Miss. State Women's Basketball Recruiting

[jdelta02]

jdelta02, you are probably the biggest MSU WBB on this board. How do you truly feel about NMP? I know you are taking the patient approach, and I applaud you for that. I probably should be more patient. But just your hunch right now, how do you feel? I am very concerned. Its the effort and attitude more than the actual losses for me.

On the surface of things (at this point)....
Coach McCray Penson's first season at Miss. State currently may or may not look overly successful or promising on the court..still, lets stay positive, support her, support the team and players, support the program. As for me.. continue to believe, support.

Quite a few of the same tendencies with some of these players coud be seen on the court during the World University Games while coached by Coach Schaefer and his staff...transition defense issues, players standing..looking at opponents make layups, not closing out on shooters, constanly being out of position, constantly not blocking out, switching issues, ect. As a team appeared very slow to react defensively (including reaction time). Though, Jasmine Holmes available helped a lot. Very much frustrated Coach Schaefer..even into the 2019-20 season. Remember Blair Schaefer speaking on some of these issues last season. Having Jordan Danberry last season helped cover up for a good bit of the issues with the younger players. Also Chloe Bibby, and additional leadership off the bench with Andra Espinoza-Hunter. Also, Coached Schaefer pressed much more (utilizing his small quick guards) last season, especially having the ultra quick Danberry to lead the pressure. Team was one of the top in the nation in forced turnovers/turnovers per game last season. Lack of a dominant press, pressure defense this season is a big key to results on the court as well. In the recent past that has been a key team strength with Miss. State's small, quick guards. Without a dominant press (including extended duration and energy)..team being exposed a lot more this season. Also, coaching staff will need to continue to learn and adjust...continue to grow.

[ZedFedder]

Great response. Thank you. I am still concerned, but I will be more patient moving ahead.

On the surface of things (at this point)....
Coach McCray Penson's first season at Miss. State currently may or may not look overly successful or promising on the court..still, lets stay positive, support her, support the team and players, support the program. As for me.. continue to believe, support.

Quite a few of the same tendencies with some of these players coud be seen on the court in the World University Games last summer while coached by Coach Schaefer and his staff...transition defense, players standing..looking at opponents make layups, not closing out on shooters, constanly being out of position, constantly, not blocking out, switching issues, ect. As a team appeared very slow to react defensively (including reaction time). Having Jasmine Holmes available helped a lot though. Remember Blair Schaefer speaking on some of these issues last season. Having Jordan Danberry last season helped cover up for a good bit of the issues with the younger players. Also Chloe Bibby, and additional leadership off the bench with Andra Espinoza-Hunter. Also, Coached Schaefer pressed much more (utilizing his small quick guards) last season, especially having the ultra quick Danberry to lead the pressure. Team was one of the top in the nation in forced turnovers/turnovers per game last season. Lack of a dominant press, pressure defense this season is a big key to results on the court as well. In the recent past that has been a key, team strength with Miss. State's small, quick guards. Without a dominant press (including extended duration and energy)..team being expised a lot more this season. Also, coaching staff will need to continue to learn and adjust...continue to grow.

[99jc]

On the surface of things (at this point)....
Coach McCray Penson's first season at Miss. State currently may or may not look overly successful or promising on the court..still, lets stay positive, support her, support the team and players, support the program. As for me.. continue to believe, support.

Quite a few of the same tendencies with some of these players coud be seen on the court in the World University Games last summer while coached by Coach Schaefer and his staff...transition defense, players standing..looking at opponents make layups, not closing out on shooters, constanly being out of position, constantly, not blocking out, switching issues, ect. As a team appeared very slow to react defensively (including reaction time). Having Jasmine Holmes available helped a lot though. Remember Blair Schaefer speaking on some of these issues last season. Having Jordan Danberry last season helped cover up for a good bit of the issues with the younger players. Also Chloe Bibby, and additional leadership off the bench with Andra Espinoza-Hunter. Also, Coached Schaefer pressed much more (utilizing his small quick guards) last season, especially having the ultra quick Danberry to lead the pressure. Team was one of the top in the nation in forced turnovers/turnovers per game last season. Lack of a dominant press, pressure defense this season is a big key to results on the court as well. In the recent past that has been a key, team strength with Miss. State's small, quick guards. Without a dominant press (including extended duration and energy)..team being expised a lot more this season. Also, coaching staff will need to continue to learn and adjust...continue to grow.

why cant you say what we all know....she is a 17ing bust and a joke of a coach. it doesn't take a whole season to figure it out.. worse hire than Moorhead and on par with rick ray.

[R2Dawg]

On the surface of things (at this point)....
Coach McCray Penson's first season at Miss. State currently may or may not look overly successful or promising on the court..still, lets stay positive, support her, support the team and players, support the program. As for me.. continue to believe, support.

Quite a few of the same tendencies with some of these players coud be seen on the court during the World University Games while coached by Coach Schaefer and his staff...transition defense issues, players standing..looking at opponents make layups, not closing out on shooters, constanly being out of position, constantly not blocking out, switching issues, ect. As a team appeared very slow to react defensively (including reaction time). Though, Jasmine Holmes available helped a lot. Very much frustrated Coach Schaefer..even into the 2019-20 season. Remember Blair Schaefer speaking on some of these issues last season. Having Jordan Danberry last season helped cover up for a good bit of the issues with the younger players. Also Chloe Bibby, and additional leadership off the bench with Andra Espinoza-Hunter. Also, Coached Schaefer pressed much more (utilizing his small quick guards) last season, especially having the ultra quick Danberry to lead the pressure. Team was one of the top in the nation in forced turnovers/turnovers per game last season. Lack of a dominant press, pressure defense this season is a big key to results on the court as well. In the recent past that has been a key team strength with Miss. State's small, quick guards. Without a dominant press (including extended duration and energy)..team being exposed a lot more this season. Also, coaching staff will need to continue to learn and adjust...continue to grow.

Delta I love your optimism but sometimes we got to call a spade a spade. This is a disaster.

One thing you forgot to mention was how she was going to deal with talent transfer loss after the season? It really doesn't matter how good she recruits if nothing else happens. We got best talent the program has ever had right now.

[DeltaChicagoDog]

In terms of basketball knowledge, I have no idea how good or bad of a coach NMP is. That said, the results this season speak volumes. jdelta02, what are your thoughts on the job Coach NMP did at Old Dominion? Looking at their record during her tenure, they showed dramatic improvement after a poor year 1. What was the combination/ratio of coaching vs talent/returning experienced players that led to the turnaround at Old Dominion?

[jdelta02]

In terms of basketball knowledge, I have no idea how good or bad of a coach NMP is. That said, the results this season speak volumes. jdelta02, what are your thoughts on the job Coach NMP did at Old Dominion? Looking at their record during her tenure, they showed dramatic improvement after a poor year 1. What was the combination/ratio of coaching vs talent/returning experienced players that led to the turnaround at Old Dominion?

Coach McCray-Penson
Old Dominion (3 seasons)
53-40 overall
2019-20 season...24-2, 14-4
2018-19 season...21-11, 10-6
2017-18 season...8-23, 6-10, Team had a big drop off in wins and losses (compared to the previous season before she arrived) in her first season. 2016-17 season (the season before she arrived...17-14, 11-7)


- 2018-19 (noted as having had the 7th youngest roster in the NCAA)

- Big drop off in the team's wins and losses her first season at Old Dominion compared to the previous season before she arrived. Picked things up dramatically over the next 2 seasons. Added Coach Keith Freeman to her staff as the associate Head Coach 2018-19, this..through the 2019-20 season as well. Freeman's an outstanding coach (including former head coaching positions), very experienced, and his career, his record speaks for it's self. My opinion..he was a huge catalyst to helping Coach McCray-Penson really get the program moving. Also, Brittany Young, especially in recruiting. That, bringing in additional players, and more time coaching up the current players that were there, learning, staff changes, and other adjustments. Also, note that Coach McCray-Penson was key to helplng Dawn Staley win a national championship the season before arriving at Old Dominion.

She got off to a very slow start (much slower start than she's currently having at Miss. State) to her coaching career at Old Dominion..but really bounced back, turned things around over the next 2 season. Why couldn't she adjust, bounce back at Miss. State as well? Also, her coaching staff appears much more than solid.

Additionally....
Player development, recruiting, and holding on to current players....big keys moving forward. Keep an eye on Temple transfer Ashley Jones (2019-20 AAC Newcomer Of The Year)..and Jasmine Shavers as players that can come in...provide immediate help. Knisha Godfrey and the other 2 high school signees. Also, staff indicated looking at the transfer route in regards to the late signing period.

[DeltaChicagoDog]

Wow, thanks for that thorough and thoughtful response!