You are absolutely right Lusty in regards to games being a bit closer to home.  The attendance and atmosphere in many gyms would definitely be better.  However, if they did that we would not have the opportunity to see what I believe will be a great game tomorrow when F&M plays Va. Wesleyan.  Should be a great game between two great programs!!

Brookland,

You absolutely made my point!  You play whatever you can to maximize your team's abilities.  Having been a coach, I know that I have had teams that just were not good zone defensive teams.  There could be many reasons why that is the case, such as bad foot speed, lack of height, etc.  Coaches have to make that evaluation in practice. 

Lusty,
Not to be disagreeable, but I am watching the Va. Wesleyan - DVC game and the gym is full.  You have to remember, the second game features the home team and generally the attendance is much higher for that game.  I have been to many Division III playoff games in the past and this is almost always the case.  Each of the visiting teams will normally get a certain amount of tickets for a pre-sale, while the home team gets the rest.  Thus, the reason home court is such an advantage!

Don't read too much into what is said in a pre-game interview.  During the two games that Scranton and Juniata played during the regular season the Lady Royals were out-rebounded in both games.  I have a feeling that Coach Strong did not like the way his team played zone defense.  I also think that he was probably fearful that if they did play zone, or a gimmick such as a box-and-one or triangle-and-two, that they would get pounded on the glass.  As I said before there are a lot of variables that go into putting together a game plan. 

Augie, I think that you missed my point.  The fact of the matter is that none of us have any idea why things played out the way they did.  Was it a chemistry issue?  Were there discipline issues?  Were the players limited in the things that they could do?  Without being at practice every day and being inside the coaches office there is no real way to tell why things played out the way they did.  Sometimes teams just don't match up well against a particular opponent.  It happens on every level and coaches feel helpless in those situations.  No matter what they try against that particular team, nothing seems to work.  All I am saying is that to blame the coaching staff is a bit unfair since we don't know all of the particulars. 

First and foremost let me say that I have no affiliation with Scranton or their coaching staff.  However, I cannot believe that you would blame the coaching staff after a 19-win season.  Mike Strong has proven time and time again that he is an outstanding coach.  Just because you do not make the NCAA Tournament does not mean that the season was not a success.  I know many coaches who would love to have won 19 games this season.  As a former women's basketball coach I can tell you that sometimes things just don't click.  Sometimes the chemistry isn't great.  Sometimes you just don't have that one extra player to get you over the top.  And sometimes players just don't make plays when they need to.  I saw the Lady Royals play this season and they just seemed to lack something.  That happens in sports.  Understand, not making the NCAA Tournament is unusual for Scranton's women, but for many programs making the NCAA field is unusual.  Remember, Duke had an aweful year not too long ago.  Based on your comments North Carolina should have gotten rid of Roy Williams and Duke should have definitely let Coach K go.  Both had down years with those programs.  Just realize that 19 wins is a very good season.  Maybe not NCAA worthy, but still very good.  I am sure that the Scranton coaching staff will work hard to try and make the team better next season.