University Athletic Association

[BachDog]

Thanks for the input Newton, it just seems so strange to me...All the coaches have access to the statistics, and by no means am I saying that scoring isn't important, but there are different ways to dominate a game...Not all of them show up on the scoreboard.

I got a beating from a Bowdoin fan today about the "possibility" of Rochester upsetting Bowdoin, so I wanted to ask anyone here about the chances that Wash U., Rochester, and NYU each have of reaching the final...Tough games, no question, but I think it's possible!

I think NYU got the best bracket (except for Brandeis, but an argument could be made that theirs was tougher), but Wash U. can win their remaining games, Howard Payne ultimately being their toughest (if they beat Luther)...And, if Rochester can pull off a HUGE upset of Bowdoin, they've beaten that Scranton team before and I like their chances this time.

We'll see.......Anybody surprised that Malcolm got Second team All-Conference?

[newtonnancy]

Bach,

To be honest I don't think any of the UAA teams make the final 4, but NYU would have the best shot. Rochester is least likely.

Regarding Malcom, blame that on the coaching staff and offense that got away from the all american and went to a guard oriented offense and freshmen

[BachDog]

Appreciate the honesty Nancy, but I'll admit I am a little surprised. I know you follow Chicago and the UAA. I also know you know what happened to Chicago, a darn fine team with a heck of a lot of talent, in the UAA (the toughest division in DIII Women's hoops).

I know the rest of the UAA crowd in the tournament has tough games but do you know something I don't? Wash. U. is a powerhouse and well coached, same for NYU. Rochester has the toughest game in my mind, but possible--leaning towards impossible, but still possible...I think there'll be two UAA teams in the mix after Friday's games, and probably 2 in after Saturday...Bold prediction, yes, but not that bold....

[BachDog]

Nancy, do you know of a reason the UAA does not name a DEFENSIVE player of the year?? Maybe if coaches had to look at stats like: rebounds, steals, blocked shots, etc., they might think about all-around players in a different way......Just a thought.

By the way, congrats to Molly Hackney for Rookie of the Year.

[ur2004]

Good to see all the respect for Rochester... 

So lets look at their resume.

Consider the top 30 of the Women's RPI (www.d3hoops.com/scoreboard/womensrpi07.htm):

Wins:
-vs. #5 NYU
-vs. #7 Scranton
-at  #11 Cortland State
-vs. #12 Brandeis
-vs. #22 Chicago
-(n) #26 St. Lawrence

And some more wins:
-at Medaille (23-5, AMCC conference champs, d3hoops.com #20)
-at Ithaca (Empire 8 conference champs)
-at Elmira (21-7, Empire 8 runner-ups)
-(n) Brockport State (22-8)

On top of that, they have three starters with Final Four experience (PG Emily Bango, SG Danielle Muller, SF Megan Krebbeks) and a key backup (F Emily Lyons) who's been there too.

No, there certainly can't be any chance they'd beat Bowdoin, let alone make the Final Four.  None at all.... 

[deiscanton]

Rochester also has an advantage in two assistant coaches who formerly played for Bowdoin in Corrinne Pellegrini and Courtney Trotta.  They know how Stefanie Pemoer coaches a Bowdoin team, and can develop plays to counter whatever Bowdoin throws at Rochester.

Rochester does indeed have a shot of beating Bowdoin on a neutral floor--it just depends on which team executes better on Friday.

[newtonnancy]

BUT ROCHESTER DID NOT PLAY AS WELL ON THE ROAD and for that reason I think they are really up against it.......

[BachDog]

I would tend to agree with Nancy on this one. Rochester was not the team they were at home that they were on the road......It should be added that where they looked their best (in my opinion) was early in the season, AND at home. Also, a couple of those "ranked" wins turned into losses (Wash. U. beat them on their own court) the second time around (i.e. NYU, and Brandeis).

But, as I have said, when they are shooting lights-out (like they were against NYU at Rochester, where it was just ridiculous, Krebbeks and Bango dropped a load of threes) they can make any team feel like they're playing NBA players and that the basket is as big as a hula hoop!

[jagluski]

Also, a couple of those "ranked" wins turned into losses (Wash. U. beat them on their own court) the second time around (i.e. NYU, and Brandeis).

There was no ranked win against Wash U.  Wash U swept Rochester, which is why they got the UAA auto-bid over NYU.

[BachDog]

Thanks jag, realized it after I posted. I couldn't believe Wash U. beat them in Rochester, that is the toughest gym to play in that I've seen...It's like a cage match!

[papabear]

Try playing in Brunswick they had 76 straight wins there. Thats fine but nobody shoots lights out against Bowdoin ever. They hold teams to high 40's in poitns and usually win by 15-20 points.

You want to talk resume fine Bowdoin beat S. Maine by 15, Emmanuel by 10, Norwich by 10, Williams by 20 and 10, Bates by 20 twice, and beat a good Mt Holyoke team, and Keene St both by double digits.

You say they have three players with Final Four Experience the Polar bears have three with National Championship experience all starters.. Flaherty, Loonin, Cummings Who is going to stop Flaherty?? If you double her you will get beat by Anelauskus or Rubega off the bench..

[ur2004]

Papabear, nobody was trashing Bowdoin.  Only pointing out that Rochester isn't exactly garbage, and it would not at all be surprising if UR got another quality scalp this weekend. 

You say they have three players with Final Four Experience the Polar bears have three with National Championship experience all starters.. Flaherty, Loonin, Cummings Who is going to stop Flaherty?? If you double her you will get beat by Anelauskus or Rubega off the bench..

Well, I'd try to stop Bowdoin by playing some zone.  From looking at their team stats, it looks like their guards are awful shooters (Loonin at .333 FG, .301 3PT and Cummings at .297 FG, .208 3PT).  So I'd load up the paint, maybe even a box-and-one or triangle-and-two to stop Flaherty and the other post players, force Bowdoin to shoot from the outside, and force the guards to shoot, which it looks like they don't do very well.  I'd even let Cummings shoot all day if she wants, not sure I'd even guard her; I'd double-up Flaherty instead and let the zone handle Cummings if necessary.

[deiscanton]

Best of luck to NYU, Wash U, and Rochester in tonight's games.

I will be at the Jean Yawkey Center in Boston to watch the sectional games tonight and Saturday night.

I'm hoping that Emmanuel and at least 1 UAA team will make it past this weekend and get to Springfield.

[BachDog]

Have fun in Boston deis! I will be at the NYU sectionals and hopefully make it for both games. Go UAA!!!!

I think Emmanuel will win, and I am hoping (sorry papa) that Rocehster pulls off the upset of Bowdoin. I am thinking Wash U. will probably make it thorugh too...Everyone cross their fingers...

[newtonnancy]

   From The Bradneis Hoot... Hoot.net

Capra '08 followed up on her Friday heroics with a miserable performance, scrapping together 10 points on 5-14 shooting. She was able to pull down eight rebounds, which was one more than the team leading seven turnovers she had. Even more telling were that she had no foul shots and her visible frustration.

In the sports world, there are many unwritten rules, but Saturday, the Brandeis Judges introduced what should be included if not already an unwritten rule–-if you commit 35 turnovers in a game, especially in the playoffs, you are not going to win. It was a bitter pill for the Judges to swallow as they could only walk away on the wrong side of a 71-66 defeat.