Tuned in during the second half of the exciting last minute victory over Missouri State this afternoon. Noticed two new individuals sitting on the bench who were not in uniform. In the post game comments coach Swoops mentioned that Taylor Manual and Candace Martino would be joining the team as walk-ons this semester. I did some research and discovered that Martino is a 5'7" guard transferring from Delaware after spending her freshman year at Akron. Manuel is a 6'3" center who has major credentials! She made the all Big 10 freshman team last year at Purdue after being named the Missouri Player of the Year during her senior season. I don't know when either of these individuals will be eligible to play, but after watching three members of the current team leave the court on crutches, I hope it will be soon.

Taylor Johnson and Tiana Karopulos both had surgery on January 3. Preseason MVC all-conference forward Simone Law has only seen action in three games for a total of 37 minutes all year. Those were probably the players on crutches. In the game against Wichita State, Troy Hambric was banged up badly but still managed to score 20 points on the MVC favorite.

I've watched the women's team a lot on streaming video, and they've played extremely hard through a lot of adversity. Swoopes has really held them together and motivated them through some major injury setbacks. The only game they had no business losing was at Eastern Illinois, where they blew a big lead and lost on two last-second free throws.

Despite everything, they're 2-2 in MVC play-- including a win on the road at Southern Illinois.

Maybe we should get Swoopes to coach the men...

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Cigarboy sucks!

Hmm. Have a full roster. That's a novel idea!

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MBB Scholarship Chart

I think with the women Ramblers having lost two of their top players.........and still be 2-2 in the Valley is awesome. The times I have seen Coach Swoope speak she has been impressive.

And today, Troy Hambric was named MVC Player of the Week.


http://www.mvc-sports.com/wbasketball/n ... ek-jan-13/