Other B1G Team Notes 2023-24

Nebraska signs a good one.



The 6-foot-2 Petrie plays semi-professional basketball in the NBL1 East Division, and she's averaging 18 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Basketball Centre of Excellence.

"Husker fans are going to love watching this exciting young woman grow in her time here in the United States," coach Amy Williams said in a press release. "She is one of the most talented and promising women's basketball players in Australia, and we are very excited to have her joining the Huskers."

Petrie has played on big stages — national teams, World Cups and FIBA. She helped the U16 Australian team to a FIBA championship in December by nearly reaching a triple-double in the semifinal game. In the final, she scored 12 points and dished six assists.
 


Hoosier roster update

Indiana women’s basketball’s offseason to-do list looks a lot different than last year’s.

IU entered the 2022-23 season with seven new faces — half the roster — between transfers and freshmen. With three huge pieces graduating after the 2021-22 season, that sort of overhaul became necessary.

This year, the Hoosiers have four open scholarships, but Grace Berger was the only major player they lost.

They’re looking at reinforcements in the transfer portal, undoubtedly. But in order to assess what IU head coach Teri Moren and her staff could add this offseason, it’s important to consider what the team already has.

Who’s back​

For starters, Indiana has first team All-American forward Mackenzie Holmes returning for her COVID year.

Holmes was one of the best players in the country last season, averaging 22.3 points per game on an efficient 68 percent shooting clip, and added 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. And she earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The Hoosiers were an all-around dangerous team last season — which is why they were so good. Holmes was their best player. She’ll continue to be the team’s centerpiece in 2023-24.

Berger is the only key player from last season that won’t be back around Holmes.

Chloe Moore-McNeil took major steps forward last season, finishing third in the country with a 3.23 assist-to-turnover ratio. She slid over to point guard while Berger was injured and performed capably. And Moore-McNeil is one of the best, if not the best, guard defenders in the Big Ten.

Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon both joined Holmes and Berger in averaging double-figure scoring. Parrish enjoyed, easily, the best season of her college career so far, after transferring in from Oregon last year. Garzon shot 46 percent from 3-point range, good for fourth in the nation. And it often felt like the Israeli was just scratching the surface of her immense potential.

Sharpshooter Sara Scalia had to adjust to new roles at Indiana after transferring from Minnesota, and she handled that well. She was inconsistent at times last season, but she provides a real spark when she’s on her game.

Forward Lilly Meister improved a lot during her freshman year, and she’ll be second string at the five next year behind Holmes once again. But she could be in line for a bigger share of minutes, especially if she continues to improve ahead of next season.

Though Arielle Wisne’s in-game contributions have been minimal during her IU career, she also remains an option off the bench in the post. And with Alyssa Geary, Kiandra Browne, and Mona Zaric all leaving the program, Meister and Wisne naturally become more important, even just in practice.

Guards Lexus Bargesser and Henna Sandvik didn’t see a ton of action, especially later in the season. They had some good moments when they did see the floor, though, and IU’s staff is expecting that duo to continue getting better in the offseason and next season and be able to potentially handle some more minutes.

Known arrivals​

Indiana has not yet added anyone from the transfer portal, but the team does have two top-100 freshmen coming to Bloomington this fall.

The only other Big Ten schools with multiple class of 2023 commits ranked in the ESPN top 100 are Maryland, Michigan, and Purdue.

Guard Jules LaMendola, No. 52 on ESPN’s list, was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas this year. Her game has some similarities to Garzon’s — although she’s a little shorter than the Israeli, she can play anywhere from the one to the four. She’s a versatile player with a diverse skill set, with both post game and 3-point shooting.

Guard Lenee Beaumont is rated No. 83 by ESPN, and was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois this year. She competed in the TaxAct High School 3-point Championship at the Final Four this year, and made the final. And she led her Benet Academy team to an appearance in the state title game this year as well. The Hoosiers liked her size at guard and her high basketball IQ when they recruited her, and she got even better as a senior.

Moren often plays a tight rotation, and many times, freshmen just don’t see the court that much. Garzon was a big exception, coming in more polished than most freshmen.

While LaMendola and Beaumont don’t have that level of experience, these are high-caliber players who could have a real shot at immediate playing time.

Needs​

Indiana had to fill several big roles and a lot of minutes last year.

That’s the case again with Berger gone, but not to the same extent because she’s the only departed major contributor, and because of what IU has coming back. The Hoosiers have four open scholarships, but there aren’t really four open roles on the team. There are more scholarships available than IU has minutes — and touches — available.

It’s unlikely IU uses all four of those scholarships. The Hoosiers have depth and talent already. Also, locker room chemistry is a big thing for Moren and her staff. Bringing in players from the transfer portal who wouldn’t play much could risk disrupting the good culture they feel they already have.

That said, Indiana is looking at transfers. Berger leaves a hole at point guard, and with everything she did for the Hoosiers, there’s certainly minutes and touches available.

Moore-McNeil will handle some of those point guard duties. Bargesser will, as well. But Indiana is looking into the transfer portal for a player who could also help there.

The Hoosiers hosted Iowa State transfer rising senior guard Lexi Donarksi on a visit last week. She’s a combo guard, and would run the point at times. She’ll have two years of eligibility at her next school.

Donarksi won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2022 — she and Moore-McNeil would be a stifling defensive duo for the Hoosiers. Donarski was also an All-Big 12 first team selection that year. She was an honorable mention this past season as a junior.

Over her three-year career at Iowa State, Donarski averaged 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting 36 percent on 3-pointers at a high volume.

Aside from guard, IU’s only other need is in the frontcourt.

With Holmes and Meister, Indiana doesn’t necessarily need someone to come in and play right away. But the Hoosiers would need, at least, another forward for practice and depth. With just three forwards, and with Holmes having knee problems at the end of the season, IU won’t want to enter the season with just three post players.

That’s a tricky dynamic, as many players who enter the portal will be looking for immediate playing time. And that may not be something IU can offer.

This offseason, for Indiana women’s basketball, is about reinforcing an already strong team. And the Hoosiers have real chances to do that.
 


Michigan offseason update: who's out; who's in:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Michigan women’s basketball program has established itself as a regular contender under Kim Barnes Arico. The Wolverines have made five consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including the 2022 Elite Eight, and have had players selected in the WNBA Draft each of the past two years.

Thanks in part to that success, this offseason has brought considerable upheaval. Roster movement and staff changes mean the team will look significantly different in 2023-24. Here’s a recap of what has happened so far:

Michigan basketball: Who is OUT

Maddie Nolan: Affectionately known as Maddie Nylon, the senior earned her nickname as a 3-point specialist. She rarely expanded her role beyond her catch-and-shoot threat, taking more than 70% of her shots from beyond the arc last season. She confirmed her Transfer Portal exit via an Instagram post on Tuesday, April 18.


Leigha Brown: The former Nebraska transfer cemented her legacy at Michigan during her fifth year of eligibility. After she helped lead the Wolverines to the 2022 Elite Eight, she switched to point guard and enjoyed the most productive season of her collegiate career (17.5 points, 5.8 assists per game). She was drafted by the Atlanta Dream, tying the program record for highest WNBA Draft pick.

Emily Kiser: A longtime backup behind Naz Hillmon and other post options, Kiser returned for her fifth season in 2022-23 and put together a solid season, earning All-Big Ten recognition for the first time in her career. Her contributions as a starter in 2021-22 and 2022-23 after three years as a backup were a model of the program Barnes Arico has built. Kiser has exhausted her eligibility.


Ari Wiggins: The speedy guard entered the Transfer Portal after appearing in 21 games off the bench as a sophomore. Injuries sidelined her in 2021-22, and though she was a valuable depth piece last season, her minutes didn’t stick late in the year.

Michelle Sidor: She transferred to DePaul after an injury held her to only one game last season. Previously, she had been named a potential breakout candidate by teammates and was a candidate to start at point guard.


Izabel Varejão: Though there has been no formal announcement about her status, Varejão was not with the program for much of the 2022-23 season and recently posted on social media about it being her final days in Ann Arbor. She has remaining eligibility should she choose to use it elsewhere.

Assistant Coaches: After one season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, Erin Batth departed to take the head coaching role at Providence. Assistant coach Valerie Nainima, who coached point guards, and graduate manager Reyna Frost will join Batth in Rhode Island.

Michigan basketball: Who is IN

Taylor Williams: The Western Michigan transfer averaged 14.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in Kalamazoo last season, culminating with All-MAC Honorable Mention and All-MAC Defensive Team recognition. She has two years of eligibility remaining. A double-double machine, the 6-foot-2 forward third in the MAC and 52nd nationally for rebounds.

Lauren Hansen: The veteran guard comes to Michigan after four years — three at Mizzou that followed one at Auburn. Best known for hitting a buzzer beater to knock off No. 1 South Carolina, Hansen has been productive throughout her career. She started all 32 games with the Tigers in 2022-23, averaging 12.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and her free throw percentage (90.6%) suggests her field goal shooting (38.6%) might be due for improvement. She should complement Laila Phelia in a formidable backcourt in Ann Arbor.

Melanie Moore (assistant coach): Moore, who coached at Michigan with Arico from 2012-19, returns after four seasons at Xavier. Though she went 24-81 as a head coach, her credentials in Ann Arbor include coaching and developing Hallie Thome and Naz Hillmon.

Jillian Dunston (assistant coach): Dunston, who played in 138 games at Michigan from 2015-18, returned to Ann Arbor after three seasons as an assistant at Drexel. While with the Dragons, she was named to the WBCA Thirty Under 30, recognizing her as one of the top young women's basketball coaches.
 


Purdue lands Amiyah and Mila Reynolds. This makes seven outgoing and seven incoming for the Boilers.

Purdue women's basketball picked up a pair of highly-touted sisters Wednesday as class of 2023 recruit Amiyah Reynolds and Maryland transfer Mila Reynolds both announced their commitments to the Boilermakers.

Head coach Katie Gearlds and her new assistant coach tandem landed the duo after Mila entered the transfer portal and Amiyah re-opened her recruitment on March 29th. Purdue pursued both of the South Bend natives before their respective commitments to the Terrapins, but got them on the second go-around.

The elder Reynolds was a four-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, coming in as the 60th ranked player in the country and third best in Indiana, per ESPN. During her senior year, she helped lead South Bend Washington to the Class 3A state title alongside her sister. She averaged 21.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game en route to being named an Indiana All-Star.

During her lone season at Maryland, Reynolds played sparingly, averaging 1.0 point and 0.9 rebounds in five minutes per game. At 6'3", Mila Reynolds could fit in at the four under Katie Gearlds, with the ability to play inside and out. She may also see some time at the five alongside returning big Caitlyn Harper.

Incoming freshman, Amiyah Reynolds, also had a successful high school career in her own right. This past season, she averaged 15.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game on a South Bend Washington team that was ranked 12th in the country by ESPN. She was named an Indiana All-Star and first team AP All-State.

The younger Reynolds went down with a season-ending foot injury in February that required surgery, making her status for next season uncertain. Her availability will depend on how she progresses in her rehab this summer, but a redshirt season is on the table.

Mila and Amiyah also reunite with a former high school teammate, Rashunda Jones, who is one of the crown jewels of the 2023 recruiting class for the Boilermakers.

Purdue has undergone a massive roster overhaul this off-season, seeing seven players depart and now seven incoming players to replace them with the commitments of the talented sisters. They will join Rashunda Jones, Mary Ashley Groot, McKenna Layden, Emily Monson and Sophie Swanson as Boilermaker newcomers in 2023-2024.
 


Penn State lands Drexel transfer Kylie Lavelle

Penn State landed another former Drexel player, and this time it was forward Kylie Lavelle.

In her freshman season, Lavelle averaged 11.1 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and 0.4 assists per game. Her field goal percentage was 45.8.

The Moosic, Pennsylvania, native played in 24 games last season with an average of 21 minutes in those games.

In her only season with the Dragons, Lavelle scored 266 points and was 45-60 on free throws.

The soon-to-be sophomore will look to continue the climb of her numbers with this change of scenery.
 



The Wolverines add BGSU grad transfer and Australian Elissa Brett

Just one day after securing its second offseason graduate transfer, the Michigan women’s basketball team received yet another commitment.

Elissa Brett, a guard who played her first four seasons at Bowling Green State University, announced her commitment to the Wolverines via Instagram on Wednesday.

In her senior season with the Falcons, Brett started all 38 games and averaged 14.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. She shot 37.3% from the field and 33.2% from deep over her senior campaign and was the team leader in both points and 3-point makes. Brett was also the team leader in rebounds, despite standing at just 5-foot-10.


She was named to the 2022-23 all-MAC first team and all-defensive team, as well as the all-MAC tournament team.

In the 2023 NIT, Brett was on the receiving end of an altercation when she got punched in the postgame handshake line. Brett’s injuries appeared relatively minor and she went on to score 24 total points over Bowling Green’s final two games of the tournament.

A native of Australia, Brett will be the second Australian on Michigan’s roster next season, joining rising sophomore forward Chyra Evans.

With Brett’s commitment, the Wolverines have one roster spot left for the upcoming season. Brett’s two-way capabilities provide Michigan with versatility at the guard position, as well as experienced leadership
 



Fralick's staff includes two from Bowling Green, Marwan Miller and Dean Lockwood.

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State head women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick announced the addition of six members to the women's basketball staff on Thursday.

Fralick brings five personnel from her staff at Bowling Green State University, including Associate Head Coach Kim Cameron, Assistant Coach Maria Kasza and Director of Recruiting Joel Whymer. Monique Rosati comes to MSU as the Director of Basketball Operations.

Also joining the coaching staff is Marwan Miller as an Assistant Coach, after one year at Minnesota. One familiar face to MSU women's basketball, Dean Lockwood, remains on staff as the Director of Player Development.

Associate Head Coach Kim Cameron
Kim Cameron comes to Michigan State after five seasons as associate head coach at Bowling Green.

"I am so excited to continue to work with Coach Cameron. We used to be head coaching rivals back in the day when I was the head coach at Ashland University, and she was the head coach at Michigan Tech," Fralick said. "I had so much respect for her and the way her teams competed. It has been really fun to work together the past five seasons at Bowling Green and day by day, brick by brick, build together. Her investment in the program and player relationships is incredible. Looking forward to this new journey together."

Like Fralick, Cameron came to BGSU after a highly-successful tenure at a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) school. Cameron joined the Falcon program after spending 13 seasons on the staff at Michigan Tech, the last eight as head coach. She compiled an impressive 181-53 record as head coach.

During her tenure at MTU, her alma mater, Cameron became the first Division II coach in Tech history to lead the team to a national title game appearance, taking the Huskies to the championship game in 2011. She was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year in both 2011 and '15, and also was the 2011 WBCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year.

Cameron assumed the head-coaching job at Michigan Tech after spending five years as assistant coach. In that time frame, Tech also claimed three GLIAC North Division titles, advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times and cut down the nets for two NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.

She graduated from Michigan Tech in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. The Alpena, Michigan, native earned four letters as a player for the Huskies from 2001-05, helping the squad to a 71-42 record in her four years and a trip to the NCAA Tournament as a senior.

Assistant Coach Maria Kasza
Maria Kasza also comes to MSU from Bowling Green, where she recently completed her fourth season as an assistant coach. Kasza spent two seasons at Northern Illinois prior to her time at BGSU.

"Coach Maria Kasza adds so much energy and enthusiasm to our program. She is very invested in program and player development," Fralick added. "She goes above and beyond to make sure student-athletes are supported. I have been fortunate to work with Coach Kasza for the past four seasons and her passion for coaching and basketball is contagious. I am excited for the way she will impact the Michigan State University women's basketball program."

During her two years in DeKalb, Kasza helped the Huskies to a total of 34 wins, including an overall mark of 19-13 in her second season.

Kasza joined NIU after spending five seasons at Michigan Tech, where she helped the Huskies to a 107-37 record during that time.

She also coached with associate head coach Kim Cameron, working together in various capacities at Michigan Tech.

When Cameron was the Michigan Tech head coach, Kasza was assistant coach for five years. During that stretch, MTU made a pair of NCAA Division II Tournament appearances as well as winning a regular-season Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference championship in 2014-15.

Before joining the college ranks, Kasza spent two years coaching high school basketball. She spent the 2010-11 season as the varsity assistant coach at her alma mater, Kalkaska High School, and she coached the Kalkaska Middle School's seventh grade boys' basketball team as well. In 2011-12, Kasza was the head coach of the freshman girls' basketball team at Williamston High School.

A native of Rapid City, Michigan, Kasza earned her bachelor's degree from Michigan Tech in 2009, while gaining her master's degree in 2010. She spent three years with the Huskies' women's basketball team and was a part of back-to-back Elite Eight teams. She began her collegiate career at Northern Michigan.

Assistant Coach Marwan Miller
Marwan Miller brings a wealth of knowledge to East Lansing, including spending time in the Big Ten conference. He comes to Michigan State after one season at Minnesota.

"Coach Miller is a wonderful addition to our staff. I had the privilege of watching up close as he was an assistant for the Ohio University women's basketball program, and was integral in their program success," Fralick said. "His experience will be very valuable, as he was most recently an assistant at Minnesota. Coach Miller is very connected in recruiting and a masterful relationship builder. He is invested in the student-athlete experience and will bring a positive and consistent attitude every day. I am excited for this journey together."

In six seasons at Ohio, Miller and the Bobcats finished with a record of 121-64, including a 30-win season and a 26-win season during his tenure. The team also won the 2015-16 MAC regular-season title with Miller on staff.

Prior to becoming a full-time assistant at Ohio, Miller served as an assistant coach at Saint Francis (Pa.) in 2016-17 as an offensive coordinator. The team averaged 74.5 points per game in a fast-paced system, which produced the 2016 NEC Freshman of the Year.

Prior to 2013, Miller was a senior staff member for the Ohio Girls Basketball Report, where he evaluated the talent of prospective student-athletes. He was also the head coach of the Ohio Glory Basketball Club from 2004-12 and worked with the OGBR Ohio Legends Exhibition team from 2004-07. Miller was the head varsity girls' basketball coach at Columbus South High School during the 2008-09 season, and assistant varsity girls' basketball coach for the 2006-07 season with the Columbus Afrocentric Early College.

Miller received his bachelor's degree from Franklin University in 2012, and his associate's degree from Columbus State Community College.

Director of Player Development Dean Lockwood
Dean Lockwood begins his fifth season at Michigan State, serving as the associate head coach for the previous four seasons.

"It is an honor to work alongside Coach Lockwood," Fralick said. "A really cool backstory, is that Coach Lockwood was my husband's college coach. My husband has always raved about how Coach Lockwood was so instrumental and transformational in his life. He is well respected and well regarded for his wisdom, work ethic and success, having been part of two national championship teams. One of my favorite things about Coach is the way he lights up when he is on the court and surrounded by student-athletes. We are very grateful to learn from Coach Lockwood every day and are excited for his incredible positive impact on the program."

Lockwood also served as the Spartans' interim head coach for the final 10 games of the 2022-23 season. At Michigan State, Lockwood has worked primarily with the Spartan post players. This season, Lockwood was named to the A STEP UP Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame Class, Presented by Worth Advisors.

During his time at Michigan State, the Spartan reached postseason twice, including during the bubble season in San Antonio during the 2020-21 season.

Prior to working at MSU, he spent over 15 seasons as an assistant coach at Tennessee. Overall, he spent 20 years working with both the Tennessee men and women's programs.

At Tennessee, Lockwood was part of two National Championships in 2007 and 2008, as well as three Final Four appearances. Overall, the Lady Vols, won five Southeastern Conference regular-season titles and seven SEC Tournament crowns. Five of Lockwood's pupils at Tennessee have developed into first-round picks in the WNBA Draft, including 2016 WNBA Finals MVP, 2013 WNBA MVP and WNBA All-Star Game MVP Candace Parker.

From 1986-1991, Lockwood served as an assistant for the University of Tennessee men's basketball team under head coach Don DeVoe and later Wade Houston. During his tenure as an assistant, Volunteer teams went 77-75, posting three consecutive winning seasons, making a pair of National Invitational Tournament trips and had an NCAA Tournament bid in 1989 after an 18-9 regular season.

Lockwood's first full-time coaching position was as men's assistant coach at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 1983-86. In 1984-85, he helped Army to its best record and only winning season since 1978. Lockwood cut his teeth in the coaching profession as a men's graduate assistant at Central Michigan in 1982-83

Lockwood earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Spring Arbor in 1982, majoring in English and secondary education. He earned a master's degree in counseling and personal and student development from Central Michigan in 1989.

Director of Recruiting Joel Whymer
Joel Whymer comes to Michigan State after five season as an assistant coach at Bowling Green. Whymer served as the program's recruiting coordinator in 2019.

"I am thrilled to have Coach Whymer join us at MSU. He is a committed worker, high-level encourager and diligent recruiter. He brings a positive attitude and authenticity into everything he does," Fralick said. "Coach Whymer is very connected and will work hard on the recruiting trail for the program. We have worked together the past five seasons, and he has been instrumental in program and player development."

Upon arriving at BGSU, Whymer was integral in changing both the style of play and the Falcon team culture. The Falcons advanced to postseason play in each of those last three seasons.

He came to Bowling Green after spending three seasons on the staff at Wayne State in Detroit. Whymer was also the head coach of the junior varsity team.

Whymer joined the Warriors' staff after spending one season (2014-15) as the head coach at St. Clair County Community College. He led the Skippers to a 25-6 overall record and a share of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Eastern Conference championship with a 13-3 league mark.

He also spent two seasons as the head boys basketball coach at Marine City High School before heading to St. Clair County Community College, where he was a special education teacher for five years.

Whymer played his first two seasons collegiately at Lake Superior State (2003-04 and 2004-05), where he totaled 533 points in 47 games with 108 rebounds and 80 assists. Whymer also played for Grand Valley State in 2006-07 scoring in double digits four times, including a season-high 17 points in a win at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL).

He is a 2010 graduate of GVSU, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on special education. He earned a master's degree in coaching education from Ohio, and also earned a master's degree in sport administration from Wayne State in December of 2018.

Whymer and his wife, Rachel, were married in August of 2018.

Director of Basketball Operations Monique Rosati
Monique Rosati recently completed her 16th season with the Bowling Green women's basketball program in 2022-23. Rosati, the Director of Operations, was an integral part of the team's success during the last decade and a half, performing a veritable plethora of duties for the program. During her time at BGSU, the Falcons won six MAC regular-season titles, two MAC Tournament titles and made two NCAA appearances.

"Monique Rosati is such an essential part of our staff. She has been the Director of Basketball Operations the past 16 seasons at BGSU," Fralick added. "Monique is determined, diligent and most importantly, an incredible role-model for our student-athletes. She is whole-heartedly committed to the organization of the program and making sure everybody is on the same page. We have worked together the past five seasons at Bowling Green State and she was instrumental in the program success. I am so excited for her continued impact and leadership within the Michigan State program."

She served on Curt Miller's BGSU staff for five seasons, and worked under head coach Jennifer Roos for six seasons, before spending the last five years (2018-19 through '22-23) working with Fralick and her staff.

Rosati's day-to-day duties include handling all aspects of team travel and all film exchange for the program, while assisting the coaching staff with academic coordination and daily operations within the Falcons' basketball office.

Rosati, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., worked with former Falcon head coach Curt Miller at Syracuse, where she served as the head manager for the women's basketball team from 1996-2001. Miller was an assistant coach at Syracuse during the 1994-98 seasons, before spending 11 years as the Falcons' head coach.

She graduated from Syracuse in 1997 receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in international relations and Spanish. In December of 2010, Rosati earned her MBA degree with an Accounting specialization from BGSU.

Rosati's husband, Clayton, a fellow Syracuse alum, is an associate professor in BGSU's School of Media and Communication.
 





Illinois hires Stanford assistant Britney Anderson

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women's basketball head coach Shauna Green has announced the hiring of Britney Anderson as an assistant coach. Anderson joins the Illinois program after three seasons on Stanford's staff, where she worked primarily with the guards. She's been in the collegiate coaching ranks since 2013 with stops at Radford, Virginia Tech and most recently Stanford.

"I am so excited to have Britney join our Illini family," opened Green. "She brings elite experience to us as a recruiter, coach and relationship builder. She has coached some of the best players in the country and has won a national championship – that experience is invaluable. As we continue to build Illinois into a consistent top program in the country, there is no doubt that Britney will help us get there."

"I am extremely grateful to be able to work with Coach Green and become a part of the Illini family," shared Anderson. "Illinois is a special place with special people, and I look forward to continuing to build on last season's success."

Stanford went 92-12 (.885) in Anderson's three seasons on The Farm, boasting the second-most wins and third-best winning percentage of any school in the nation during that span. The Cardinal won three straight Pac-12 regular season titles along with the 2021 and 2022 tournament championships and went 50-5 vs. Pac-12 foes in the regular season with Anderson on the staff. Under her guidance, Haley Jones (2022) and Kiana Williams (2021) earned All-America accolades, while Anna Wilson was named the 2021 Pac-12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Jones and Lexie Hull were both picked No. 6 in the WNBA Draft in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

A 2007 graduate of Virginia Tech, Anderson has spent time coaching in both the high school and AAU ranks, as well as collegiately at Radford and her alma mater in Blacksburg, Va.

She joined the college ranks in 2013, serving as an assistant at Radford and aiding in the resurgence of its program, including a trip to the WNIT in 2015. Upon returning to her alma mater, Anderson helped Virginia Tech to four straight postseason appearances, highlighted by a run to the WNIT Championship game in 2018.

Playing for the Hokies from 2003-07, Anderson led Virginia Tech to four straight postseason appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament and one to the WNIT. She shot 44.6 percent from the floor for her career and averaged 10.2 points per game as a senior.

Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree in apparel design and merchandise management, Anderson served as the corporate recruiter for M.C. Dean, Inc. in Dulles, Va., from 2008-13. During that time frame, Anderson also coached girls' basketball at Potomac Falls High School in Potomac Falls, Va., and in the AAU ranks
 


Gophers need a veteran rotation/backup point guard.

Penn State just got two.

 

Maryland freshman point guard Gia Cooke transfers to Houston. The 5' 8" point guard was the #52 prospect per ESPN HoopGurlz:



Tall Maryland guard Ava Sciola who entered the transfer portal has not yet chosen a school. She wasn't a top-100 prospect per ESPN and then wasn't getting many minutes at star-packed Maryland but she's real interesting -- and tall for a guard. 3 times All-State and 2022 Pennsylvania 6A Player of the Year in high school.

Update: Sciola was top 100 by ASGR and is combo guard who shoots on the perimeter, can defend multiple positions, and possibly play point guard that put her as a tweener.


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2023 Indiana commit Lenee Beaumont named Ms. Basketball Illinois.



Two of the top four 2023 prospects from Illinois are headed to the Big Ten, both top-100 in the nation prospects. Indiana and Michigan loaded up.

PrepGirlsHoops:

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Michigan has three top-100 (ESPN) prospects coming in this season. Indiana has two. Minnesota has one, GG who follows Coach P to MN. GG is an underrated prospect who could be wow.
 
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Gold medalist and #15 2024 prospect in the nation Kendall Dudley of Sidwell Friends (DC) commits to UCLA (joining the Big Ten the next season after this upcoming one).


For 2023, UCLA has the #32 prospect Amanda Muse (CA) coming in plus transfer portal player Lauren Betts (CO) coming who was the #1 prospect the season before, coming in.

But wait, there's more. UCLA had the #1 recruiting class in 2022, including three top-25 players (ESPN) that included the #2 player. So UCLA now has the #1 and #2 players from 2022 plus 2023 and 2024 coming in. UCLA finished this season ranked #14 and now has all that coming through. Whew!

But wait, there's more.

USC also joining the Big Ten at the same time has two 2023 top-50 prospects coming in, including the #1 prospect in the nation, both from the West Coast. USC was in the NCAA tournament this season and around the #34 team.

To USC 2023
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That's the Big Ten the next season after this upcoming one. Plus hopefully Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament mix.

Will be an interesting Gophers season in 2024-25. Very interesting. The Big Ten Tournament will be an NCAA Tournament preview show.

Caitlin Clark at some point graduates. Ohio State, Indiana, and Michigan project to be strong at that time.

Minnesota's talent should be really good then too. Minnesota is young.


 
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Incoming Northwestern freshmen:

After a disappointing 2022-2023 season, Northwestern women's basketball looks to return to being a competitive Big Ten team. The Wildcats finished 2-16 in Big Ten play, their worst record since 2008. Losing four contributors from the squad, the ‘Cats brought in three first-years to round out the roster. Let’s meet the trio of newest Wildcats.

Casey Harter

Harter comes to Evanston after playing high school basketball in Souderton, Pennsylvania. A 5-foot-11 guard, Harter spent all four years on varsity and was named captain for her two final campaigns. She was selected to the Under Armour Future 60 after her junior year.

The newest Wildcat racked up 1,211 points, which was third all-time at Souderton High School. In her senior season, she averaged 16.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 points. Harter heard from multiple schools, including WBB powerhouse Stanford. Both of Harter’s parents played college basketball. With Sydney Wood and Kaylah Rainey graduating, Harter brings a new face to the ‘Cats’ backcourt.


Rachel Mutombo

Move over Matt Nicholson, there is a new journalism Mutombo in Evanston — and it is an actual Mutombo. Mutombo comes to Northwestern after spending her high school career at Good Counsel Olney, Maryland. The 6-foot-3 forward provides height to the ‘Cats’ frontcourt after Courtney Shaw graduated this year.

The newest Wildcat nearly averaged a double-double her junior year, putting up 10 points and eight rebounds. She received WCAC honorable mention her senior year.

Crystal Wang

Originally from Beijing, China, Wang comes to Evanston from Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California. The six-foot-two forward will provide a post presence, while being able to stretch the floor and shoot the ball.

Wang averaged 10 points and five rebounds her junior year, earning second-team Golden Coast honors. In her senior season, she helped lead Trailblazers to 31-1 record and the No. 1 ranking in the country, according to ESPN.
 


Outgoing Northwestern guard:


She was a top-50 2021 prospect who hasn't played up to the ranking. She's a combo guard.

Her field goal shooting this sophomore season was 29% and 3-point shooting 19.8%. Her turnovers exceeded her assists both years.

Of course, she didn't play all by herself and I don't know the whole story.


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That Northwestern team underperformed the perceived talent level, or maybe the perception wasn't right.
 


A little more on Northwestern and Jillian Brown

A rough season for Northwestern women’s basketball may be over, but the hits just keep on coming. On Monday morning, WBB Blog shared that Northwestern sophomore guard Jillian Brown has entered her name in the transfer portal.


After averaging about 30 minutes per contest and starting 25 of the 27 games she played in during the 2021-22 season, Brown’s minutes fluctuated in her sophomore year. Although she struggled shooting the ball, No. 4 was one of Northwestern’s best wing defenders. Brown was a prime candidate to take Sydney Wood’s place in the starting lineup through 2023-24 and beyond.

Should Brown leave, wing players such as Hailey Weaver, Melannie Daley and Jasmine McWilliams will likely be in line to earn more minutes. Additionally, incoming first-year Casey Harter could earn significant minutes from the moment she steps foot in Welsh-Ryan Arena.


Brown is the first member of Joe McKeown’s team to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Per Sports Reference, NU hasn’t had an undergraduate player leave through the portal since Alexis Glasgow, who transferred to Penn in 2015
 




Wisconsin adds veteran coach, Margaret Mckeown, to staff:

MADISON, Wis. - Margaret McKeon, who owns over two decades of collegiate coaching experience, will join the Wisconsin women's basketball program as an assistant coach.

Head coach Marisa Moseley played for McKeon while she was the head coach at Boston University, and the duo aided the Terrier to the school's lone NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003.

"I have known Coach Moseley as a coach when she was a student-athlete in my program and have continued to support her throughout her coaching career," stated McKeon. "I am excited to come to Wisconsin to share my skills, knowledge and experience. Working together, I know we can build this program into a successful and formidable opponent in the Big Ten. What I love to do is teach. I have a passion for the game and my goal is to help young women not only play the game, but grow as people."
McKeon has led the helm of two rebuilding projects, as she led successful turnarounds at both Boston University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and has been a part of five teams that have reached the NCAA Tournament.

While at NJIT from 2007-12, McKeon led a program that transitioned from DII to DI, and guided the Highlanders to tie for second place in the Great West Conference standings in 2012.

During her time in Boston, McKeon led the Terriers from finishing in 10th place in her first season, to winning the America East championship in her fourth season. McKeon led BU to return to the championship game in 2004 and strung together three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in over a decade.

"I am so excited to welcome Margaret McKeon to Madison," remarked Moseley. "With over 20 years of coaching experience, she will make an immediate impact on our players and the program as a whole. A proven recruiter, she will work primarily with the guards, but loves player development, relationships and a family atmosphere. This is a full-circle and particularly special moment for me to be able to reunite with Margaret. She provided me a life-changing opportunity as a member of her first recruiting class at Boston University, and I cannot wait to coach and work alongside her. Badger nation please help me welcome Margaret and her family."

Prior to her stops as a head coach, McKeon spent four seasons at George Washington. During her time in D.C, the Colonials posted a 93-31 record and won three Atlantic 10 championships. GW was ranked 10th in the nation and advanced to the Division I tournament's Elite Eight in 1996-97.

McKeon also served as an assistant coach at Houston from 1993-95 and was instrumental in signing the 10th-ranked recruiting class in the nation in 1994.

The Queens, N.Y. native got her coaching career started at Arizona State, where she helped the Sun Devils reach the NCAA Tournament in her first season on staff during the 1991-92 season.

McKeon was a standout on the court during her playing days, as she competed for both Oklahoma and St. John's. McKeon was a team captain and All-Big East honoree at St. John's and set the Big East single-game assist record with 18, a record that still holds today.

She also served as the girl's athletic director and head basketball coach at Xaverian High School from 2016-19, and has most recently worked in property management
 


The Illlini add 6'3" center and Duke transfer, Shay Bollin

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women's basketball head coach Shauna Green has announced the addition of Shay Bollin to the women's basketball program. Bollin – a sophomore transfer from Duke – has signed a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid with the University of Illinois and is set to join the program beginning with the 2023-24 season.

"I am so excited to have Shay join our Illini family," opened Green. "She brings size, toughness, and the ability to stretch the floor. She is an elite shooter who fits our system perfectly. Shay is a competitor and a hard worker who will continue to grow in our program. I can't wait to get her on campus and get to work."

Bollin is a 6-foot-3-inch forward from Raynham, Massachusetts. She appeared in eight games off the bench for the Blue Devils last season while averaging 2.4 points and 1.0 rebound across 41 minutes of action as a true freshman.

"I chose Illinois for numerous reasons: the staff, the players, the facilities, the alumni base and so much more are all elite," shared Bollin. "Most importantly, it's very evident how Coach Green has so quickly been able to build a genuine, competitive culture at Illinois. She is phenomenal at developing unique and authentic relationships with her players. The team, both players and staff, is made up of high character people who are eager to work hard, develop and win together! I feel this will really be the catalyst in having a big rise in the Big Ten and officially putting Illinois on the map. This is a brand-new construction that Coach Shauna is building, and I have full faith that with her history of development in her players to reach their full potential, both on and off the court, Illinois is a perfect place fit for me!"

During her season in Durham, North Carolina, Bollin and the Duke squad posted a 26-7 overall record including a 14-4 mark in ACC play. The Blue Devils picked up a win in both the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament during the post season.

Bollin played her prep ball at Bridgewater – Raynham Regional High School where she ranked as high as No. 26 overall in the class of 2022 before finishing with a final ranking of No. 33 by ESPNW. A 2022 McDonald's All-American nominee, Bollin was also a three-time captain of her high school squad. Bridgewater-Raynham was 67-13 in her four-year career, including four straight undefeated conference championships (28-0 overall record in league play). Bollin missed her junior and senior seasons rehabbing from injury.

The daughter of Timothy and Laurie Bollin, Shay has three younger siblings – two brothers and a sister.
 

#55 2024 prospect (ESPN) PG Jordyn Poole commits to Purdue.

 


Penn State adds three transfers

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State women's basketball has signed three transfers, Tay Valladay (Virginia), Grace Hall (Wabash) and Kylie Lavelle (Drexel), Lady Lions head coach Carolyn Kieger announced Wednesday. Valladay will use her final year of eligibility as a Lady Lion, and Hall and Lavelle have three years of eligibility.

Tay Valladay


Tay Valladay

5-6 l Guard l Chicago l Virginia/Marquette/Rich South High School

At Virginia (2021-23): Started in 51 of 55 games over two seasons for the Cavaliers…Averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game…Was the team-leader in assists and steals for both seasons…Ranked seventh in the ACC in assists per game (3.8) and ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4) during her senior season…Ranked seventh assist-to-turnover ratio (1.16) and eighth in assists per game (3.8) as a junior…Stood 17th in steals per game during her junior year and 19th in steals per game (1.4) in 2022-23…Accumulated 23 double-digit scoring games…Tallied a career-high 30 points against Pitt (2/20/22)...Finished 2022-23 regular season with five-straight 10+ point games, including 22 points along with eight rebounds and seven assists in a win over NC State (2/12).

At Marquette (2019-21): Played in 46 games for the Golden Eagles…As a sophomore, averaged 5.2 points, 1.8 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game in 19.9 minutes per contest…Named to the Big East All-Academic Team as a freshman…Recorded two double-digit scoring games during the 2020-21 season, scoring 12 points against Seton Hall (1/15) and Providence (2/13).

High School: Was a Top-250 recruit coming out of high school…Guided Rich South High School to consecutive state tournaments…Named to the All-Southerland Athletic Conference all-conference team…Received Southtown All-Area special mention accolades and IBCA All-State special mention honors…Also ran track and was the Illinois State Champion in the 4×200.

Personal: Daughter of Jamese Brown…Has an older brother, Xazavian, and three younger sisters, Allison, Grace and Hannah…Mom ran track at Ball State…Brother played football at Wyoming and is a prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft…Will graduate with a degree in Sociology.

Kieger on Valladay: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Tay to our Penn State family. I recruited her to Marquette, so this is an amazing full circle moment for us. I have zero doubts our team and fans will love her competitive spirit. She is a proven winner who leaves her heart on the floor. Tay has big goals for this team and season, and we are excited to get to work."

Why Penn State for Valladay: "Choose people who lift you up."

Grace Hall



Grace Hall

6-2 l Forward l Homewood, Ill. l Wabash/LSU/Homewood-Flossmoor High School

At Wabash (2022-23): Redshirted the season.

At LSU (2021-22): Appeared in seven games… Scored 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting on Dec. 15 against Alcorn State… Made the first four three-point attempts of her career.

High School: Was an ESPNU HoopGurlz Top-100 and four-star prospect at Homewood-Flossmoor High School…Ranked No. 86 overall and the No. 16 forward in the nation by ESPN and No. 74 by World Exposure Report…Averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game…Earned IBCA Class 4A Second Team All-State honors…Averaged 17.8 points and 9.1 rebounds as a sophomore while leading the Vikings to the playoffs…2020 AP All-State 4A honorable mention…Nominated for the 2021 McDonald's All-American Game…Played AAU hoops for Example Sports.

Personal: Daughter of Maya Shuck And Antwon Hall…Has an older brother Grant, younger brothers Gavynn and Avery and younger sisters Shayne, Laila and Ava…Dad played basketball at Arkansas and was NAIA Player of the year at Life University…Intends to major in Business.

Kieger on Hall: "We are excited to welcome Grace to Happy Valley. I have known Grace since eighth grade and am thrilled to get the chance to help her dreams come true. She is extremely versatile and has proven she can play at the highest level. Her ability to rebound and defend multiple positions will help us tremendously. Her best basketball is ahead of her, and we can't wait for Grace to arrive."

Why Penn State for Hall: "I believe Penn State will grow me not only on the court but also as a woman."

Kylie Lavelle



Kylie Lavelle

6-2 l Forward l Moosic, Pa. l Drexel/Riverside High School

At Drexel (2022-23): Started in 23 of 24 games played for the Dragons…Named to the CAA All-Rookie team…Helped lead the Dragons to the CAA regular season championship…Received CAA Rookie of the Week four times…Averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and one steal in 21 minutes per game…Shot 45.8 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the free-throw line…Finished 20th in the conference in points per game (11.1)...Accumulated 11 double-digit scoring games, including a 31-point performance in her second collegiate game against La Salle (11/15)...Tallied 20.5 points and six rebounds per game in her first four games…Scored 16 points in the first round of the NIT against Fordham (3/10).

High School: Three-time Class 3A All-State performer at Riverside Junior-Senior High School…Selected as the 2020 and 2021 Lackawanna League Division Player of the Year…Named three-time NEPABasketball.com All-District Two Team, Lackawanna League Division Three First Team All-Star, Scranton Times Tribune All-Region, Scranton Times Tribune Athlete of the Week and Taylor Lions Club Tournament MVP…Started all four years…Helped lead team to back-to-back PIAA District 2 championships, the state AAA quarterfinals as a senior and 82 wins in four seasons…Finished with 1,910 career points with a single-game high of 41 points, averaging 21.7 points and 10 rebounds per game in her career…Put up 24.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in her final year…Set the 2021 Mohegan Sun Arena Scoring Record with 30 points…Honor roll student and member of National Honor Society…Was a part of the NEPA Elite Clark 17U AAU team with current Lady Lion Moriah Murray…Won two HGSL titles…Received a second-team Hoop Group Showcase League selection…Also competed in track & field.

Personal: Daughter of Timothy and Tara Lavelle…Has an older brother, Timmy, and two younger brothers, Patrick and Brady…Intends to major in Kinesiology.

Kieger on Lavelle: "We are thrilled to welcome Kylie to our Penn State family. She is a versatile stretch forward who has proven she can score from all three levels. She has the capability to score with her back to the basket but can also step out and shoot it from deep. Her skill set and ability to rebound will make her a difference maker. We can't wait to see her in a Penn State uniform."

Why Penn State for Lavelle: "After I took my official visit, everything about Penn State just felt like home. I loved the coaches, team, and family atmosphere. Can't wait to get to work!
 

Maryland picks up a commitment from #34 2024 prospect (ESPN) Kyndal Walker, one of the top point guard prospects.


Maryland recently lost top freshman guard Gia Cooke to the transfer portal, so Maryland reloads and reloads. Two go out. Two come in.
 

Maryland picks up a commitment from #34 2024 prospect (ESPN) Kyndal Walker, one of the top point guard prospects.


Maryland recently lost top freshman guard Gia Cooke to the transfer portal, so Maryland reloads and reloads. Two go out. Two come in.
Brenda is a master @ utilizing the portal. She is also an excellent coach who seems to be rebuilding every season while being a top ten team. I would love for the Gophers to have her level of ongoing success .
 

Wisconsin on the losing end with the transfer portal, so far:

"Departures: Julie Pospisilova (graduation), Avery LaBarbera (graduation), Sara Stapleton (graduation), Maty Wilke (transferring to Utah), Krystyna Ellew (transferring to UIC), Mary Ferrito (transferring)

Additions: D’Yanis Jimenez (first-year), Leena Patibandla (first-year), Imbie Jones (first-year), Tessa Grady (first-year)" no transfer portal players in



This last season Wisconsin outperformed expectations by winning 6 conference games.

This upcoming season Wisconsin's wins could regress.
 


Wolverines add grad transfer, former Missouri starting guard, Lauren Hansen

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Women's Basketball Coach Kim Barnes Arico announced on Thursday (April 27) the addition of Lauren Hansen as a graduate transfer to the 2023-24 University of Michigan women's basketball team. Hansen spent the last three seasons at Missouri and will head to Ann Arbor for her final season.

"Lauren is such a dynamic player who can really score the basketball," Barnes Arico said. "She is a competitor who plays with a high level of energy and fire. I have watched her since she was a little kid and it's clear that she loves the game; the way she plays is reflective of the way we play here. She will fit exceptionally well into our style as a tough, hard-nosed guard. She brings a different type of flare and energy to our team, as well as a lot of experience. She has had to play against some of the best guards in the country the last four years in the SEC, and we are going to look for her to help lead our team from multiple positions, whether that's running the point or playing off the ball."

Hansen spent the last three seasons at Missouri, starting every game over the last two years. A double-figure scorer the last two seasons, Hansen averaged 10.6 points, 2.4 boards and 1.3 assists in 26.2 minutes per game during her Mizzou career. She was named the Co-SEC Player of the Week (Jan. 4, 2022) after scoring 21 points and the game-winning basket over South Carolina on Dec. 30, 2021.

This past year as a senior, Hansen averaged career bests in points (12.9 ppg), rebounds (2.9 rpg) and minutes (29.3 mpg) while recording 44 steals and hitting 65 three-pointers. She recorded 20 double-figure scoring games, topping the 20-point mark seven times. Hansen reached the 1,000-point mark for her career during 2022-23 after scoring 413 points during the season, heading to Michigan with 1,086 career points.

Hansen played her freshman season at Auburn, appearing in 25 games en route to averaging 7.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. She ranked 10th in the SEC in three-pointers per game, hitting 1.6 longballs per contest.

Hansen hails from Long Island, N.Y., and was the No. 71-ranked recruit by ESPN in the 2019 class. She set the all-time scoring mark -- boys or girls -- at Ward Melville High School, helping her team to a pair of league titles. She averaged 27.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a senior, grabbing a spot on the USA Today All-State first team.

Hansen will graduate with a degree in communications and was twice named to the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll, while grabbing a spot on the 2020-21 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll
 

LSU likes an easier non-conference schedule. Any chance the Gophers play LSU this year? The exposure would be good.
 




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