Feast of Action on Saturday

As the month of November quickly comes to an end, America East fans have a feast of great basketball to tune into on the final Saturday of the month. There will be a total of 12 teams in action today, including six men's games and six women's games. On the men's side of action, two of the highlights include Albany vs. Niagara in the Legends Classic Subregional in Detroit and Boston University hosting Cornell. While Albany hasn't started the season the way it would like, the return of sophomore guard Mike Black should provide the Great Danes with a boost heading into December. The Terriers are hoping to find some consistency on the offensive end, but slowing down the shooting of Cornell will be key in this game.

On the women's side of action, the Hartford women will hope to close out the Caribbean Challenge with a victory against Penn State. This will be the first-ever meeting between the programs and will give the Hawks a chance to pick-up a victory against Big 10 opposition. The other game to keep an eye on is Albany at Wagner. The Great Danes have been tremendous to start the season and will hope to extend their undefeated start for another game. With 12 games on the table for America East fans, today should really be a feast of action.

Vermont Unveils The Banner

Although it was a day early, the Vermont Catamounts men's basketball program had much to be thankful for on Wednesday. Not only did the Catamounts improve their record to 3-1 with a hard-fought 51-48 win over Loyola (Md), they also were able to celebrate the great success of last season. Prior to the start of the game, the 2010 America East Tournament Championship banner was unveiled to a great crowd. AExtra would like to applaud the Catamounts for the success of last season, while also wishing them the best during the 2010-11 campaign.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

If it is cold and rainy during your Thanksgiving meal,
just try and picture Cancun.

While AExtra is looking forward to enjoying some Thanksgiving eating later today, it must admit that it would gladly give up the turkey and mashed potatoes to join the Hartford women's basketball team in Cancun for the next couple of days. With that said, fans throughout the America East have much to be thankful for during the holiday season. Basketball season is fully in swing, and both men's and women's teams are already exceeding expectations and setting up what should be one of the most exciting conference seasons in recent history. 

AExtra hopes that everyone has a tremendous day with family and friends. Also, if you are planning to do some shopping early tomorrow morning, AExtra would not say no to one of those new 3D TV's. 

After Disappointing Loss to Brown, Wildcats Prepare For Holy Cross

The UNH women's basketball team went into its game against Brown University on Saturday with a “huge” advantage. Quite literally, the Wildcats had an overwhelming advantage on the frontline height wise. With 6'3” Jill McDonald, 6'1” Kate Early, and 6'5” Kelly Flynn along the front court, UNH could have overpowered a Brown team with no players over 5'11” in their starting lineup and only three players over six feet on their entire roster, all three underclassmen.

Instead, Brown used a swarming defense to cause numerous UNH turnovers and forced the Wildcats to go to a smaller lineup just to keep up with the Bears' fast pace. Brown built a lead early in the game and never gave it up, holding off every Wildcat run with pressure defense and backbreaking three pointers.

Hartford Gets in the Win Column Against Sacred Heart

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.-- The Hartford women’s basketball finally put one in the win column, defeating the visiting Pioneers of Sacred Heart 62-53 at the Reich Family Pavilion.
It was all over when, after enduring a late surge by the Pioneers, Hartford (1-3) guard Daphne Elliott hit a three-pointer with 90 seconds left to put the final nail in the coffin against a Sacred Heart (1-2) team that looked poised to mount a late comeback.

Elliott finished the game with 15 point, including three very timely shots from behind the arc that kept the Hawks out of reach of the visitors.

Maine Set to Face Notre Dame

Throughout the first week of the regular season, America East teams have shown no fear in taking on some of the big names in college basketball. After facing Maryland last week, the Maine Black Bears head to South Bend, Ind., for a matchup with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. While any opportunity to face a Big East opponent is exciting, this game has some additional storylines that should make it even more fun to follow for America East fans.

Since becoming the head coach at Notre Dame prior to the 2000-01 season, Mike Brey has built a reputation as one of the top coaches in the Big East. Prior to becoming head coach at Notre Dame, Brey earned his stripes in the collegiate ranks as one of the top coaches in the America East. During his tenure at Delaware, Brey led the Blue Hens to two NCAA Tournament appearances and was named America East Coach of the Year following the 1997-98 season.

This game will also carry a little extra significance for Maine Assistant Coach Chris Markwood. After starring at South Portland High School, Markwood began his collegiate career playing at Notre Dame. However, after two seasons, Markwood transferred home to close out his playing career at the University of Maine. Markwood is now in his fourth year on the coaching staff at Maine and has emerged as one of the top young coaches in the conference.

Wrapping Up the Tip-Off Take-Off

After a long time on the road, which included seeing numerous America East teams in action, AExtra is finally able to get some rest following the Tip-Off Take-Off event. On this terrific journey, AExtra was able to see some great individual performances, experience the ESPN 24-Hour Tip-Off Marathon and taste some of the best cheesesteaks in the country.

While every game provided an excellent opportunity to experience the great teams and cities this conference has to offer, there certainly were come extra special moments. Watching Vermont put an end to the 38-game home winning streak definitely jumps out, especially when you consider just how dominant Evan Fjeld was. Although AExtra never considered basketball a morning game, it was an awesome experience learning how Stony Brook prepared and got motivated for a 6 a.m. start time.

It was also tremendous to be a part of the return of Pat Chambers to Philadelphia. It was clear that Jay Wright and the entire Villanova community holds the Boston University head coach in high regards. Even more important, being in Philadelphia allowed AExtra to make the official decision for which cheesesteak is the best in the city. Whether it was the great basketball on the court, or the delicious food each city had to offer, AExtra had an experience it will never forget.

Albany Volleyball Wins Championship

On Saturday evening, the University at Albany Great Danes volleyball team won the 2010 America East Championship, defeating UMBC, 3-0. The Great Danes took all three sets, 25-20, 25-21 and 25-20.

Albany was led by tournament Most Outstanding Player Teresa Coppiellie. Coppiellie led Albany with 12 kills and added 19 digs in the championship match on her way to being named MOP. She was joined on the All-Championship team by teammates Casey Wright and Laurie Gonzalez.

The All-Championship squad also included Hallie Carter and Sabrina Hoeks from second-place UMBC, Jeanette Gibbs from Stony Brook and Anna Lejina from Binghamton.

UMBC to Play in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

The UMBC men's soccer team continues its NCAA tournament run tonight at William & Mary in a second round matchup. The Retrievers become the eighth America East team in the last 10 years to advance to the second round of the tournament.

The Retrievers advanced to the second round after topping Princeton, 2-1. Scoring the goals for the Retrievers in that match were the usual suspects, 2010 America East Striker of the Year Levi Houapeu and 2009 America East Striker of the Year Andrew Bulls. With those two, along with freshman forward Pete Caringi III, UMBC packs a powerful offensive punch. The Retrievers will lean on that offense, as well as a defense anchored by Second-Team All-Conference keeper Dan Louisignau (10 saves against Princeton) as they take on 12th-seeded William & Mary.

The game will be played at Martin Family Stadium at William & Mary and is set to kick off at 5 p.m. this evening.