New for the 2011-2012 seasons, the America East Daily Word, a collaboration between AmericaEast.com and AExtra, will recap the previous day's games and on goings on our nine campuses and provide links to previews, recaps, features and exclusive coverage.

Just like there was an America East twist in the men’s Final Four, the conference has its own connection to the women’s Final Four, as well.

Maine women’s hoops coach Richard Barron had a hand in the squad that the Baylor women put on the floor every night. That Baylor team is one win away from a national title.

Prior to his first season in Orono and the previous two at North Carolina State, Barron served as the recruiting coordinator under Kim Mulkey at Baylor. In his two years with the Bears, the team was able to sign a handful of the upperclassmen that led the team to its current 39-0 record. One of those players:  national Player of the Year Brittney Griner. Needless to say, Barron has an interest in Baylor’s championship hunt.

Pete Warner of the Bangor Daily New wrote a story this weekend about Barron’s connection to Baylor’s success and how he plans to implement some of the same recruiting strategies for his Maine team. Barron just completed a 10-country recruiting trip in Europe, seeking out some of the finest international players.

Check out the full article, here.

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