#HLWBB Preview: IUPUI

November 02

Cam Fuller

IUPUI Jaguars

Last year: 24-9 overall, 12-4 Summit League

Coach: Austin Parkinson (8th year)

Team Preview

Have you ever had a really bad headache? One where you take two extra-strength Tylenol, try to lay down in a dark room, and yet the pain just won’t go away? That’s what it’s like trying to score against Austin Parkinson’s IUPUI Jaguars, who will compete in the Horizon League for the first time this year. The pressure is relentless and, for opponents, terribly unpleasant.

Eight Summit League teams journeyed on the road to play IUPUI last year; not a single one emerged with a victory. SEC heavyweight Missouri made that trip and got rudely turned away with a 28-point loss, their largest defeat of the season. These newcomers to the conference aren’t here to take in the scenery; they’re out to win games and shake up the Horizon League world order.

One name that Horizon League fans will soon become quite familiar with is that of Danielle Lawrence. The Jaguars’ senior guard is coming off consecutive First-Team All-Summit League selections. She can beat you from the perimeter and is adept at drawing contact and getting to the foul line, where she converts at a near-80% clip. Lawrence was given All-Second team status in this year’s preseason Horizon League polls, something Coach Parkinson is a bit skeptical of.

“There’s no question that Danielle will have a chip on her shoulder,” Parkinson said. “I’m not sure if they’re just hazing the new kid or if they didn’t do their research, but she is a top three player in this league.”

Lawrence will be joined in the backcourt by junior Sydney Hall and sophomore Holly Hoopingarner. Hall was one of the country’s deadliest long-range shooters last year, not only sinking 70 3-pointers, but doing so at a 45% clip. Hoopingarner, an excellent 3-point shooter herself (47%), is capable of breaking defenses down and getting open looks for teammates. Parkinson will watch closely during the exhibition and early non-conference slate to determine whether both guards will be in the starting lineup or if one will be used as his first sub off the bench.

Protecting the rim for the Jaguars will be 6-foot-2 Tamya Sims, a transfer from Bradley that was named to the All-Defensive Team in the Missouri Valley Conference two years ago. Parkinson raves about Sims’ versatility and describes her as “potentially one of the top five or ten players in the league.”

Further depth will be provided by Jenna Gunn, a Jaguar mainstay oozing of poise and experience. Parkinson said of the senior Gunn, “She is going to be a much more aggressive player this year. I expect her to be a double-figure scorer.”

The Jaguars could also receive a major lift from true freshman Macee Williams, a punishing 6-foot-2 post player ranked as one of the top-75 recruits coming out of high school.

If ever a book wasn’t to be judged by its cover, or in this case, a #7 preseason ranking in the Horizon League polls, this would be that instance. The IUPUI women’s basketball program has been one of the most dependable in the country, having appeared in the WNIT four times in the last five seasons.

How that success will translate to a brand new league with all new opponents remains to be seen, but there’s an old sports axiom that states, “Defense always travels.”

For Austin Parkinson, Danielle Lawrence, and the rest of the IUPUI Jaguars, that refusal to be scored upon could make them the Horizon League’s surprise team in 2017-18.

Motor City Madness
Support the Jaguars at the 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Basketball Championships March 2-6 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Tickets can be purchased at campus box offices now and online starting December 15. For more information, click here.

#HLWBB Preview Schedule (10 am ET)

10/30/2017	UIC
10/31/2017	Northern Kentucky
11/1/2017	Youngstown State
11/2/2017	IUPUI
11/3/2017	Cleveland State
11/6/2017	Detroit Mercy
11/7/2017	Milwaukee
11/8/2017	Oakland
11/9/2017	Wright State
11/10/2017	Green Bay
11/13/2017	#HLWBB Preview

#HLMBB Preview Schedule (2 pm ET)

10/30/2017	IUPUI
10/31/2017	Cleveland State
11/1/2017	Milwaukee
11/2/2017	Youngstown State
11/3/2017	Green Bay
11/6/2017	Wright State
11/7/2017	Detroit Mercy
11/8/2017	UIC
11/9/2017	Northern Kentucky
11/10/2017	Oakland
11/13/2017	#HLMBB Preview