haggyland

I could easily make the argument that Drew Smith graduating had as much of an effect on this team's record as any factor. He was good for four yards on every play, and kept our defense off the field. Of course, I didn't think his graduation would contribute this much to the type of season we just witnessed (especially in terms of win-loss record), but for me it stuck out all season...even though Osbourne is a good back, that had a good year. ...And I suppose Fiacchi regressing didn't help much either. Let's hope that the "Jumpsuit Brigade" is ready to get this program to new levels of excellence.

I guess that I am slightly skeptical that any of today's sports reporters are going to dedicate that much attention to women's basketball to fill out spots 1-25 with due diligence. Still, my doubts have been proven wrong countless times before. Easy solution is to beat Duke, but like DP said, do not overlook the Q...that is the arguably the best non-Duke opponent left.

Do you think the voters will really pay attention to a close loss, or do you think when it comes to deciding who will get their 24th or 25th vote that most of them just look at records?

Women's RPI drops to #68 despite the blemishless record. Men's RPI has jumped up to #105. It should be interesting to see how that plays out, but conference play should hurt the RPI less for the women than for the men, because they are playing in a comparatively more competitive league.

Sweet...less worry of a coaching defection!

Nice catch. 3 guard line-up: Rosario, Royals, and Coughlin. No information on Craig in the UA website story...how does a 6'8" woman go missing?

Yo ho ho! 4th place in the mid-major poll! http://www.collegeinsider.com/womens-mid-major-top-25.php http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209337739&DB_OEM_ID=15800 Still only one first place vote; Hope that close game with NJIT is quickly forgotten.

Women win a close one tonight, 75-64. 2 double doubles: Richards 21pt, 11 r; Royals 13 pt, 10a. No Megan sighting. Bench played a total of 28 of the 200 minutes.

Nice catch. 3 guard line-up: Rosario, Royals, and Coughlin.

Closer game than expected in Jersey; UA up 43-36 with 16 minutes to go. Looking at the box, Richards had foul trouble. Also looking at the box, why doesn't Coach Abe play ANYBODY on the bench?

Sorry, I guess I worded that in a confusing manner. I meant to say that "although they are playing a schedule of patsies, that it is not like they are squeezing by in the last minute." I wish Marist all the health in the world now that the game is behind us!

So true, but it is not like the team is playing patsies and squeezing by in the last minute...this team is winning handily every time. And while I realize that considering margin of victory could result in teams running up scores, I would have thought that at least one of the writers would have considered the team for a vote by now....Like you said, they might only end up with one or two losses heading into conference play. Beat Duke and those votes will come!

One of the few times when I have heard McElroy mention aspirations for an individual program is when he said he wanted women's basketball to reach an Elite 8. Personally, I think he should be more vocal about pushing for the progression of all programs, instead of just admiring how one coach is making things grow. (Of course I might just be hearing only what I want to hear...)

Nice...it is more competitive of a wage than I thought. There are some really good coaches/programs on the list you provided, '96.

Seems accurate on all accounts. So, how does $230K "rank" in the world of FCS football?

I was looking a that schedule, hoping Duke might be worn out, or looking ahead...Almost worth a drive down. Quinnipiac on the 15th should easily be the best remaining regular season home game.

Nice to see Yahoo pick up the feed of Tiana Jo's presser when she signed her NLOI: http://news.yahoo.com/video/tiana-jo-carter-signs-letter-043717789.html Interest from Syracuse and Indiana. She seems very well-spoken and confident; hope she gets to play four years for the coach that recruited her!

#40 RPI...check that: at #49 now. I have no clue how they dropped 9 spots this past day. #8 in the mid-major Top 25, with a first place vote. Undefeated at 7-0. ...Still cannot get an AP Top 25 vote. It is scary to think how many wins this program might end up with in back to back years.

Good write-up; impressive accomplishments. I had to pause when I read "humility" as a character trait when Dr. McElroy spoke of him; wasn't that the biggest concern with one of the other favorite candidates?

Regarding baseball, getting an unsigned 5th round draft pick here for next year is probably the biggest news in the program's history. Let's hope he lives up to expectations, then grabs a couple of Cy Young's in MLB, and donates millions to the school...that shouldn't prove too much of a stretch.

Like Stony Brook? I don't know..seemed to work pretty well for the team last year. Fair...very fair. But maybe a program that has three NCAA bids shouldn't look at Stony Brook as something to emulate...Keep Building!

Why is it that UA uses its non-con to work out its rotations, but other teams use it to build their RPIs?

Not to completely belabor the point, but outside of the players, if I am the Utah coach I am pissed as hell: ""I don't know what they do at Utah, but, obviously, as I have found out, a lot of these guys have never been held accountable for anything on or off the court...."

I would have passed on using the press to call out players individually, and by name.

My vote is high risk, high reward!