University Athletic Association

[BachDog]

   It's possible that Brandeis makes it to Sweet Sixteen, I'll give you that...But it's not probable. And yes, NYU looks great when their "star" puts up 30+ (only the second time this season thats happened, by the way), but they also have three people averaging double figures and two more averaging 8 or more points.

  I agree NYU is not really a sleeper at all, but to look at the d3hoops.com rankings, you'd think they were. The UAA, I think we all agree, is one of the toughest, if not the toughest in D3 Women's Basketball, and NYU dominated; beating Wash. U. by the biggest margin in their history, after a loss to the Bears. When they're pumped up, you can't stop them--they'll be pumped up at home for two rounds...Fixing to be a great tournament!!

  And I would like to see Brandeis make it to the Sweet Sixteen (despite the echos of DEIS! DEIS! DEIS! ringing in my ears), but it'll be tough. Good luck to all!!

 

[bearsfan]

  I agree NYU is not really a sleeper at all, but to look at the d3hoops.com rankings, you'd think they were. The UAA, I think we all agree, is one of the toughest, if not the toughest in D3 Women's Basketball, and NYU dominated; beating Wash. U. by the biggest margin in their history, after a loss to the Bears.

The D3Hoops rankings have NYU as #6 in the country. How does that make them look like a sleeper? They were number 1 in the final published regional rankings for the East region and ranked #4 in the next to last WBCA poll which they will probably move to #3 this week. They are also #4 in the Massey ratings (#5 if you include MOV). I think by everyone's account, NYU is considered a favorite to go deep into the tourney. They also have a very favorable bracket to make a run.

According to Massey, the UAA is considered the toughest conference so NYU being the co-champion of that conference does put them as a favorite to be a contender. I am not sure anyone on D3hoops or anywhere else would say NYU is a sleeper team.

I think what is cool is the potential to have an all UAA Final Four if everyone wins out. While it is highly unlikely, don't believe that possibility has ever been present before as Rochester and NYU have almost always had to play each other to have either get to the Final Four.

I think as opposed to being a sleeper, NYU is going to have alot of pressure to live up to their ranking and make the Final Four cause many many people will be expecting them to make it there.

Also, NYU was great in the UAA and did beat Wash U badly at NYU but I would not say they dominated. They finished tied with Wash U, did not receive the automatic bid, lost to Wash U in St Louis U and lost to Rochester at Rochester by 13 where Wash U beat the same Rochester team at Rochester by 15. I saw them play and agree they are talented and deep but they did not dominate the UAA. Domination would be having gone 14-0 and winning every game by double digits. They just excelled in the UAA. On the other hand...they did DOMINATE the East.

[newtonnancy]

Bach and Bearsfan, I DISAGREED ON ALL COUNTS

1-I can't believe that Quinn thinks this is her best NYU team, heck I am standing by my earier posts claiming the UAA was stronger 3 years ago. Huhn, Higgier, Wojo, D'Ambrosio was a better team then this years team...ALTHOUGH....I think that this years star, McAntee is more dominating then Wojo. That being said, with the home court advantage NYU should make a strong run.

2-Its crazy how much easier this years match ups are for Brandeis...let see a really strong Salem State and then Bowdoin at home with 70 straight wins compared to M-F and then probably Emmanuel...Brandeis could easily advance because I am told  that Emmanuel is not that strong. Also, Brandeis has gone from a team oriented offense to more of a one on one kind of team as compared to previous years and ultimately I think that will be their down fall.

[BachDog]

I don't know, newton, this year's team hasn't reached their peak yet, and that's important...I do agree though, if Quinn is serious (it might be lip service, but I don't think so), she must see a synergy between this team and something that wasn't there with Huhn, Higier, D'Ambrosio and Woj. That ultimately will make the difference in tourney play...I think.

[wonder_woman]

Don't worry Bach...if your sister has even half the game she had last weekend, NYU should cruise through the early rounds. She was phenomenal!

BUT- Every game is going to be tough. No bad teams in this tourney. Any one can win.

Don't worry about OPINION polls either, they are meaningless.

Not sure what planet Newton is from - no Wojo team was good

[sean-o]

In the one game I saw, NYU was by far the cream of the UAA crop. Athletic offense, sniper-like defense, and that well-earned swagger that flat out intimidates.

They were underrated all year long, though they probably aren't anymore.

[Pat Coleman]

It was kind of hard to justify ranking NYU highly right out of the box, considering they went 18-8 last year, lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on an neutral floor, and played one Top 100 opponent before Jan. 5.

Once they got into the decent teams on their schedule, they moved up appropriately.

[BachDog]

Thanks for the compliment wonder woman, it's certainly appreciated. I must admit, I feel a little like a soccer mom with the sort of excitement I have for this tournmanent! I am looking forward to some great matchups!

Obviously NYU did move up in the rankings, and I would agree they were not that competetitve last year (injuries played a part in that), but I think considering the tougher schedule towards the end of the season, the road wins (any UAA road win should be cherished, it's just sooo hard), NYU perhaps has a case for being ranked even higher...Perhaps I'm splitting hairs here, and I probably am...

[sean-o]

It was kind of hard to justify ranking NYU highly right out of the box, considering they went 18-8 last year, lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on an neutral floor, and played one Top 100 opponent before Jan. 5.

Once they got into the decent teams on their schedule, they moved up appropriately.

Point taken, but it also highlights one of the problems with polls. I didn't think much of the Violets until I saw them. After that, I saw them as the best team in the UAA.

If everybody could have seen them, I'm guessing they would have gotten the proper respect earlier.

[TheKatzInTheHat]

I wanted to alert you all to the WBRS broadcasts of the Brandeis games (www.wbrs.org). Since both teams are playing at (about) the same time, we're going to be doing some shuffling on the broadcasts.

On Friday night, we're going to be broadcasting the women's game live at Emmanuel College. We'll start with a pregame which will go right up until tip at 5:30. We'll also have a team in Providence to broadcast the men's game, but that game will be recorded and played on Saturday at 4 PM. During timeouts and if the women's game ends earlier, we will go to the men's game to get updates.

On Saturday, it gets a little more complicated. We'll first broadcast the taped men's game for those who want to hear it. If both teams win, the roles are switched and we'll announce the men's game live and the women's game taped. If the men lose and the women win, we'll go to the women's game live. I believe both of those games will be live at 7 PM with a pregame before. I'm not exactly sure when the women's game will be broadcast on the air if both teams win, but we'll worry about that later.

We've been in contact with our provider to get more slots so none of you should be shut out of the webcast if you want to listen in (though, if you're in the Waltham/Newton/Boston area, tune to 100.1 FM). Sorry for the long post, but I figured I should let you all know the deal.

I heard that there will be a student bus to both games (I'm a graduate student and they leave me off the undergrad mailserv) so hopefully there will be a large Brandeis fan showing at both games as there's been at all the home games and even some away games (from the vantage point of the broadcast booth, the Brandeis fans were louder at NYU than the home team). It's going to be an exciting weekend for all the UAA teams in the tournament. I don't see why all shouldn't be playing some more basketball after this weekend is done.

[newtonnancy]

Hey Katz...
As a recent graduate, do you think this years Brandeis team is as good or better then any of the past 3 teams? going back to when Fitzpatrick was a senior? Just interested in another opinion

[Pat Coleman]

Katz:

We'll be doing that Saturday women's game for NCAASports.com if people want to listen to it live.

[ILive4This]

I know the question was not asked to me but I think I am capable of answering this question. I do not think that this team is better head to head than the ECAC teams that I think were snubbed from the tournament. These teams reached as high as 3rd in the national rankings and I think played much better ball. However this team seems to be playing better against competitions, perhaps getting lucky. They certainly are not shooting the ball very well, since Malcom is being double or triple teamed, Capra is getting some looks. However many times shooting is near or below 30%. The saving grace I think right now may be defense. Often times when the Judges are shooting poorly the other team is forcing shots as well. The two freshmen guards are great to watch and are very big contributers to the team, they will be ones to look out for, for the next 3 years as well.

[newtonnancy]

Hey I Live...

I agree, I have heard good things about the freshmen as well.

I agree with regard to the ECAC teams, and they were as high as #2 last year and #3 the previous year. One thing that bothers me is all the EXCUSES for Malcom and Capra. Granted Malcolm gets double and triple teamed but Fitzpatrick was doubled and tripled as well and her scoring and shooting percentage never really dropped and she may still be the all time UAA leader in FG%, so the doubles and triples are a part of the D3game...ask Hutchens and all the other BIG girls over the years. Regarding Capra, boy she has a PR department. She was shooting 48+% through the first 12 games and finished the year at 36% or ther about, whats that tell you (and that with the huge game against Rochester that her "fan" pointed out). I just think that the current team is not made to play one on one as they do and I still think that is what made the past several years teams so tough.

Regarding my Maroons, does anyone know if there has ever been a team ranked #1 in the nation in late January that DIDN't make the big dance...what a disappointment

[BachDog]

   This goes out to Brandeis fans. I think anyone that has seen Brandeis play knows the team they are capable of being. Unfortunately, they are capable of being downright mediocre at times. Malcolm can look like a genius at times, at others, she looks lethargic and apathetic. Capra I am wary of as well, I like her game, but not always. They stick around and that is really an intangible when it comes to tournament play, but it takes more than just sticking around. You need the killer instinct and sometimes they've got it. Sometimes not. 

   About the Maroons, Nancy. I really like their team. I think the #1 (on WBCA, not D3) was preliminary, but they are an explosive team, when they're on. What do you think was the catalyst to the downfall?? Was it too hyped up? They are so dangerous (ask Wash. U.) it would have been great if they could have turned it around.