March 20, 2024
Postseason WNIT | 3/20/2024 11:05:34 PM
If you invite the Southern Indiana women’s basketball team to your get-together, you’re sure to add an upbeat, enthused group to the mix. Just don’t be surprised if they come across as a bit pushy.
Well, that’s just a whimsical take on how the Screaming Eagles have landed during their transition from Division II to D-I – the 2023-24 season marks Year 2 of the shift for USI, and the program made all kinds of noise by going 24-6 overall, cruising to the Ohio Valley Conference title and claiming the tournament championship as well. NCAA rules will keep the program out of postseason play for two more years, but the 2024 Postseason WNIT was there to engage Southern Indiana with appropriate affection as USI will host UIC (18-15) in Round 1 on Thursday.
For a team that was picked No. 6 in the preseason OVC poll, Southern Indiana definitely crashed the party, but head coach Rick Stein thinks the signs were evident early, even last year when USI went 12-17 in Year 1 of its D-I move.
“Those transition years are generally not easy, but looking back, we lost nine games in our conference by single digits. We were really close to more wins, but just didn’t finish it off,” said Stein, who’s been a USI fixture as a JUCO transfer player (1989-91) and assistant coach (1991-99) and then head coach of the women’s program ever since. “Our experience helped the returning group of seven, and we added pieces to the puzzle. They seemed to fit right. The expectations in the group were that we could do much better than sixth, and that’s led to some great things.”
Southern Indiana as a school kicked around the idea of moving up to D-I over many years, but the jump finally took shape just a few seasons back, made a lot easier to digest knowing the Ohio Valley would be the home conference.
“We’ve had good teams here playing for and winning championships at D-II, and when those things happen, the talk about D-I is out there,” Stein said. “In 2021-22, we found out in February we were moving up and playing in the Ohio Valley, and we were getting ready to play a league game in the Great Lakes Valley. The timing wasn’t right 25 or 30 years, but then it was right, and much of it, the Ohio Valley Conference is a perfect fit. The proximity of teams, the quality of the universities, the competitive fit, I think the timing was spot-on.
“Our returning group had the mindset, wanting to know what kind of championship could they win. We saw we could win the OVC regular season, and that tournament, and then go to the WNIT. They wanted to compete in that way. It put this group and those returning players in a good place. We’ve never worried about what we cannot get. We know what we signed up for.”
One thing opposing teams know is coming is the gritty play of junior Vanessa Shafford, a 5-foot-9 junior guard who averages team-best totals of 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. She tops out at 39 percent shooting from 3-point range, leads the team in steals and has functioned as the heart of the group as it navigates through the demands of D-I.
“Vanessa brings it every way to the court, every day. People saw right away that she could shoot, but her work ethic and going about getting better, she’s in the gym more than anybody we’ve ever had,” Stein said. “It’s not about just running her off the 3-point line. As a two-guard, she leads the team in rebounding, so her toughness to get the ball is important. She doesn’t need points to fill up a stat sheet.”
Senior forward Meredith Raley averages 12.2 ppg; senior center Madison Webb and freshman post Chloe Gannon also top out above 10 points per contest. But arguably, Southern Indiana rides highest when the defense is clicking. Opponents shot under 29 percent from 3-point range, under 36 percent overall, while USI had big advantages in points scored and rebounding margin.
“We do play fast, not too fast, but we push the ball,” Stein added. “How we defend and how we rebound is how we play, and that makes up for missed shots or occasional turnovers. But how we guard and rebound, that’s helps us get going the other way and make things happen.”
Stein on the WNIT – “On March 9, we cut down nets after the OVC tournament, and the best thing was to know we didn’t have to turn in the gear, and we get to practice more and more games are ahead with the WNIT. We’re thankful to still be playing, and this bunch has earned it. The mindset is to get better; this is national tournament that features so many good ones, and we play one right at the start. We’re excited to get our crowd in it, and we’re excited about the opportunity.”