August 8, 2023: Recent News & Notes in D3 WBB, Top 30 ranking coming soon
It’s about time that I showed up for another post! Been busy the last several weeks (watching my Chicago Cubs soar in the NL Central!), but as always, I’ve still kept close tabs on the latest happenings in the world of D-III women’s hoops. As usual, there’s been no shortage of news, some of which I plan on noting here. I’ve also been crunching the numbers (with some significant help from analytics guru Scott Peterson…thanks Scott!) for my Pre-Preseason Top 30. I’ve changed the ranking several times already, and it will probably change again before I actually release it. But it’ll be coming soon. Plan is to release it in groups of five, starting with the #25-#30 teams and going down to the Top 5.
Starting with a coaching carousel update…Johns Hopkins announced its new head women’s basketball coach today. Rodney Rogan was named to the position after “an extensive national search”, and comes to JHU by way of Rhodes, where he led the Lynx for four seasons.
His track record was certainly solid in his time at Rhodes, building the program into an SAA power. They went 40-11 in conference play during his time in Memphis and were 67-28 overall. Each of the last three SAA Tournament Titles were won by Rhodes, so he certainly knows how to build a winning program.
He inherits a strong national program too, as JHU is coming off a 21-7 season in 2022-23. It does feel like JHU is a step up from Rhodes, though when you look at it, there are several parallels. Both are strong academic schools, which plays into recruiting, and the Centennial Conference, like the SAA, is often a one-bid league.
The schedule laid out for JHU this season is a challenging one, with opening weekend matchups against WashU and NYU, as well as a duel with Chicago just before New Year’s. Also worth noting is the fact that Rhodes will now need to find a new head coach…soon. I’d expect a hire to be made by September at the latest, and would not be surprised if Judi Vigneulle is named head coach. She joined the coaching staff as an assistant back in 2019, and has been with the program for all of its recent success. She also had a big role in recruiting the entire current roster at Rhodes, so that’s something for the administration to consider too.
I’ve noticed a few notable schedules released within the last week or two…some are stronger than others, but I am finding more and more key matchups that we’ll be talking about come November and December. Another installment of “Schedule Analysis” will be coming very soon, but for now, here’s some brief notes on a few of the schedules I’ve recently looked at!
Hardin-Simmons (ASC): A Nov. 2 exhibition at D1 Baylor is cool, as you don’t often see D3s playing power conference teams. Looking at the regular season, I’ll be interested to see the Nov. 25 matchup vs Trinity (TX), and I like that they are traveling to Emory on Dec. 30. Good out-of-region game for HSU. The ASC should have great depth once again, with at least a few noteworthy contenders.
UW-River Falls (WIAC): This one doesn’t have a ton of high-ranking opponents in non-conference, but they should get their fair share of RRO opportunities in WIAC play. Scott has the projected SOS at .623, which is solid. I like that they will get to play WashU at the Wartburg Tournament coming out of Christmas.
UW-Stout (WIAC): The defending co-WIAC Regular Season Champs have a good mix of non-conference opposition. Playing UW-Superior, Crown, and Northland isn’t going to be a resume booster, but a neutral court game vs Puget Sound on the opening weekend and at road duel at Gustavus Adolphus make this schedule intriguing.
Williams (NESCAC): At first glance, this isn’t anything to get too excited about, but as usual, the NESCAC schedule should help Williams a lot. There’s a good balance in the non-conference portion, with some upper-tier northeastern teams and some lower-tier opponents. Scott’s model projects the SOS to be .631, which is a plus, and they’ll get games against Springfield, Babson, and possibly, Rhode Island College. Hartford is the season opener and could be an interesting matchup on the road as well.
Emory (UAA): Good scheduling here by head coach Misha Jackson and her staff. The season opener is against Christopher Newport on a neutral court, and a road matchup against Washington & Lee and a home game against Hardin-Simmons also highlights the schedule. Games against Sewanee and Piedmont may not help their SOS, but playing in the UAA more than makes up for that. Projected SOS: .615.
The season is getting closer, and the start of the fall semester at many campuses across the country over the next few weeks is evidence of that. This is also D-III Week, celebrating the 50th anniversary of this great division. D-III has been such a cool community to become a part of for me personally over the last few years. There’s a camaraderie and passion found at this level that is remarkable. It’s college athletics in its purest form and I’m here for it. Can’t wait for another great year of covering D-III sports! Have a great day! I’ll check back in soon!