WBB: Landmark Conference

[ronk]

Good to see you, Ronk.

Tough one today. I'm sure we will see each other again down the road, likely in March.

 My over/under for the teams in this Final 4 being there next year is 2.

[NEPAFAN]

Saw Scranton President, and PJ getting some face time on the ESPN + feed. Seemed like a great Royal crowd.

You have to wonder if all the emotion of knocking off NYU led to a bit of a hangover.

What a ride, what press for the program and the University. Thank you ladies and Ben!

[saratoga]

Well, since this fantastic season has now officially come to a close...I took a look at the points, rebounds, & assists we'll be losing based on the graduations of Kaci, Jenna, & Kaeli.

Regarding points...we're going from 2,613 scored this year minus 820 scored by the three seniors (1,793).
That leaves the Lady Royals with 68.6% of their scoring returning or another way to look at it, they are losing 32.4% of this seasons points.

Points...

Kaci-584
Kaeli-184
Jenna-52
Total-820


Assists...

Kaci-40
Kaeli-129
Jenna-97
Total: 266 to make up.

Rebounds...

Kaci-183
Kaeli-208
Jenna-65
Total: 456 to recover

Not factored in these numbers is the unbelievable defensive tenacity, overall determination & absolute toughness these young ladies brought each & every game.

In order to have a similar outcome next year Ben & his staff may need some smoke & mirrors but there is one heck of a nucleus returning inclusive of starters & many that received good minutes throughout the year not to mention an incoming group of freshmen bringing in some great stats of their own.

Fantastic season by everyone...all the very best to our seniors & thanks for the memories of another year
of championship Lady Royal basketball.   

[Tim the Enchanter]

RIP, Mary Beth Spirk, a legend of DIII hoops.

https://www.moraviansports.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/releases/20260410jj1uel

[saratoga]

Absolutely.
One tough competitor.

[kate]

Mary Beth Spirk was truly a legend here in the Lehigh Valley and for the Women's Basketball world of D3.   Sincere condolences to everyone there at Moravian.   She certainly will be missed on the sidelines by the fans, but mostly by her University and the Team.

[saratoga]

Interesting....
Moravian hires an Asst. Coach at Denison to replace Coach Spirk.
Hoping to catch some of that Big Red mojo? 
Her first home game in Nov. will be against.......
You guessed it, the UofS.

[NEPAFAN]

I like it!  A little landmark juice!

[Augie2020]

Ben to Lafayette . Man

[saratoga]

Hate to say I called this one & absolutely wish I was wrong.
Good for him but this sucks.
Just wish he stayed one more year to get this senior class through.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF*****************#######################KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

[saratoga]

The Royals might as well join the Patriot League since they keep losing coaches to them.

Regarding former Lady Royal coaches...

*Mike Strong...put us on the map with countless deep runs but when he left, it was time.

*Deanna Klingman...just allowed 1 year & then the changing of an entirely new athletic administration & she was was gone.

*Trevor...great job in his 4 years culminating with a Lady Royal Final Four.
Left for Bucknell & its been rocky to say the least.

*Nick DiPillo...3 winning seasons but the guy didn't recruit to save his life.
Attracted by the bright lights of D1.
Good riddance.

Ben...great guy, fantastic coach, tireless recruiter...always calm & prepared.
This one stings but I wish him all the best & many thanks for the classy way he ran the program.

[Augie2020]

Like we talked at the hotel.The question i ask is how does a coach that wins a National Championship 2 years in a row stay with the same program in d3. Is Scranton a hot bed for Coaching?

[NEPAFAN]

Well time for the research team to start looking for the next Ben. Some much for a slow spring. I'll research a study room in the library!


Sad day for Scranton!

[saratoga]

At various towns & cities throughout the Landmark Conference...9 women's basketball coaches are smiling & breathing a sigh of relief.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Damn!  And a couple days ago I was talking to someone who works with Ben at the U who told me that he was pretty sure Ben was not going anywhere.  Guess he was wrong.

Best of luck, Coach O'Brien.  Hopefully the next coach is just as great.