A new era in Missouri State women’s basketball was officially ushered in on April 9, 2007, with Nyla Milleson’s appointment as head coach. Having coached in Springfield for the past 15 years and witnessing firsthand the heyday of Lady Bear basketball, it didn’t take the new Missouri State boss long to assess her program and chart a course of action.
"Our expectations are centered, both on and off the court, on the pride associated with being a Lady Bear," Milleson stated. "This community’s support of women’s basketball is what helped build the Lady Bear program and it’s still so essential today."
"And there is no question that this program needs to be one of the top programs in the Missouri Valley Conference and return to national prominence."
Those are lofty expectations, considering Missouri State won just seven games - its lowest win total in 18 seasons - in 2006-07 and finished last in conference play for the first time ever. But not if you look closely at what Milleson was able to accomplish in building the Drury University program from scratch. In just seven years as head coach, Milleson chalked up a gaudy .837 winning percentage, led the Lady Panthers to six conference titles and five multiple-round appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament, highlighted by a national runner-up finish in 2003-04. Drury was the winningest Division II program in the nation over the past four seasons, and Milleson’s 185-36 overall mark netted an average of just over 26 wins a year.
Milleson will have some tools to work with in her inaugural season at MSU. Led by All-MVC first-teamer Tahnee Balerio, the Lady Bears return 86 percent of their scoring and nearly 67 percent of their rebounding from a year ago. Additionally, seven newcomers will lend some much-needed depth to a Lady Bear squad that never fully recovered from a rash of early-season injuries in 2006-07.
The Lady Bears’ first-year coach hopes to bring to the Hammons Student Center floor the same up-tempo style of play that her Drury teams were known for. While Milleson believes she has players who can play and excel in her system, she also recognizes that there will likely be a period of adjustment.
"Obviously, when it comes to philosophy, we have a certain way we want to do things," Milleson said. "Offensively, we’re going to run and score points. But the bottom line is you’ve got to coach to your kids’ strengths and weaknesses."
Milleson plans to rely on her clubs’ athleticism in employing an aggressive, pressuring style of defense. "We’ll primarily use man-to-man and just get out and guard people," Milleson added. "At some point, we’d like to be able to pressure 94 feet for extended periods of time."
Perhaps the biggest changes in store for the Missouri State women involve a shift in the general mindset and approach to the game of basketball. But Milleson believes her team is up for the challenge. "We need to improve every day we step on the court," she said. "Not only in the game of basketball, but in terms of our team chemistry and the way we approach and want to play the game, there has to be improvement every time we step on the floor. If we can accomplish that then I think the other areas will fall into place as far as being competitive. At this level it really is about the conference season and preparing for the conference tournament. If we take care of business on a daily basis, then I think we’ll have a good chance to be successful when it matters most."
Senior Strength
Missouri State’s returning senior co-captains, Tahnee Balerio and Tiff Terwelp, shouldered a large portion of the offensive load last year, particularly in the first half of the season when the Lady Bears were beset by injuries.
Each enjoyed a breakout season in 2006-07, with Balerio leading the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring en route to earning first team all-conference honors, and Terwelp finishing second in the league in rebounding. Two of the MVC’s most experienced players with a combined 178 games played and 120 starts in their Missouri State careers, they will be called upon to lead a young Lady Bear team once again in 2007-08.
"These two have been leaders in this program for four years," Milleson said. "Any time there is change, it is difficult, especially when you’re a senior. I’ve been really proud of the way they’ve given our staff a chance and how they have tried to do things the way we’ve asked. Teams are only as good as their leaders, and we’re going to expect a lot from them."
Backcourt
Balerio scored 30-plus points in four contests in 2006-07, becoming just the third Lady Bear to achieve that feat in a single season. Her 18.5-point per game average was the 10th-best single-season scoring mark at MSU and ranked 35th nationally. More than just a scorer, Balerio recorded more than half of Missouri State’s 9.7 assists per game last year, ranking third overall in the MVC with a 4.9 apg. average. The Buhler, Kan., native also finished third in the conference in three-point field goals per game (2.29) and minutes played (36.6), and moved onto the Lady Bears’ career top 10 lists for free throw percentage (eighth), three-point field goals (ninth) and three-point field goal attempts (eighth). Entering this season, Balerio needs 74 assists and just 24 free throws to reach the MSU top 10 for those categories as well. Additionally, she is a mere 135 points away from becoming the 19th player in school history to surpass the career 1,000-point mark.
"We’re going to look to her at both ends of the floor for a lot of things," Milleson stated. "It’s probably going to be a bit of an adjustment after operating in a different system for three years, but she’s talented enough to excel in any system."
Balerio will have plenty of help on the perimeter in a suddenly-crowded Missouri State backcourt. Junior Maggie Dwyer gets her first taste of game action with the Lady Bears after transferring from Michigan State and sitting out all of last season. At 6-1, Dwyer has the ability to play both inside and on the perimeter, and Milleson thinks she will have an immediate impact.
"I don’t think words can describe what Maggie can bring to this team, both as a leader and in terms of what she can do on the floor," said Milleson. "She’s strong, she’s quick and she can hit the three, a big-time difference maker for us. She’s going to be able to help us at both ends of the floor."
Sophomore Roxy Stiles started the final 26 contests of the 2006-07 season, logging just over 31 minutes per ballgame. The Claflin, Kan., product averaged 8.4 points per game, good for fourth on the club. Another sophomore, Melissa Busby, led the team in three-point shooting as a freshman, connecting on 36.4 percent (48-of-132) of her attempts from beyond the arc. Milleson thinks both will play pivotal roles once again, given their collective athleticism and the added confidence having a year of college basketball under their belts will provide.
A host of newcomers could factor into the Lady Bears perimeter rotation as well. Junior college transfer Tiffany Coppage comes to Missouri State as a three-point specialist and should provide a boost in an area the Lady Bears ranked next-to-last in the Missouri Valley Conference last year.
Freshman Jasmyne Watson will spell Balerio at the point, but Milleson also feels the Houston, Texas, native complements her senior All-America candidate well, and expects the duo to form one of the quicker, more physical backcourts in the MVC when they are on the floor together.
Marisha Brown is another freshman the Lady Bears are counting on to step in and contribute immediately. The Kansas City, Mo., native’s athleticism will be evident in a number of ways, according to Milleson.
"She’s a big guard that can rebound, slash, pull up, shoot the three, and we’re going to expect her to be a lock-down defender," Milleson said. "She’s going to be a key player for us."
Freshman Janette Jackson will also vie for time in the Lady Bears’ backcourt. The versatile Denver-area product led the entire state of Colorado in rebounding and ranked among the leaders in steals and assists as a junior at Thomas Jefferson High.
Frontcourt
Terwelp was the Lady Bears’ third-leading scorer (10.2 ppg.) and second-leading shooter from the field (.444) last season, and is the Valley’s top returning rebounder after averaging 8.6 boards per contest as a junior.
The Quincy, Ill., product posted eight double-doubles and led MSU in rebounding 16 times last year en route to becoming just the 16th player in Missouri State history to top the 500 mark in both career points and rebounds. She enters her senior season having played in 91 contests, just 32 games shy of cracking the MSU career Top 10 list in that category.
"I think Tiff can be an unsung hero for us," Milleson said. "She’s going to be a leader by example and we may see an expanded role for her in terms of her ability to play inside, as well as step outside and knock down a shot here and there. She’s going to do whatever it takes to make this team successful."
Breton Wyett joins Terwelp on the Lady Bears’ frontline after finishing the 2006-07 season as the MVC’s leading shot-blocker (1.96 bpg.), as well as the club’s second-leading scorer (10.4 ppg.) and rebounder (5.0 rpg.), despite averaging just over 22 minutes of playing time per outing. The Edmond, Okla., native was dominant at times last season, especially during a January stretch in which she posted three straight 20-plus point games and led MSU in scoring four contests in a row. In just two years as a Lady Bear, Wyett has already ascended to the No. 2 spot on the school’s all-time blocked shot chart with 88.
But Milleson thinks even bigger things are in store for the 6-3 junior and is eager to see Wyett emerge as a consistent offensive force in the paint. "Breton has a load of talent," stated Milleson. "Her challenge is to figure out how to bring it day-in, day-out. If she can accomplish that, then there’s no question she can be one of the best post players in the Valley. She’s made great strides this spring and summer, and we’re looking forward to seeing what she can do."
Sophomore Ashley Lord started 18 games as a freshman and, at 6-4, represents another imposing post presence for Missouri State. Lord struggled offensively in 2006-07, shooting just .354 from the floor, but came through in several big spots for the Lady Bears. She pulled down 11 rebounds in each of MSU’s two biggest wins of the season, a 71-56 victory over Oregon and an 83-76 road win over Indiana State.
Milleson also anticipates receiving interior help from a pair of newcomers. Jacque Griggs, a freshman from Kansas City and the daughter of former Lady Bear Kimberly Scoggin, can do a little of everything and should see time both in the paint and on the perimeter. Missouri State volleyball standout Jamie Adams is expected to join the Lady Bears in December following the conclusion of her final collegiate volleyball campaign. The Liberty, Mo., native, who will have two years of basketball eligibility remaining, earned second team All-MVC honors and helped the volleyball Bears claim their first-ever NCAA Tournament win last fall.
Veteran Clubs Prominent in Valley
The Missouri Valley Conference figures to once again provide a strong challenge for the Lady Bears. Each of the Valley’s top four regular season finishers in 2006-07, as well as MVC Tournament champion Drake, return at least three starters in what figures to be a highly-contested conference race.
"I think the thing about the Valley is that you have such quality coaches who recruit good kids to good programs," Milleson said. "Every year it’s going to be a challenge. You’re always going to have to battle the teams that are expected to be at the top, as well as one or two surprises that always seem to emerge."
Defending regular season champ Southern Illinois was one of those surprise teams a year ago. Picked to finish seventh in the league’s preseason poll, the Salukis went 16-2 in conference play and finished 21-11 overall in 2006-07 to capture their first-ever Valley title. Dana Eikenberg’s club will have a hard time sneaking up on its MVC peers this season, as SIU welcomes back three starters from last year’s squad, including second-team all-conference guard Jayme Sweere and junior guard Erica Smith, an honorable mention All-MVC pick.
"Southern Illinois has a nice nucleus back," said Milleson. "And the type of season they had always gives you momentum going into the next year."
Illinois State also enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006-07, finishing second in the conference and 22-11 overall, and figures to challenge for the title again this year. The Redbirds are led by MVC Player of the Year Kristi Cirone, who averaged a league-best 19.3 points in conference play. Sophomores Nicolle Lewis and Kenyatta Shelton are also back and form a powerful one-two punch in the post for ISU.
Drake also figures to factor in the Valley race with the return of all five starters from last year’s MVC Tournament championship club. The Bulldogs also get 2006 All-MVC first-teamer Jill Martin back for 2007-08 after the senior forward missed all but two games a year ago due to injury.
Indiana State and Evansville are two more teams that should make the Valley race all the more interesting. Each returns the majority of its starting lineup, as well as a solid and deep supporting cast from last season.
In 2008, the Missouri Valley Conference will move its postseason tournament to a neutral site for the first time in the 16-year history of the event. The 10-team State Farm MVC Tournament will be held at Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo., beginning with two opening-round games on Thursday, March 13 and concluding with the championship game on Sunday, March 16.
Tough Non-Conference Schedule Awaits
The Lady Bears will test their mettle early in the 2007-08 season with a formidable non-conference schedule that includes contests against three 2007 NCAA Tournament teams, as well as a season-opening matchup at traditional power Texas. Missouri State will play 14 home games and a total of 10 regular-season contests against clubs that earned postseason bids last year, including games with NCAA participants Wisconsin-Green Bay, DePaul, Oral Roberts and reigning MVC champion Drake.
"We’re very eager for November to arrive," Milleson stated. " We think we’ve got a great balance of matchups in our non-conference schedule that will certainly challenge us each time out and prepare us for conference play. But we also feel like we can compete with each of these teams and we’re excited about all the possibilities that the season holds."
With the anticipated dedication of JQH Arena just one year away, the Lady Bears will kick off their final home season in Hammons Student Center with a Nov. 17 matchup against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Last year, Wisconsin-Green Bay went 29-4, won the Horizon League title and posted a first-round NCAA Tournament win over New Mexico.
The Lady Bears’ will face a trio of potential postseason participants on the road in December, beginning with a Dec. 1 matchup against DePaul in Chicago. Another tough road game awaits MSU on Dec. 15, when the Lady Bears travel to Tulsa to take on Oral Roberts University, a team that went 22-11 a year ago. Finally, MSU will cap its non-conference schedule with a trip to Western Kentucky (Dec. 29). The Lady Toppers went 23-9 in 2006-07, advancing all the way to the semifinal round of the WNIT.
