As Abigail Adams once wrote to her husband, John: ‘I desire you would remember the ladies.’

In March of 1776, all the men gathered in Boston to champion America. In March of 2007, all the men will gather in Boston to find an America East champion.

But while Abigail Adams’ pleas went largely unheeded (women’s suffrage wasn’t enacted nationally until 1920) we, the people, can at least try to ‘remember the ladies’ this weekend as another chapter in America East men’s basketball history is finalized.

Just one year ago, the entire Southern Tier was abuzz about the incoming America East men’s basketball tournament. This year, the conference’s women’s tournament is coming next weekend, yet most campus-dwellers seem more excited about lyin’ in their beds than Laine Kurpniece ‘ perhaps Binghamton’s best chance to go dancing (sorry, Richie Forbes).

The women’s conference tournament kicks off next weekend with the two worst men’s programs ‘ Hartford and Stony Brook ‘ coming in as clear-cut favorites.

Huh?

Hartford and Stony Brook’s dominance isn’t the only thing that will surprise you, if you just give it a chance. BU coach Rich Conover likes to get up and down the floor with point guards Shea Kenny and Rebecka Lindgren running the show. If those two can find Laura Sario open, the girl can make it rain ‘ she’s averaging 13.1 points per game.

If Sario’s not feeling it, Binghamton will toss it inside to Kurpniece, a dominant presence on the inside. The preseason all-conference pick has played to her potential, despite a costly mid-season suspension, shooting 49 percent from the field.

And don’t forget about Laura ‘The Franchise’ Franceski. With one regular-season game remaining, ‘The Franchise’ has 52 blocks on the year ‘ only six less than the entire men’s basketball team combined.

If you’re not joining me in Boston this weekend, it wouldn’t hurt to go check out the Bearcats in their regular-season finale tomorrow afternoon at the Events Center. BU closes out its regular season with a 1 p.m. contest against New Hampshire.

So when you’re gathering ’round the living room tomorrow watching America East playoff basketball via live webcast, don’t forget to ‘remember the ladies.’ March Madness is coming, but don’t forget: girls like dancing, too.

Check out Pipe Dream next Tuesday for a special pull-out section about the women’s basketball conference tournament, coming next Thursday to the Events Center.