Independent/NAIA
Oklahoma City University Picks Up Sixth NAIA National Title
The Oklahoma City University women's basketball team picked up their sixth NAIA Division I national championship. And for head coach Rob Edmisson, this one was 4Corbin.
"We Hate Losing" - 31-1 Oklahoma City University Stars Vie For Their Sixth NAIA Title
The 31-1 Oklahoma City University Stars are four games away from their sixth NAIA Division I women's basktball title. A look inside the season, their men's practice squad and their drive to win it all.
Top 50 Programs of Recent History - NAIA Division I
A brief look at the Top 50 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball programs in recent history, utilizing a three-part BCS-style formula.
Former NBA Player Haywoode Workman's Daughter, Chasity, Aims For WNBA's Tulsa Shock
A glimpse at the path Chasity Workman, Oklahoma City University basketball player is trying to carve out for herself. A path that she hopes finds the same success as her father, former NBA player and current referee, Haywoode Workman.
The Beauty In Watching A Team Make Winning A Habit
merely looking at win totals is not an accurate measure of the vast improvement the Seattle University Redhawks program has made since Joan Bonvicini arrived in the Fall of 2009. This is far more about watching a team learn how to win consistently, with wins coming as confirmation of that learning.
Are you ready? Oklahoma City University is.
When it's gametime in Abe Lemons Arena, you know it. The girls make you know it with their introduction to take the court. Recorded phrase by phrase by the members of the team, a credo rings through the gym to begin the game. And now that the Oklahoma City University women have 12 wins under their belt, they want you to know something - they're ready.
Irvine's Athleticism Overwhelms Seattle's Pressure To Extend Winning Streak To Six
UC Irvine forward Mikah Maly-Karros didn't make a jumper outside of the key in leading the Anteaters to a 69-55 win over the Seattle U Redhawks last night. And despite appearing to have the type of athleticism and frame to play the perimeter, she really didn't need to on her way to a sixth double-double of the season with a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Seattle University: Redawks Playing The Way Bonvicini Likes To Coach
The Seattle University Redhawks finally seemed to come together as a unit in their 62-43 upset win over Idaho yesterday afternoon.
Seattle U Thanksgiving Tournament: Redhawks Play 'First Complete Game' Of Bonvicini's Tenure In First Win Of The Season
Seattle University senior guard Elle Kerfoot was as surprised as anyone else after the Redhawks' 66-56 win over Montana State last night about just how well the team shot in the second half. And it might have been their defense that ultimately led to their first victory of the season.
Seattle University Left Searching For Chemistry After Disappointing Loss To Cal Poly
Seattle University open the season with a 74-57 loss at home against Cal Poly. They might just be in for a long one.
Small schools aren't short on talent - a look at Oklahoma City University
When you think of women's college basketball, how far down the list past UConn do you go? Away from Division I and all the way to the NAIA? Perhaps it's time you should. Take a look at Oklahoma City University.
Five Preseason Questions: How Will Seattle U Move Forward After A Tough First Year In Division I?
Watching Seattle University coach Joan Bonvicini navigate the process of building a Division I program from scratch was a fascinating and rare opportunity all by itself. However, Bonvicini wasn't even trying to sugar coat the sting of a 6-24 record. Heading into the second year, they're looking to find some toughness.
Why Rhea’s Transfer is Exciting for SeattleU & Troubling for Slumping Oregon State
Perhaps I'm the only one who finds the unfolding story of Seattle University transitioning into Division I interesting just on principle. However, I think we can say at the very least that the fact that a Pac-10 player has chosen to transfer to an independent transitioning team without a conference makes it "more" interesting at the very least.
Oregon State's Talisa Rhea Transferring to Seattle University
When asked at the end of her season how she would recruit players to Seattle University, coach Joan Bonvicini chuckled -- perhaps dismissively -- and said, "I can recruit." She proved that quickly, getting Oregon State guard Talisa Rhea to transfer to the smaller SeattleU, a transitioning Division I program.
Garcia's Efficient Double-Double Leads SeattleU to Victory: "He's just growing up"
Perhaps these are the kind of teams that you really want to see Charles Garcia make a difference against -- Portland State University, a 2009 NCAA tournament team, looked a step quicker and a bit more athletic than Seattle University on the surface. It's the type of game where you want to see Garcia the NBA prospect shine. Instead, we saw Garcia the teammate play a steady, consistent game, carefully picking and choosing his spots.
Even if "senior nights are not created equal", they're still moving
ESPN's Mechelle Voepel wrote that "senior nights are not all created equal", however even at the tiniest schools, they can still be moving.
NBA Prospect Charles Garcia: "It’s all about the team, not about the Chuck."
Despite being demoted to the bench, NBA scouts will likely keep coming to see Seattle University forward Charles Garcia if he keeps showing glimpses of pro potential - the four scouts present at Key Arena last night witnessed Garcia record 17 points on 7-10 shooting and 10 rebounds despite the occasional lapses in judgment in the Redhawks' 81-56 win over the University of California-Davis.
NBA Prospects Benson, Garcia Showcase Talents in Seattle
On the surface, Keith Benson definitely got the better of the matchup with fellow NBA prospect Charles Garcia, who fouled out on a questionable call with 3:52 left after having a sub par 1-6 shooting effort. In the final minute with Garcia looking on, it was Benson who made a key play to seal the victory for his team. Nevertheless, Garcia might ultimately be the more NBA-ready player.
"Striving for Perfection": Thomas Expecting More from WCC November Player of the Month Louella Tomlinson
Even among coaches who expect their teams to contend neither for the NCAA title, nor a tournament berth, the pursuit of perfection is the foremost goal on their mind.
Washington’s Slim Victory is a Win for Seattle University, City-Wide Women’s Basketball
The buzz of excitement in the air in the Connolly Center before the Seattle University and University of Washington game last Wednesday continued during the game as the Redhawks surprised everyone but themselves. While the biggest story of a game is usually shaped by the actions of the winner, in this case it was the rapidly improving play of the loser that is the far more captivating story.
"Keeping Score Differently": Bonvicini Looking for Consistency After 0-2 Start at Seattle University
Despite their reputation as a hard-working, scrappy team, Seattle University women's basketball coach Joan Bonvicini is looking for her team to work hard consistently as they compete in the Basketball Travelers Classic hosted by Purdue University.
Seattle University Loses a Heartbreaker Despite Increased Defensive Intensity
The ability for Seattle University to get high percentage shots was the key to the Redhawks’ success during their late-game run. The problem they faced throughout the game – and a problem that is likely to persist over the course of the season – was dealing with bigger players as an undersized team.
How Will an Undersized Seattle University Overcome the Size of Division I Opponents?
Seattle University coach Joan Bonvicini has used a motion offense and aggressive trapping defense to play to the strengths of the Redhawks’ perimeter players en route to two exhibition victories. However, with bigger teams on the schedule down the road – literally, with the University of Washington visiting the Connolly Center on December 9th – they will eventually have to find ways to stop bigger, more talented post players.
What makes small venues "perfect" for women’s college basketball?
in a place like North Court in the Connolly Center, a few hundred committed fans sitting in the bleachers right on top of the action not only feel like a more significant part of the game, but even an exhibition game against a Division II opponent most of us have never heard of actually feels exciting.
A True Team Effort: Seattle University Bench Leads a 17-0 Run in Second Exhibition Victory
Seattle University held Saint Martin’s University to 18 second half points and used a 17-0 run of their own to cruise to a 70-44 victory in their second exhibition game last night. The approximately nine minute second-half run exemplified the emergent character of the Redhawks -- they played as a cohesive unit with no individual stealing the show. Yet each individual’s contribution was vital to the team's success as a unit.
Seattle University Wins with "Intimidating" Defense and "Wise" Leadership
About six minutes into last night’s game against Seattle University, Northwest women’s basketball coach Lori Napier was visibly frustrated with her team and yelling, “Calm down! Run your offense.” Although Napier’s frustration could certainly be attributed to working out early season jitters on the road, a major contributing factor to her frustration – and Seattle University’s 70-48 victory -- was Seattle University’s defense.
Bonvicini Calmly Sets High Expectations for Seattle University: "Three years, we’re going to be a ranked team."
For a team of Seattle University players originally recruited to play Division II basketball now transitioning to Division I, the air of calm emanating from new head coach Joan Bonvicini is more likely the result of 29-years of experience coaching Division I basketball than the manifestation of over-confidence.
Seattle University's Path to Success Begins with an Experienced Coaching Staff
Despite relatively low expectations in a town without a particularly strong women's basketball scene in recent years, what will make Seattle University's story interesting to follow this year is their approach to building a Division I program from the ground up. Their entire season will be an answer to an intriguing question: how should a university build a successful and sustainable Division I program?