Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Morey Hershgordon
1) Lucky No. 13
Double digit winning streaks are rare. But for Quinnipiac women’s basketball, it’s commonplace. Many players on this year’s team, member’s of last years 23-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference history-making squad, know what it takes to fulfill the one-game-at-a-time mindset. For now the win streak is at 12 and the focus is on No. 13, the Marist Red Foxes. Thursday night Brian Giorgis, Tori Jarosz and Co. enter Lender Court aiming for their first win in Hamden in over two years. Quinnipiac sits a half game out of first place at 12-3 and Marist is in third at 12-4. The Red Foxes, who took care of business in early December 56-47 behind 16 points and 14 rebounds from Tori Jarosz, look for the season sweep. Quinnipiac will have its plate full trying to stop Jarosz (20.7) and Sydney Coffey (17.0), the top two scorers in the league. If Quinnipiac holds them below their season averages, then it should come out with a win. Six players average more than six points per game for the Bobcats and only four are in that same category for Marist. The plethora of inside talent, both offensively and defensively for the Bobcats, will prove to be the difference. Marist outscored Quinnipiac 28-12 in the paint in the first meeting. A revitalized offense and home court advantage should propel the hosts in a potential championship game preview. Prediction: 61-57 Quinnipiac
2) Is McClure the horse?
When a program is built on depth, it’s never easy to pinpoint one star player. Contributions from the entire lineup portray Quinnipiac women’s basketball. In fact, to choose even two or three players might be hard. But for the sake of an argument, and I’m sure there will be a few trolls, Ayrn McClure is Quinnipiac’s horse. Why? How? Let’s start with the fact that she’s the first player in program history to be chosen to any national rookie of the week honor. Selected by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, McClure was awarded the Women’s National Freshman of the Week. Her 22 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in a win against Iona followed by 14 points and seven rebounds two days later in a win at Saint Peter’s earned her the prestigious accolade. McClure joins a group made up of freshmen that play in the PAC-12, Big East, AAC, ACC, and Big Ten Conference. Throw in her four MAAC Rookie of the Week awards and its clear she’s the frontrunner for conference Rookie of the Year. Also, Quinnipiac is 7-1 when McClure registers double-digit points. I’ll call her the horse for now, with a possibility of becoming a GOAT.
3) How important is the regular season title?
Very important. Very, very important. Winning a regular season championship accomplishes a few things. First, it’s a goal every team works tirelessly for. A regular season crown would be the second straight and third in the last four years for the program. Second, it sends the senior class out with a championship and would cement it in history. Lastly, it probably guarantees not having to face Marist or Iona until the championship game assuming the teams finish in second and third. If Quinnipiac gets the top seed and defeats the winner of the eight and nine seed, then a semifinal game would feature Manhattan, Fairfield or Siena. With five games left, the Bobcats control their own destiny.
4) Can Fabbri win Coach of the Year?
She certainly can, yes. If her team claims the No. 1 spot she’ll have an even better chance. However, the conference does have a few worthy candidates. Here’s a look at them and why they each could win Coach of the Year:
- Tricia Fabbri, Quinnipiac University
- If Quinnipiac wins the regular season after last year when it had one of, if not the best MAAC teams ever.
- Lost its entire starting lineup, yet still atop the conference.
- Could finish the year winning 20 straight MAAC games.
- Billi Godsey, Iona College
- If Iona wins the conference.
- A good way to go out when Joy Adams graduates.
- Brian Giorgis, Marist College
- If Marist wins the conference.
- Was able to get Jarosz a sixth year of eligibility which has improved competition in conference.
- John Olenowski, Manhattan College
- A seven win turnaround from last year.
- Most MAAC wins since 2011-12.
5) Just eight more
Eight more wins would mean 20 straight. Eight more wins and Quinnipiac will dance. Eight more wins and Quinnipiac will be in the early stages of a dynasty. Eight more wins and Tricia Fabbri’s salary should skyrocket. But, what if I told you the final three games were the only ones it needed to win. How will that affect Quinnipiac heading into the final quarter of its season. Well, of those fives games, four of them are against the other top teams in the conference. And by the results of recent wins, Quinnipiac is not looking to stop anytime soon. It wants to extend the winning streak, finish atop the standings and defeat great competition heading into March.
