The women’s basketball team looks ahead to the 2026-27 season with a strong offensive roster.
@HEATHERVULIN / INSTAGRAM
Barbara Vasquez, Editor-in-Chief
Last Thursday, Oct. 15, the Manhattan University (MU) men’s and women’s basketball teams introduced themselves and their upcoming game schedule at Manhattan Madness. Head Coaches Heather Vulin and John Gallagher promised an exciting season to the student body, with new team members and gameplay.
The women’s basketball team begins their season on Nov. 2 at a home game against Pace University in Draddy Gymnasium, with Club Appreciation Day being held simultaneously in celebration. This year’s roster is primarily made up of new athletes to the program, with 12 incoming players being added to the team this season. Only three returners – senior Kristina Juric, sophomore Ella Chandler and sophomor women’s basketball teame Celeste Harper – remain on the roster. According to Vulin, however, this provided an opportunity to tweak the team’s playing style and recruit specifically for their offense.
“I think this team has a chance to be one of the best offensive teams I’ve had in my 11 years, and we had two teams make the conference championship game so that’s high praise, especially when you consider we have 12 new players,” Vulin said. “But they were picked for a reason. We’re going to play a very fun style this year, very unselfish. Everybody is a three-point threat.”
The new recruits all have the ability to play strong offensively, and most come from winning programs with a line of accolades. Taylah Murtagh, junior guard for the Jaspers, was recruited from Williston State College where she led her team to a near-perfect season last year, losing only two games on schedule. She made a total of 93 three-pointers last season on her own; the Jaspers made a combined total of 109 that same year.
“She [Taylah] knows how to win, and that’s something we looked for not just in her, but everybody else that we brought in,” Vulin said. “Every kid on this roster has come from a winning program. We feel that players that have played in winning programs understand what it takes to be a winner, but also understands the sacrifice it takes to help your team win.”
The women’s basketball team was ranked eighth in the Metro Conference Coaches’ Preseason Poll, staying in the same place as their eighth-place finish in the 2025-26 MAAC Championship. With a full roster of new players, the team is at a slight disadvantage in terms of unfamiliarity on the court. But, the Lady Jaspers have been putting the work in both on and off the court.
Murtagh told The Quadrangle about working with the team’s chemistry, and how that’s helped with gameplay.
“[With] our group specifically, I don’t think I’ve ever had a team that’s gotten along so well,” Murtagh said. “ … it’s been really fun, and I think that’s really helped and really transitioned well onto the court, how much time we spend [together] off the court.”
Vulin echoed Murtagh’s comments, noting that the players had not competed together before this season and highlighting the role of communication in building team chemistry.
“None of them have played together before, and I think they have really worked really hard to make up for that,” Vulin added. “The communication’s been a big part of that.”
Looking ahead to the women’s schedule, both the team and coaches are excited for the year to come.
“I think we’ve got something to prove,” Murtagh said. “Obviously, we’re all new, so it’s a brand new roster, brand new playing style. So, I’m just really excited for everyone to get to see how much work we’ve been putting in this season.”
Vulin acknowledges that this team may see roster changes as the years go on, but for this season, will cherish the skills they have.
“With the 12 new players, we talked from day one that this is our one shot with this group,” Vulin said. “Unfortunately, with the culture in NCAA right now, a lot of people leave after a season or transition, so we’re not guaranteed to have this same team next year. For what we have this season, we want to make the most of it. This is our one shot with this group, and I really feel like so many of our players that have come into the program have something to prove.”
On the men’s side, the Jaspers have seen similar changes to their roster, adding 12 new players following last year’s departures. At Manhattan Madness, Head Coach John Gallagher promised an exciting season for MU, claiming that he has a “real team” this year.
The men’s basketball schedule is prepared for a “real team,” with their opening game against the University of Kentucky on Nov. 3. Ben Tweedy, a junior guard for the Jaspers, transferred from Colgate University to the team this season. He brings experience from competing in the Patriot League, where he was top ranked in offense.
The Quadrangle spoke to Tweedy about how the team has been preparing for the opening game.
“Rupp Arena is one of the greatest places to play college basketball, and to open the season there on national TV is a great chance,” Tweedy said. “We got some experience in the group, but a lot of the guys are new to college basketball, Division 1 college basketball, and especially high major college basketball… There’s going to be some adversity we’re going to face there, but I think we got a great group, and [if] we stay together, that’ll be a great environment to play in for us.”
While at Colgate University, Tweedy competed with his team at the Patriot League semifinals, ranking third overall and scoring 28 points during the match. During this years’ Metro Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Jaspers were ranked 10th in the conference, where they placed in last year’s season tournament. However, Tweedy says the team is paying the poll no mind, instead focusing on the larger picture.
“They call it the preseason poll for a reason – it’s the preseason, and in fact, the preseason doesn’t really mean anything,” Tweedy said. “…We’re really just focused on the process and getting better every single day, chipping away. We’re not necessarily going to be the best team in the preseason votes or to start the season. We’re trying to be the best team in March.”
Tweedy was named in the All-Metro Preseason Third Team earlier in the year – the only Jasper to be selected for the list. Despite this, Tweedy told The Quadrangle about some of the potential he’s noticed throughout the team.
“We’re definitely a big team,” Tweedy said. “We’ve got great positional size across the board… We have big wings and big guards that I think can really make an impact on the Metro Conference.”
The men’s basketball game schedule will continue with a home game against the University of Albany on Nov. 5, and they begin official Metro Conference play against St. Peter’s University on Jan. 1. Building up to the Metro Conference tournament in March, the team hopes to grow and find success in the season.
“I hope we have an enjoyable season where we can bring the community together, and then ultimately, I hope we’re holding the championship trophy and going for a trip to the NCAA tournament,” Tweedy said. “There’s going to be ups and downs all season long, but as long as we ride that together and we stay level-headed, we’re going to have some great moments. We’re going to have some bad moments, but as long as we find that middle ground and continue along, we will be successful.”