2018-19 #HLWBB Preview: IUPUI
IUPUI Jaguars
Last season: 22-10 overall, 13-5 Horizon League
Head coach: Austin Parkinson (9th year)
By Joey Yashinsky, Horizon League Contributor. Follow on Twitter @OneSeatOver
Oftentimes, joining a new group or making a big change can be a challenge. There are policies to be learned and a familiarity that takes time to achieve. Nobody passes judgment when the new person in the office struggles to find the coffee machine or work the copier.
But then there’s Austin Parkinson and the IUPUI Jaguars. They entered the Horizon League last year, announced themselves loud and clear, and immediately took the conference by storm.
The Jaguars won their first Horizon League game by 36 points. They won the next four too, all by double-digits. Parkinson’s club grabbed eight wins in their first nine contests and finished 13-5 for a sterling second-place finish.
It’s safe to say they liked their new digs just fine.
“Our kids really loved being part of the Horizon League,” said Parkinson, now entering his ninth season at IUPUI. “I thought our kids felt rested for games when it came to travel. Being able to play opponents that we see on the recruiting trail made for a fun atmosphere. It was just a great experience and I know our kids enjoyed being part of the League.”
Parkinson has another terrific roster coming back to avoid any possibility of a sophomore slump. One sophomore in particular will be critical to that quest.
Macee Williams was recognized this past March as the best freshman in the Horizon League. A short off-season later, she has now been deemed the conference’s Preseason Player of the Year. Williams was an unstoppable force around the basket in her debut campaign. She averaged 13 points and eight rebounds while shooting an eye-popping 65% from the field. She fought for 108 offensive boards, a mark bested only by Lexi Smith of Wright State.
“I thought she would come in and have a significant impact, but what impressed me so much was her consistency,” said Parkinson. “It’s not like she would have a 25-point game and then score four. Her numbers, and the way she performed game in and game out, both on offense and defense, were incredibly consistent. She has a high motor and she’s got incredible hands. If the ball is within reach, she just pulls that thing out of the air. And I think she’s only going to get better and continue to improve.”
Williams will be flanked inside by Tamya Sims, a Preseason All-Conference second-team selection. The 6-2 redshirt senior gives IUPUI double-digit scoring on offense and top-flight defense on the other end. She turned away 29 shots last season, sixth-best total in the Horizon League.
“Tamya is probably going to start out on the wing for us this year,” said Parkinson. “She’s really gonna be a key to our team because of her versatility and who she can guard. There will be games where if the other team’s best player is a 4, she’ll guard a 4. If it’s a wing, she can guard a 2 or 3. It’ll be important for us that she stay out of foul trouble.”
Parkinson brings back an experienced backcourt with senior Sydney Hall and junior Holly Hoopingarner. Both guards can create off the dribble or get hot from 3-point territory. And when tight games need to be salted away at the foul line, Hoopingarner (87%) and Hall (78%) give the Jaguars two excellent options to shut the door.
“We were obviously very fortunate to have a kid like Danielle Lawrence that could just go get you a bucket,” said Parkinson. “I’m not sure we have that kind of player on our team this year, but I do expect Syd to shoot it a lot more like she did her sophomore year and think Holly is really going to take on a more assertive role. I would be shocked if she’s not a double-figure scorer this year, and she will probably start for us at the point. We’re gonna need both of them to step up.”
The IUPUI frontcourt will get a major boost in the form of Katelyn O’Reilly, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Florida Atlantic. The 6-foot forward shot just under 50% from the floor in her one season as an Owl.
“I have no doubt Katelyn is going to have an impact on our team,” said Parkinson. “She can play in the post, she can beat you off the dribble, and she is a very good passer. She knows how to get people involved and create for others. For us to have a successful year, she is going to be a big factor.”
Look for expanded roles for returning sophomores Morgan Allen and Sydney Roule. At 6-foot-2, Allen gives Parkinson another valuable option inside, where she could potentially back up or play right alongside Williams. Allen finished third on the team in blocks and could have a future place on the All-Defensive team. Roule is an excellent shooter who, when healthy, could become of the Horizon League’s top outside threats.
Of course, with any Parkinson-coached team, you can expect a tremendous defensive effort. In year one in the Horizon League, the Jaguars ranked second in points allowed at just 58 per game and led the conference by a wide margin in fewest opponent’s free throw attempts, meaning Parkinson’s team knows how to guard closely but also cleanly.
The IUPUI Jaguars won’t sneak up on anybody this year. The nine other schools will know about Williams and Sims and Hoopingarner and Hall. They’ll know about Parkinson’s trademark defense. But those things are not likely to matter.
These Jaguars are comfortably settled in their new home.
And now they are coming for a championship.