TML1000

Yes, seemed like an ankle, for which she looked to already have a brace. Hoping it is just a turn or light sprain and nothing related to the Achilles.

Not sure on the status of Hamilton, it didn't look great. If she is out, that gives us only three healthy true posts. All three played very well Saturday but the lack of remaining depth is concerning. Hoping Christie can return soon, as well. Tremendous offensive efficiency, particularly from the three posts and Onwuka...combined those four shot over 75%!!! Another solid effort Wednesday night on the road should yield another win, but nothing is a given on the road.

The home team in this match up has won every game over the past 3 seasons...the last road team to win was UB winning at NIU 2/2/16.

I thought the crowd was decent for a Sunday afternoon during holiday week during a Bills game. Hoping for a good turnout on the 11th against Ohio after hopefully getting a pair of road wins to start off MAC play. Attendance has been between 1200-1500 for all of the regular games thus far, hopefully we can push that over 2000 for the weekend conference games and the CMU game on 1/29.

When you are a team playing for a potential at-large bid, every point counts...I believe Oats said something like that a year or two ago. This isn't middle school...if the opposition is still playing hard, you still play hard. Could she have been taken out of the game with a minute to play, sure, but that is on the staff not the player. If you are still in the game, you play hard. Not playing hard on the floor creates more bad habits than "rubbing it in." Also, to say you do not like the way Fair plays...what would you prefer? A less athletic, less confident, less skilled player who contributes fewer points, makes fewer good passes and opens up fewer easy shots for her teammates? If that was the case, UB would be a much worse team.

This should be a good measuring stick game...Dayton is solid. They struggled mightily with Uconn and South Carolina but hung with Gonzaga. They also beat Toledo fairly easily and lost to CMU in OT by 1. This is a game we still should win but it will no doubt be a hard fought game.

If Summer is back by conference play, that is fine in my book. Only 3 more non-conference games, 2 of which should definitely be wins even if Summer does not play. Dayton will be tough but I still like our chances at home. MAC will probably not be a two bid league this season. Ohio probably has a chance at an at-large if they run through conference play and lose in Cleveland. If UB goes 9-2 before MAC play and can really turn it on in the conference I would give them an outside shot at a possible at-large.

It is possible if only 5 of the 5-6 teams win this week.

Liberty is 6-5 but need to win 7 to be eligilble due to two FCS wins.

Here are 14 remaining 5-6 teams and who they play. Boston College - at Pitt(7-4 record) UNC - at NC State(4-7 record) TCU - v West Virginia(4-7 record) Michigan State - v Maryland(3-8 record) Nebraska - v Iowa(8-3 record) Army - at Hawaii(8-4 record) and v Navy(8-2 record) Ohio - at Akron(0-11 record) Kent State - at Eastern(6-5 record) Oregon State - at Oregon(9-2 record) Colorado - at Utah(10-1 record) Liberty - v New Mexico State(2-9 record) Mississippi State - v Ole Miss(4-7 record) Troy - v App State(10-1 record) ULM - at ULL(9-2 record) In my opinion, Michigan State, Liberty and Ohio are locks to win. I have UNC, TCU, Kent and Mississippi State as very close or "pick'em" games. The other 7 I have as solid underdogs. I would be surprised if more than 7 of the 14 teams win, which would essentially leave one 6-6 team out.

Judging by results so far this season, it looks like a very competitive field with no easy wins nor sure losses. Missouri State lost by 3 to Xavier, Towson lost by 4 to Florida, etc.

It's basically if our gameplan works in the 1st half and the opponent folds up shop we are fine. If the opponent either makes adjustments or makes a big play or 2 in the second half, it seems our staff cannot adjust and respond.

What a complete embarrassment...this team consistently has no CLUE on special teams. How do you not expect an onsides kick and how do not ensure max protect punting deep in your own end??? On the final offensive drive you run on 3rd down but then punt on 4th and 3. If you're going to punt on 4th why not pass on 3rd? Just completely dominated the game for over 3 quarters but seemed shell shocked at the first sign of pushback. Again, nothing I can say other than embarrassing in every way.

Incredible efficiency from Onwuka and also hitting 3's. If she can keep up close to this pace all season coupled with her defense, she will challenge for MAC POY. Fair again very strong as well...particularly from beyond the arc. Both players are playing efficiently and keeping both fouls and turnovers low. Throw in a solid game from Hall and it is tough to lose when your three ball handlers combine for 5 turnovers.

NW Missouri State would be a competitive mid-major team this season. They are very good. Daemen won their next three games after losing to NWMSt....they will likely be a top 25 team all season.

Another tremendous game from Fair and Onwuka. Usually you cannot expect this level of consistency from a freshman but Fair looks poised and confident beyond her years. Hall was much better today as well...a trio of guards all playing well will go a long way for a successful season. The bigs without Summer are still extremely inexperienced but do have to be at least marginally better. Christie is playing out of position on the defensive end as she does not yet have the strength. again, in time I expect her to play more of a Wilkins role for this team and not an outright true post. When Summer returns the entire makeup of the lineup changes and how things can be run with her quickness and matchup problems for opponents on both ends. I will take 8 points and 5 boards from Hamilton any day. Again, 30 minutes is probably asking alot but she was better against NU than in the opener for sure. We certainly have the guard advantage against Canisius tomorrow but one can never overlook a big 4 opponent. Columbia seems like they will be a bigger test than I originally thought. They are 1-2 but an OT loss to Albany and a loss to a usually solid St Joe's before defeating a Fordham team by 19 who hung with Notre Dame.

Plenty to clean up but when your top post player is injured and your two starting posts play a combined 16 minutes due to foul issues, any win is a good win. Fair had about as good of a night as one could ask in her first ever collegiate game. I'll take the turnovers if she is going to be that aggressive and confident...they will decrease in time. She also pulled down 10 boards which was huge as the rest of the team struggled mightily rebounding, particularly defensive boards. Again, this will correct itself when Summer returns and if Walters and Adeyeye can stay on the floor. I thought Christie played admirably with being pressed into 30 minutes, nearly all of which included playing defense at the 5 position. At this point she just doesn't have the strength to consistently win the physical battles inside but she held her own for also being her first game. In time, I would expect her to play more of a wing. Onwuka was at peak efficiency, 7/11 shooting, 0 turnovers, smothering defense...this is the type of game we will need consistently and I have full confidence we will see it. Hall was forcing shots rather than attacking as she did in the exhibition. I'll chalk it up to a down night. Also, Gaba provided some much needed solid minutes inside and had a nice finish after running the floor on a break and a few good post moves drawing fouls. Again, a lot to work on but these first 4 or 5 games are all extremely winnable even without Summer.

From what I've heard, Summer may miss the first 3-4 games but hopefully will be ready for the west coast trip. Walters and Adeyeye both looked vastly improved compared to last season with Walters seeming as though she could prove to be a real finisher in the paint. Christie has great length and seems like she could be a player to fill the Wilkins' role, at least for this season. With Hall, Onwuka and Fair, we should have the most explosive back-court in the MAC. We can't expect that many blow-bys when the competition ramps up, but the quickness and aggressiveness is there for sure. Fair didn't show any freshman jitters and should be a big help in picking up some of the CD scoring void. It appears we should have a very strong top 7 with Hall, Onwuka, Fair, Walters, Adeyeye, Christie and Summer when she is back with Dickson and Hamilton also having the ability to put in some solid minutes. Hoping for a great performance tomorrow night.

I'll be there...should be a very intriguing season for both the women and the MAC as a whole. IMO, the key to the season for the women will be rebounding. Summer should be a walking double-double but beyond her, I am looking for Adeyeye to take a step-forward, particularly defensively. The starting backcourt is experienced with Hall and Onwuka. Both can be up and down but hoping for a bit more stability from both this season. This could be a season where a few of the freshmen get some good minutes. I am looking at Fair as a player who can certainly provide an offensive spark and hopefully someday can be our go-to player. Gaba also seems like a player who could be ready to get minutes right away as well.

Sischo is an extremely legit player...would be a productive player for most, if not all, mid-majors. Not many teams at our level gear defense towards a player like him and we might only see a few better post offense bigs all season. I wouldn't be concerned. Other than that, no complaints from me. Will be interested to see how the minutes get handed out once the games matter. Counting Hardnett, we should be 10 deep without much of a drop-off. I'm most excited for Johnson...just think he is a total game changer. In MAC play being able to throw him, Graves and Jordan on the floor at the same time will be a nightmare to defend. Segu looks much more confident and should definitely be a major player. Love the athleticism of this team.

You never know with Martin...I would think Gabbert will play. It's anyone's guess on the others.

This is what many people seemingly forget about...when it comes down to it, our ability to make the NCAA's rides on if we are the best team in the MAC. Will we be as good as we were last year in the eyes of the national media and people who do not follow the MAC as closely? Likely not. Will we be the best team in the MAC and good enough to once again win the conference? That is a yes in my book. Looking at BG specifically, they lose two of their best five and I do not think anyone would argue that the talent level of the players they have coming in does not compare to UB's. Yet many are just assuming BG will be the MAC team to beat. Of course we need to see what this year's team will look like on the court but the same goes for nearly every team, in every season. It is exceedingly rare the position we were in coming into last season where we returned nearly all impact player's and had such little turnover.

Third in the MAC East...behind Kent who graduates Walker. Lol is the only appropriate response.

I hear you on Coach Jack leaving but we have now been through two off seasons where, as far as we know, she has had offers on the table from program in major conferences and has opted to stay here. I am selfishly hoping that the real cream of the crop program may not be seeking her out in the future due to age, etc even though she has proven to deserve an opportunity at just about any program. Here is to hoping Coach pulls a Sue G and remains a fixture for another 8-10 seasons and finishes her career at UB.

That's what I am saying...Ohio will be the favorite, but they haven't been able to break through to make the NCAA's, something Central and UB have both done multiple times as of late. Yes, I know rosters turn over but Central and UB have both done it with different rosters. Not saying Ohio can't but until they do they still have much to prove, just as Central and UB do this season after their personnel losses.