UA_MA_2000

I love this... Simple, ties name to state... Agreed. I like University of New York. I also favor incorporating the shape of NY in logos, etc. See, e.g., North Carolina's center-court logo on its basketball court.

You are right, and I admit that I was part of the problem in recent years by not going to enough home games. Hearing Trimboli talk about how crowd and fan support lured him to UVM made me realize how important it is for me to support the team and go to the games in person.

d/p

I think Vermont has had the success that it has over the past decade because of their regular fan support. We need to average at least 3,000 fans a game going forward (preferably 3,500-4,000). They also seem to always snag up the 3-star recruits more than any other school in the league, yet they may have the worst facilities. While driving up to Burlington a few weeks ago for the AE Championship game, I listed to a live interview of Mike Trimboli prior to the game (he was at the game as a fan). When asked why he decided to come to UVM to play, he said it was all about the fan support. His exact statement (more or less) was that you won't find another mid-major basketball program with more fan support on the east coast. He's probably right. I continue to believe that the best way to build our basketball program and take it to higher levels is with increased fan support. It does matter, and it appeals to recruits and helps us win at home. What this means is that when it's 10 degrees out, and we have a home game against UMBC or UNH, we all (myself included) need to get off our couch and get to the game. No excuses and none of the -1 LCC stuff. Just like casting our votes on election day, it does matter, and we do have a responsibility as a fan of UAlbany to go to the games (most of us do of course).

Outstanding post, dslyank. I agree 100%. We do need a Northeast football conference. How far that conference goes and whether football here can compete with other regions of the country is another interesting question.

I saw a YNN report on it about a week ago. I was at the gym, so I didn't hear what was said but caught a glimpse of the closed captioning and read Coach's name and FDU. That's all I can offer.

This is an informative and interesting thread. My only thought is that academic profiles be a part of this discussion. Academic profiles would probably favor us staying in the America East, but with Boston University leaving, the overall edge in U.S. News rankings may go to the CAA. But I bet overall research dollars is higher in the AE.

It has been reported that Maine's Justin Edwards is transferring: http://www.onebidwonders.com/2013/03/28/edwards-out-exodus-beginning/ This obviously helps us out. My prediction for next season's finish in the league remains somewhere around 3rd or 4th place (absent a surprise coup d'état by our incoming recruits and/or bench players vaulting us higher). My prediction is 3rd place, but the coaches' prediction will probably be 4th just behind Hartford.

As to #3, by wrap around do you mean the possibility for an upgraded stadium that is enclosed at that end of the stadium? That would be terrific. I hope at a minimum that the lower bowl will wrap all around the field at the next stage of this project.

We might have converted some Delaware fans too! That was indeed true. It was an insane scene before the game with Delaware fans everywhere. I was fortunate to be in the building. Awesome showing that came up just a bit short. Delaware upset UNC 78-69 tonight to advance to the sweet 16.

Forgive my football ignorance, but I'm curious as to why the concern that the FCS might be in the process of falling apart? Despite a couple schools moving up, doesn't the FCS still total over 120 football schools (roughly the same as FBS)? Or perhaps with some of the more reputable programs at the FCS level moving to FBS, FCS football is taking a hit in terms of status, etc.?

With the CAA losing football members (and no more "Big East" football), the time is now for the America East to support football. Absent the AE going the football route, I think sometimes the best action is no action. I suspect our CAA/football and AE/all-sports membership will be the status quo for several years.

I would much rather be with New England state universities. Echoing Click's remarks, I wish that the AE had more (football) vision.

What kind of athletic budget do we need to get in the A-10? Any chance of the America East stealing some state schools like Delaware or Rhode Island (with those schools staying in the CAA for football) and expanding the America East? With the CAA taking some hits perhaps joining them for all sports right now isn't the best move?

Which article does that link go to? It took me to the CBS main page.

Great effort. Should have won this game. Too many turnovers and way too many missed open shots in the final 10 minutes of the game. UNC also destroyed us on the boards second half. Complete turnaround from first half where we out rebounded them. UNC also got a lot of lucky bounces especially in the final minute.

We need a 3. Set screens!!!

We are shooting 29% for the game and 22% for 3.

We are missing way too many open shots, especially 3s. We start making open shots, we'll pull this off!

What a back-door cut, pass, and score! 48-44, UA. 4 fouls on Ruffin-Pratt!!

Agreed! And set high ball screens! They are not doubling the high screen. Set screens for Lowrie to get open 3 looks. Craig with three fouls. Wonder when Coach puts her back in. 3-point lead, 14 minutes to go. A 14 seed has never beaten a 3 seed in the women's tournament.

15 turnovers for UA in the first half. Must use more high ball screens to help out our guards who are getting mauled by UNC's pressure defense. UNC has a couple players with 3 fouls at the half including their leading scorer. The 2-3 zone on defense is working great for us. I hope Craig can play all 20 minutes second half! Her presence in the 2-3 zone locks up the middle allowing us to chase down the perimeter players.

Thank you! Just saw it on ESPN 2.

Like Coach's move to play a 2-3 zone with Craig in the middle of course. UNC with a shot clock violation. Great zone defense by UA. Half-court game the way to go.