Brittany Mitch

[jimsumner]

Duke press release.

"Duke University redshirt junior Brittany Mitch has been granted her release from the Blue Devil women’s basketball program.

Mitch, who is a native of McLean, Va., saw action in 23 contests last season, while averaging 2.0 points, 1.0 assists and 0.9 rebounds. Over her career at Duke, Mitch played in 59 contests and averaged 2.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals.

“I enjoyed coaching Brittany this season, but understand and support her decision,” said Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. “We wish Brittany and her family all the best in the future.”

Mitch will remain at Duke in the fall and is expected to graduate in December of 2008 with a degree in biological anthropology and anatomy. She will pursue her graduate studies and remaining basketball eligibility at another institution."

No real surprise. She has been hampered by injuries and never regained her pre-injury mobility. With two guards coming in next season, it was difficult to invision a plausible sceanrio in which she got significant PT.

[devildeac]

Curse you, Jim. I can almost always tell when you start a thread with a player's name that it will not be good news. Best of luck to Brittany finishing her degrees and any more hoops she may decide to play. And a hearty thank you to her also for her efforts on the court.

[dukemomLA]

Can anyone closer to the Women's program give me a true heads up with what is going on? I'm a real fan of WBB and just can't get a handle on what's up with Duke at the moment. Thanks for any info.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I think it's great she's finishing her academics at Duke. I wondered last year what was up with her. I enjoyed watching her during her 1st year, but for whatever reason Coach P didn't find a place for her in her system. Best of luck to her, she can be a valuable asset to a team that uses her.

[bludev03]

Can anyone closer to the Women's program give me a true heads up with what is going on? I'm a real fan of WBB and just can't get a handle on what's up with Duke at the moment. Thanks for any info.

dukemom, I think you can see the handwriting on the wall:
a) Emily quit the team w/ about ten games left in her senior season and career. Only ten more games to play with her sister. She gave it up

b) Mitch has the chance to leave w/ the class she came in with (Abby, Careem). She gives it up.

c) No McD All-Americans in the freshman class (the first time ever this has happened)

d) Nneka Ogwumike, last year's #1 recruit and who made it clear it was 50/50 between Duke and Stanford because she was interested in medicine, wouldn't even make an official visit to a school that's located in a city whose nickname is the "City of Medicine"...

e) Because we failed to land Nneka, we are probably out of the running for her sister Chiney, who is the #1 player in 2010...

[jimsumner]

"No McD All-Americans in the freshman class (the first time ever this has happened)"

Really. First-time ever?

Don't you love it when people just make up stuff?

I knew it wouldn't take long for the McCallie-is-evil-folks to jump in on this.

Brittany came to Duke with a reputation as a smart player, with a good skill set but who was athletically challenged by ACC-perimeter standards. After a series of injuries, including a bad hip problem, she became even more athletically challenged.

It was painful watching her play last season. You could tell that she knew where she needed to be and what she needed to be doing. She just couldn't get there in time to do it. Duke is bringing in two freshmen guards this season, one of whom is a consensus top-20 player, McDonald's notwithstanding. So, there was simply no plausible way she was going to play.

Brittany is a smart woman, a very good student, and I'm pretty sure she'll be a success in whatever she endeavors to do. I hope she can continue her hoops career but I suspect it won't be at an ACC-equivalent program. Injuries end or negatively impact college athletic careers all the time and that's unfortunate, tragic even to those involved, but it doesn't necessarily signify anything larger.

Nobody jumped off the Goestenkors bandwagon when Laura Kurz, Rometra Craig, Brittany Hunter et. al. left for greener pastures. I suggest we take a deep breath and give McCallie more than one season before sending out the lynch mob.

[bludev03]

"No McD All-Americans in the freshman class (the first time ever this has happened)"

Really. First-time ever?

Don't you love it when people just make up stuff?

I knew it wouldn't take long for the McCallie-is-evil-folks to jump in on this.

Brittany came to Duke with a reputation as a smart player, with a good skill set but who was athletically challenged by ACC-perimeter standards. After a series of injuries, including a bad hip problem, she became even more athletically challenged.

It was painful watching her play last season. You could tell that she knew where she needed to be and what she needed to be doing. She just couldn't get there in time to do it. Duke is bringing in two freshmen guards this season, one of whom is a consensus top-20 player, McDonald's notwithstanding. So, there was simply no plausible way she was going to play.

Brittany is a smart woman, a very good student, and I'm pretty sure she'll be a success in whatever she endeavors to do. I hope she can continue her hoops career but I suspect it won't be at an ACC-equivalent program. Injuries end or negatively impact college athletic careers all the time and that's unfortunate, tragic even to those involved, but it doesn't necessarily signify anything larger.

Nobody jumped off the Goestenkors bandwagon when Laura Kurz, Rometra Craig, Brittany Hunter et. al. left for greener pastures. I suggest we take a deep breath and give McCallie more than one season before sending out the lynch mob.

Really, first time ever. Since the McD's girls' game inception in 2001 (I think), Duke has had a recruit in every game. This year was the first time it didn't happen.

Laura Kurz - brought nothing to the table worthy of a scholarship
Rometra Craig - bad chemistry; team was better when she left - addition by subtraction
Brittany Hunter - never wanted to play at Duke. The only reason why she came to Duke was b/c her parents wouldn't sign the LOI for UConn. When she became 18, she got the hello out of Duke.

Any more examples you would like reasons behind?

[Bluedawg]

I suggest we take a deep breath and give McCallie more than one season before sending out the lynch mob.

I'm in 100% agreement with this!

[jimsumner]

Lello Gebisa
LaNedra Brown
Olga Gvozdenovic
Janee Hayes
Juanita Hepburn
Brooke Smith
Crystal White
Wynter Whitley

Injuries, chemistry, PT, home-sickness. Lots of variables. The point is that programs lose players all the time; good players, bad players, good programs, bad programs, good reasons, bad reasons. So why would the departure of an oft-injured, end-of-the-bench player necessarily signal flaws in McCallie's program when the departure of other players didn't signal flaws in Goestenkors' program?

BTW, Laura Kurz averaged 15 ppg this past year in the Big East, so I would question your characterization that she has no talent. But if she had no talent, if Craig was a cancer, if Hunter was looking for a chance to bail from the beginning, then why isn't it any of this GG's fault? Or maybe that sort of thing just goes with the turf.

Folks, Gail's not coming back. Maybe Alleva botched the job search, maybe McCallie isn't ultimately the best person for the job. I liked Boyle, too. But I suspect I have more face-to-face contact with McCallie than most on this board and I've found her to be personable, intelligent, and engaging. I also know that the career folks in the Athletic Department share that view, at least the ones I've talked to, and I've talked to quite a few.

My contacts with the players have been formal and structured but none of those contacts suggests the level of dismay that others have seen. Maybe they're just good actors. She's different than Gail and an adjustment period is expected, even inevitable. Maybe McCallie morphs into the Wicked Witch when she closes that door for practice. I can't prove the negative but based on what I have seen of her, she would have to be clinically bi-polar to make the kind of transformation that her most vitrolic critics have laid out. I have no doubt that she yells at her players. So did Gail. So does Mike Krzyzewski. So does every other coach in the known universe.

So, I'm more than a bit skeptical and I think we're still in the evaluation mode not bring-out-the-lifeboat-mode.

Let's let this play out longer.

[JBDuke]

Lello Gebisa
LaNedra Brown
Olga Gvozdenovic
Janee Hayes
Juanita Hepburn
Brooke Smith
Crystal White
Wynter Whitley

Injuries, chemistry, PT, home-sickness. Lots of variables. The point is that programs lose players all the time; good players, bad players, good programs, bad programs, good reasons, bad reasons. So why would the departure of an oft-injured, end-of-the-bench player necessarily signal flaws in McCallie's program when the departure of other players didn't signal flaws in Goestenkors' program?

BTW, Laura Kurz averaged 15 ppg this past year in the Big East, so I would question your characterization that she has no talent. But if she had no talent, if Craig was a cancer, if Hunter was looking for a chance to bail from the beginning, then why isn't it any of this GG's fault? Or maybe that sort of thing just goes with the turf.

Folks, Gail's not coming back. Maybe Alleva botched the job search, maybe McCallie isn't ultimately the best person for the job. I liked Boyle, too. But I suspect I have more face-to-face contact with McCallie than most on this board and I've found her to be personable, intelligent, and engaging. I also know that the career folks in the Athletic Department share that view, at least the ones I've talked to, and I've talked to quite a few.

My contacts with the players have been formal and structured but none of those contacts suggests the level of dismay that others have seen. Maybe they're just good actors. She's different than Gail and an adjustment period is expected, even inevitable. Maybe McCallie morphs into the Wicked Witch when she closes that door for practice. I can't prove the negative but based on what I have seen of her, she would have to be clinically bi-polar to make the kind of transformation that her most vitrolic critics have laid out. I have no doubt that she yells at her players. So did Gail. So does Mike Krzyzewski. So does every other coach in the known universe.

So, I'm more than a bit skeptical and I think we're still in the evaluation mode not bring-out-the-lifeboat-mode.

Let's let this play out longer.

Thanks, Jim, for once again being the voice of reason.

[bludev03]

Lello Gebisa
LaNedra Brown
Olga Gvozdenovic
Janee Hayes
Juanita Hepburn
Brooke Smith
Crystal White
Wynter Whitley

Injuries, chemistry, PT, home-sickness. Lots of variables. The point is that programs lose players all the time; good players, bad players, good programs, bad programs, good reasons, bad reasons. So why would the departure of an oft-injured, end-of-the-bench player necessarily signal flaws in McCallie's program when the departure of other players didn't signal flaws in Goestenkors' program?

BTW, Laura Kurz averaged 15 ppg this past year in the Big East, so I would question your characterization that she has no talent. But if she had no talent, if Craig was a cancer, if Hunter was looking for a chance to bail from the beginning, then why isn't it any of this GG's fault? Or maybe that sort of thing just goes with the turf.

Folks, Gail's not coming back. Maybe Alleva botched the job search, maybe McCallie isn't ultimately the best person for the job. I liked Boyle, too. But I suspect I have more face-to-face contact with McCallie than most on this board and I've found her to be personable, intelligent, and engaging. I also know that the career folks in the Athletic Department share that view, at least the ones I've talked to, and I've talked to quite a few.

My contacts with the players have been formal and structured but none of those contacts suggests the level of dismay that others have seen. Maybe they're just good actors. She's different than Gail and an adjustment period is expected, even inevitable. Maybe McCallie morphs into the Wicked Witch when she closes that door for practice. I can't prove the negative but based on what I have seen of her, she would have to be clinically bi-polar to make the kind of transformation that her most vitrolic critics have laid out. I have no doubt that she yells at her players. So did Gail. So does Mike Krzyzewski. So does every other coach in the known universe.

So, I'm more than a bit skeptical and I think we're still in the evaluation mode not bring-out-the-lifeboat-mode.

Let's let this play out longer.

LaNedra Brown - Chemistry; again, addition by subtraction
Lello Gebisa - Wanted to play w/ her sister at Wisconsin
Olga - ACL injuries, plus she wanted to play on the Duke Tennis team
Janee Hayes - 9 month flu
Juanita Hepburn- before my time, so no clue about her
Brooke Smith - didnt have the talent to compete in G's system, nor the athleticism to compete in the ACC (the Slac-10 is a cupcake compared to the ACC)
Crystal White - Chemistry; addition by subtraction
Wynter Whitley - she had personal/psychological issues that were documented. no clue if she used her elgibility

Oh, for Laura Kurtz averaging 15 points for Nova? You're talking about a system that is designed to milk the shot clock to under 5 seconds, then lauch a three pointer. Players dont go for O Boards, no 1 on 1, no fast break transitioning, no full court defense. Laura didnt have the skill set nor athleticism to compete in the ACC or on the biggest stage. VanillaNova is perfect for her. Oh, you failed to mention that VanillaNova finished 12th in the Big Least...

[GopherBlue]

... I think you can see the handwriting on the wall...

Rather than insisting this announcement constitutes "handwriting on the wall" and using it as an excuse to get out the torches and pitchforks - chill out and look at the facts associated with this announcement.

- Brittany will complete her undergraduate degree at the end of fall semester;
- Brittany, largely due to serious injuries, has been buried on the depth chart, with little prospect for meaningful playing time in the coming seasons;
- Brittany has two years of eligible playing time remaining;
- Brittany has expressed interest in post-graduate studies.

By leaving the team at this time, Brittany can complete her undergrad degree and has the opportunity to begin (and likely complete) a graduate program while on scholarship at a school where she has the potential to play a significant role on the basketball team. Undergrad and grad degrees without debt, while playing major college basketball - makes sense to me.

Go for it, Brittany - congrats & best of luck!

[MHTorringjan]

Thanks to the people who've spoken with a level head in this thread. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm behind Coach P for at the very least three seasons.

As for Brittany, I feel really bad that she's going to finish her career elsewhere. I've enjoyed watching her play, even despite the injuries and everything else, and was looking forward to seeing how she improved with an additional year. From a fellow graduate student, here's to hoping that she finds the school that's right for her and her graduate career! :-)

M.H.

[jimsumner]

BluDev,

You're missing the point. Players transfer or leave eligibility on the table all the time. If Brittany bailing is by definition a reflection on McCallie, then the players who left under GG have to be a reflection on Goestenkors.

I would say that it's a reflection on neither but simply the nature of the college-basketball-universe. For crying out loud, Duke was down to eight players one year because of attrition. Nobody was calling for Gail's head then.

Again on Kurz (or Smith). If they didn't have the ability to play in the ACC, then why were they recruited? If we give the same scrutinty to Goestenkors that we give to McCallie, wouldn't that mean Gail can't evaluate talent? Or offers scholarships to people she knows can't play? Doesn't she know that Gebisa is going to be home sick?

Of course, not. This isn't a science, it's an art involving flawed human beings and people make mistakes, grow, don't grow, change their minds, get hurt, get sick. Add a new coach, a new system, throw that into the cauldron of arguably the nation's top college conference, and you're going to have some wobbles. Give them a chance to work it out.

[pacificrounder]

c) No McD All-Americans in the freshman class (the first time ever this has happened)

d) Nneka Ogwumike, last year's #1 recruit and who made it clear it was 50/50 between Duke and Stanford because she was interested in medicine, wouldn't even make an official visit to a school that's located in a city whose nickname is the "City of Medicine"...

e) Because we failed to land Nneka, we are probably out of the running for her sister Chiney, who is the #1 player in 2010...

I am less interested in what has already happened and more interested in these three recruiting points. Is next year's class sub-par, or are they strong players not selected to the McD team? Any ideas on why they weren't selected if they are strong players?

Why wouldn't Ogwumike visit a school with one of the best medical centers in the nation? Was it that she instantly fell in love with Stanford, that the staff didn't make her a priority, or that she wasn't a good fit for our system? (Though, being a #1 recruit and having a little sister who is a #1 recruit might make it smart to fit them into the system, within reason.)

Who are we recruiting for the upcoming seasons? I admit, after following WBB closely for a few years (thanks to my sister who followed it closely and I got a lot of updates from), I have fallen out of the loop.

[fadero]

The offense last year was brutal to watch. It was poorly designed for the talent on the team. Hardly any screens were ever set, player rotation, and ball movement was minimal. We failed to take advantage of our speed at point guard. Because so few screens were set, Abby was in a shooting funk all year. Our offense was so predictable we were at an all time high in turnovers. In big games against elite teams our offense looked high schoolish. I could go on and on.

[dukemomLA]

I've been a Coach P fan from the start. I wish her well and support the WBB program always.

My post about "what's going on" was prompted by my dilemma as to what we DBR fanatics can possibly do to add encouragement and added support to the women's program, players, coaches, etc.

Obviously I can't attend most games. I've sent positive, supportive emails to Coach P on a regular basis. Is there anything else we can do?

[chrishoke]

Like others, I thank Jim for his level headed responses.

On recruiting, for next year Hoopgurlz ranks our incoming recruits thus:

#13 Shay Selby
#21 Kathleen Scheer
#61 Chelsia Hopkins

[ohioguy2]

O.K. I will admit that I was not happy with the play of the team last year. I saw four or five games at Cameron and a few others on TV or away. There was a lack of flow to the offense and some of the players never really reacted well in the match up zone. That being said, it is simply not possible at this time to place the blame on a certain position or coach. I will not rehash all that has been said, but such a dramatic change in philosophy is hard for players to adjust to, mentally or physically. Also, some of the people responding here need to quit their day jobs and become coaches. They obviously are just five players away from a national championship.

[cspan37421]

I agree P should be given time for her system to develop. There's been a lot of criticism over quality of play, players quitting on P and the team, recruiting supposedly falling off. Yes, some of these things can be random (like injuries). But for a lot of people, their gut is telling them that if it was just random, why aren't we seeing some randomly good news coming out of the program?

By no means should we bail on P or the team. By the same token, though, I wouldn't extend her until we're sure it the trend is just random luck or a temporary transitional period to a different system.