big Ten defensive player of the year in Shavelle Little. In all, Ohio State returns four starters from last season ? junior Brittany Johnson being the other -- and is coming off a record-setting 2008-09 campaign.
One more reason for optimism is the enrollment of 5-10 guard Tayler Hill, the sister of OSU men?s point guard P.J. Hill. Tayler Hill, a Minnesota native, was rated as the nation?s No. 12 prospect by ESPN.com/HoopGurlz.com in the 2009 class.

[lord vegas]

Can someone tell me what Hills game is like? Just interested in what she brings to the table.

If she's instant O, I think this team will go very far. Last year I always wanted someone else (besides the big 2) to step up and be a threat that demands attention.

[Buckskin86]

Mom led way to basketball success

By JOHN JARVIS • The Marion Star • September 25, 2009

MARION - Shawnt? Dyer received the first letter when she was in seventh grade.

Temple University wanted the young basketball star to keep the school in mind when she graduated from Marion Harding High School.

As Nov. 11, the NCAA early signing date, approaches, Dyer, now a senior, has narrowed her choices to five universities, none being the Philadelphia-based educational institution.

"When I go to college, I want to have a numerous amount of experiences," the 17-year-old said. Planning to pursue a degree in social work, she said she wants to use her experiences to help those she works with.

The universities, trimmed from an earlier field of 12, that remain under consideration are Louisville, Miami (of Florida), Oklahoma, Rutgers and The Ohio State University.

Several factors play into her decision, she said.

"I looked at distance," she said. "That's why Ohio State is in the mix. I also looked at coaches. How long have they been there? Had they been to the Final Four?"

http://www.marionstar.com/article/20090925/NEWS01/381

A choice for charity
Locals can guess where hoop star will go to college and raise money
By JOHN JARVIS ? The Marion Star ? September 26, 2009



Harding senior Shawnt? Dyer is using her search for a college basketball scholarship to help Marion County?s Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way and Black Heritage Council. Folks can vote for one of four schools in the hunt for Dyer?s services by making a cash donation at bluefusion. (The Marion Star/James Miller)

MARION ? A Marion Harding High School girls basketball standout has an important decision to make.

Among other attributes, a 2008-2009 season in which she earned special mention Division I All-Ohio honors, averaging 22.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, has several NCAA Division I universities vying to add Shawnt? Dyer to their roster.

Dyer, the all-time leading scorer for the Harding girls program, has narrowed her choice from a dozen suitors to Oklahoma, Louisville, Miami (of Florida), Rutgers and Ohio State.

She likely will announce her decision on Nov. 11, the early signing date for NCAA women?s basketball recruits.

Marion hoop star using college search to help others | marionstar.com | The Marion Star

[Akron Rick]

[quote=Buckskin86;1550224;]Marion hoop star using college search to help others | marionstar.com | The Marion Star[/quot


If Mom gets her way it'll be Ohio State. Dyer would be a soph starter after Lavender graduates.

[backabuck]

Quote "Last year I always wanted someone else (besides the big 2) to step up and be a threat that demands attention."

You may have overlooked Brittany Johnson. As a freshman she was pretty much lost but I have never witnessed more improvement, sophomore over freshman, than I have with Brittany.....especially toward the end of the season. In the three games of the Big Ten tournament she shot 68% from the floor. Her three point average during all conference games was 45.8%. She went seven for seven vs. Illinois and scored 16 points.

She seems to be even more valued by coach for her athleticism and lock down defense. She will surely start with Jantel and Sammy.

[backabuck]

I watched Tayler Hill in two high school games (taped). I saw her in 6 or 7 summer league games, officiated but, obviously, not coached. Not many observations, I agree, and I am certainly no expert but these were some of my impressions. She is listed as 5'10" but looks to be 5'11", very long arms, can run like a deer and has an excellent vertical. She passes and handles incredibly well for high school....but this is not high school and she must improve in both these areas if she is going to take playing time away from any of the current starters. Her first step is very quick and she loves to slash to the rim....I like this. While doing this, however, she needs to also work on a jump-stop pull-up jumper and not just rely on getting fouled. She starts her standing 3 point shot a little low on her chest, but always seems to get it off. She can get very hot with this shot...other times, not. OSU's is very much a ball-reversal, passing offense with high-low feeds and kick-outs. She must learn when to make one more pass and when to shoot. Her defense must improve quickly if she expects more playing time than the 5 to 10 minutes a game she will get at first.

[LitlBuck]

Pretty good write up on the Ohio State women's basketball team. Covers much more than the starting five.

September 25, 2009
An early look at the Buckeyes

I watched the Ohio State women?s basketball team run drills yesterday afternoon in Value City Arena for the first time since last March.

(I'm also off this week and a little tardy on posting my thoughts. I'm going to start blogging on the Buckeyes and Big Ten women's basketball again as the season nears.)

Anyway, coach Jim Foster and his staff are allowed to work with the Buckeyes for two hours a week from Sept. 15 to the beginning of official practice on Oct. 16. I watched one hour's worth.

Foster smiled at me on the way out of the gym and noted, ?We?ve got some weapons.?

Uh, yeah, it appeared so.

Ohio State won its fifth consecutive Big Ten title in 2008-09 and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before bowing to a big Stanford team. Four starters return from that OSU team including the inside-out tandem of center Jantel Lavender and point guard Samantha Prahalis.

People outside of Columbus and the Big Ten are aware of their presence. Two national magazines - Lindy's and Athlon - have placed the Buckeyes at No. 3 in their preseason rankings behind defending national champion Connecticut and Stanford, respectively.

Lavender, of course, is the two-time conference player of the year and an All-American last season as a sophomore. Prahalis debuted as the Big Ten freshman of the year. Both were integral parts of gold-medal winning USA Basketball international teams over the summer.

Two-time conference defensive player of the year Shavelle Little also returns for her senior season with junior guard Brittany Johnson and senior forward Sarah Schulze probably starting at the other two spots.
Much more

Posted by Jim Massie on September 25, 2009 2:14 PM

Ohio State women's basketball

[lord vegas]

Originally Posted by backabuck

I watched Tayler Hill in two high school games (taped). I saw her in 6 or 7 summer league games, officiated but, obviously, not coached. Not many observations, I agree, and I am certainly no expert but these were some of my impressions. She is listed as 5'10" but looks to be 5'11", very long arms, can run like a deer and has an excellent vertical. She passes and handles incredibly well for high school....but this is not high school and she must improve in both these areas if she is going to take playing time away from any of the current starters. Her first step is very quick and she loves to slash to the rim....I like this. While doing this, however, she needs to also work on a jump-stop pull-up jumper and not just rely on getting fouled. She starts her standing 3 point shot a little low on her chest, but always seems to get it off. She can get very hot with this shot...other times, not. OSU's is very much a ball-reversal, passing offense with high-low feeds and kick-outs. She must learn when to make one more pass and when to shoot. Her defense must improve quickly if she expects more playing time than the 5 to 10 minutes a game she will get at first.

Thanks for the player profile on Hill. What does her handles look like?

[backabuck]

lord vegas, you are very welcome.
Tayler handles well for a freshman. She is tall and long for a guard and thus the ball bounces high. After Shavelle Little has swiped it away from her about 20 times in practice I think Tayler will bring it down a bit. As far as ball handlers go, if Sammy is a 10 then Tayler is about a 6 or 7.......IMHO.

The only thing I saw that will hold down Tayler's playing time, however, is defense. Like most freshmen, she doesn't belly up and annoy people. Instead she stands about 5 feet in front of the ball-handler and casually lifts one arm and waves it as if greeting a passing train. I believe (and hope) that it will take coach Foster only a few weeks to make Tayler just as annoying on defense as the rest of the team.......and that should be good enough to get her more playing time.

Shavelle Little, incidentally, is the best, most effective, and the way most annoying defender I have ever seen at tOSU. I love what she does!

[Buckskin86]

OSU women's basketball: Buckeyes think greatness is near
Friday, October 16, 2009
By Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

At the end of the hourlong session with the local media yesterday, the 14 players on the Ohio State women's basketball team came together to shoot a promotional video to be shown on the scoreboard in Value City Arena.

The energy of the moment immediately started to overflow, like a champagne bottle shaken and uncorked. Three players and then four, five and six bounced in unison. They laughed as the rest rushed to join the scrum and held onto one another in a manner that fairly begged for the new season to begin.

That first game, Nov. 13 against Eastern Illinois in the opening round of the Preseason WNIT, remains a month away. The first full team practice arrives today. Each day between now and then is a bounce along the way to a shared goal.

"We know what we have," sophomore point guard Samantha Prahalis said. "We have talent. We've just got to keep working hard every day."

Prahalis, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, brightened at the mention of competition to come.

"I'm just excited to play already," she said. "I think it's a great group. We all have chemistry. We all get along. It's fun to play with people that you love to get along with."

The Buckeyes enter practice with four returning starters from a 29-6 team and a chance to win an unprecedented sixth consecutive conference regular-season championship.

Three major preseason magazines rank them at No. 3 nationally, behind defending national champion Connecticut and runner-up Stanford.

BuckeyeXtra - OSU women's basketball: Buckeyes think greatness is near

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[TheStoicPaisano]

Can we start the Aleksandra Dobranic appreciation thread?