2023-24 Season

[soofooyote]

First look at the squad tonight in our exhibition game against Wayne State. Excited to see the women back in action, especially all those players we didn't get to see much last year. Praying for better health and the W's will come!

[kiyoat]

Oct 30, 2023 10:15:55 GMT -6 soofooyote said:

...  Praying for better health and the W's will come!

Hoping to see the exciting brand of basketball that we saw early on last year before the injuries.  We really should be a high-scoring team with lots of 3-point shooters and pace.  The bigger question is if we can play lockdown defense while pushing the pace?  I'm thinking of a team like Denver a few years ago under coach Turgeon, but hopefully with a better caliber of athlete all down the roster.  I could see Carley Duffney in a role similar to Denver's Madison Nelson (2020): a fast stretch-4 that scores a lot in transition.  Nelson was taller, but Duffney is just as fast.

[yote18]

I’m hopeful that last seasons outcome was just a one time thing and we can get back on track this season. Our defense will have to be a lot better this season to win the league tho. I anticipate some of the defensive concerns to roll over to a few of the first non-con games as we get readjusted but those should be worked out by conference play. If not then we better buckle up for a lot of high scoring games.

As for the exhibition, Yotes by 100.

[kiyoat]

Interesting new interview with Asst Coach Mike Jewitt on the YoteCast!

goyotes.com/sports/2019/8/28/yotecast-podcast.aspx

9:55 to 22:10

some selected quotes: (listen to the whole thing if you are interested)

"I got out of coaching at SDSU because I got tired of not seeing my own kids's stuff... It gave me an opportunity to spend much more time with (my middle son), and chased my youngest around to travel softball during the Summer.  So I don't regret doing that, because you don't get those opportunities back.

.... but it wasn't too far in, when you realize that administration is often an 'island'.  Unless things go sour, or people are unhappy, you have to be real purposeful in going out and trying to connect, and building relationships with students and student-athletes.  And that's the part that really brought me back.  I missed those relationships.  Believe it or not, I missed recruiting.  I really enjoyed recruiting.  Building relationships with families, selling your product.  Convincing student-athletes and families why this is the best option... and then building that trust once they come.... You're pushing them and challenging them beyond what they probably think they are capable of, but because you've established trust, then they are on-board with it.

That, and then there's the competitive side of me.  There's nothing like preparation, getting your team ready; there's nothing like in-game adjustments - where you've gotta try and counter what your opponent's doing....

It wasn't too long into that administrative role.... if there were a (coaching) opportunity that keeps me in the area, and I can still get to my kids's stuff, ... then I would jump at it.  And this is the place."

So Why USD?
"One thing, as a born-and-raised South Dakota kid, I believe that high school basketball in this state is special.  And in college basketball (not just D-1), there are a lot of really special basketball programs, and people support them... I might have been at SDSU for nearly a decade, but I know how passionate and supportive the Yote fan-base is.  That was also a part of it.  The history and success of the program.  The resources are here to be successful.  That's a big factor.

And I knew Kayla.  I knew her husband Rick probably a bit better.  He was an assistant on the men's staff at SW MN State when I was the head women's coach there.  So when I met with her, and she said, hey, this is what I'm looking for (politely telling me she needed an old man with experience), I thought: hey, this is a good fit!  I can do that.  And it has been.... She has given me a voice, and I appreciate that.  She has trusted me with a lot of responsibility.  But it's also an opportunity to help her establish her OWN philosophy, and be supportive in that role, too."

"I'm a South Dakotan.  And I want South Dakota kids and families to do well.  When I was at Augie I wanted to beat the U and beat State.  When I was at State I wanted to beat the U.  And now that I'm at the U I want to beat State.  But outside of that, I want our local kids to have success at whatever level they're competing at.... It's good for the state, and we've got to support one-another.  I'll do that no matter where I'm at.

[kiyoat]

more from Mike:

Is it strange for you wearing red?
"Honestly, its probably more of a conversational piece for the passionate fans of both schools.  For me it's about coaching the kids in the program, and trying to provide them with the best experience.  And helping our staff in any way possible.  No matter where I'm at, that's going to be the goal and purpose moving forward."

What do you like about this year's team?
"I like their eagerness, coachability... there's a hunger there where they want to get better, keep improving, they want to be challenged.... We've got a variety of offensive weapons, where last year we may have been more one-dimensional...."

[MD]

Including the exh game, the Yotes are 15-68 (22%)from three. I'd sure be in favor of that number improving starting tonight.

[hoopsmom]

Currently, Charlie Creme has South Dakota as the automatic qualifier for the Summit League.

[90yote]

Until conference play begins, I believe he goes by non-conference winning percentage.