Guru's Local College Report: Elena Delle Donne - Past, Present, and Future
By Mel Greenberg
First, as part of the Guru-palooza Wednesday morning action on the blog this is one of several other posts.
The one just below this is the updated summer list of coaches appearances in the AP Poll reflecting the 73 overall coaching changes, focusing on those who've had ranked teams, since the season ended.
The entire all-time and active lists on this file for the blog are cut at No. 27 on the all-time list and 51 on the active list.
The two other posts are the Tuesday night roundup of the Philly Summer League and the combo Washington-Connecticut game as part of the weekly WNBA look-ahead, which the Guru hopes to do Wednesday night by going to Mohegan for part two of the Washington-Connecticut two-step.
Now, moving forward, Delaware star Elena Delle Donne, the nation's leading scorer in 2012-13 while leading the Blue Hens on their program historic run to the NCAA tournament, on Tuesday was in the news in terms of the past, present and future and a little bit of both at the same time.
Reflecting on the momentous achievements of last season with yet another award, Delle Donne was named the Colonial Athletic Association female scholar-athlete winner.
Meanwhile in terms of the present and future as the WNBA moves to its month-long pause for the Olympics following Friday's games, Delle Donne continues to be one of the three collegiate superstars mentioned along with Baylor consensus player of the year Brittney Griner of the NCAA champion Bears and Skylar Diggins of the NCAA two-time runnersup Notre Dame in terms of WNBA teams seeming to be heading for the lottery.
Right now, Tulsa, Washington, and Phoenix in that order have the three worst records but are in a tight battle, while New York is the fourth-team in the lottery hunt. More about all that will be in the WNBA roundup.
In term of the immediate futue Delaware was announced as one of 16 teams in the Preseason Women's NIT.
Glancing at the field, the Blue Hens will be tested right from the opening tip -- the bracket will be announced next week -- because Delaware seems likely to be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed depending on how the Blue Hens will be compared with North Carolina.
The Tar Heels were not ranked at the end of the 2012 season and did not make the NCAA tournament while Delaware in its first year earning national rankings -- thanks in a large part to Delle Donne -- finished in the top 10 and advanced to the second round of the Big Dance with a No. 3 seed.
The other 14 teams are Davidson, Duquesne, Georgetown, Grambling State, Illinois State, Iowa, Kennessaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Morehead State, Northern Illiniois, Sacred Heart, and Sam Houston.
Considering how geographics come into play, it wouldn't be surprising to see Delaware open with Sacred Heart. The event involves a three-game guarantee format no matter what happens in the first or second rounds.
Pierce Joins Saint Joseph's Staff
Former Central High star Jada Pierce, who also played at Division II West Chester in the suburbs, is returning to her native city following a two-year stint as an assistant at the United States Military Academy guiding the Army women's fortunes in the Patriot League.
She will be an assistant to Cindy Griffin with the Hawks, replacing Chris Day who took a similar job at Indiana under new coach Curt Miller, who had been the successful coach at Bowling Green.
Further details can be found on the Hawks website.
-- Mel
First, as part of the Guru-palooza Wednesday morning action on the blog this is one of several other posts.
The one just below this is the updated summer list of coaches appearances in the AP Poll reflecting the 73 overall coaching changes, focusing on those who've had ranked teams, since the season ended.
The entire all-time and active lists on this file for the blog are cut at No. 27 on the all-time list and 51 on the active list.
The two other posts are the Tuesday night roundup of the Philly Summer League and the combo Washington-Connecticut game as part of the weekly WNBA look-ahead, which the Guru hopes to do Wednesday night by going to Mohegan for part two of the Washington-Connecticut two-step.
Now, moving forward, Delaware star Elena Delle Donne, the nation's leading scorer in 2012-13 while leading the Blue Hens on their program historic run to the NCAA tournament, on Tuesday was in the news in terms of the past, present and future and a little bit of both at the same time.
Reflecting on the momentous achievements of last season with yet another award, Delle Donne was named the Colonial Athletic Association female scholar-athlete winner.
Meanwhile in terms of the present and future as the WNBA moves to its month-long pause for the Olympics following Friday's games, Delle Donne continues to be one of the three collegiate superstars mentioned along with Baylor consensus player of the year Brittney Griner of the NCAA champion Bears and Skylar Diggins of the NCAA two-time runnersup Notre Dame in terms of WNBA teams seeming to be heading for the lottery.
Right now, Tulsa, Washington, and Phoenix in that order have the three worst records but are in a tight battle, while New York is the fourth-team in the lottery hunt. More about all that will be in the WNBA roundup.
In term of the immediate futue Delaware was announced as one of 16 teams in the Preseason Women's NIT.
Glancing at the field, the Blue Hens will be tested right from the opening tip -- the bracket will be announced next week -- because Delaware seems likely to be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed depending on how the Blue Hens will be compared with North Carolina.
The Tar Heels were not ranked at the end of the 2012 season and did not make the NCAA tournament while Delaware in its first year earning national rankings -- thanks in a large part to Delle Donne -- finished in the top 10 and advanced to the second round of the Big Dance with a No. 3 seed.
The other 14 teams are Davidson, Duquesne, Georgetown, Grambling State, Illinois State, Iowa, Kennessaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Morehead State, Northern Illiniois, Sacred Heart, and Sam Houston.
Considering how geographics come into play, it wouldn't be surprising to see Delaware open with Sacred Heart. The event involves a three-game guarantee format no matter what happens in the first or second rounds.
Pierce Joins Saint Joseph's Staff
Former Central High star Jada Pierce, who also played at Division II West Chester in the suburbs, is returning to her native city following a two-year stint as an assistant at the United States Military Academy guiding the Army women's fortunes in the Patriot League.
She will be an assistant to Cindy Griffin with the Hawks, replacing Chris Day who took a similar job at Indiana under new coach Curt Miller, who had been the successful coach at Bowling Green.
Further details can be found on the Hawks website.
-- Mel
posted by Mel Greenberg | 4:24 AM
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