The Whitworth men’s basketball team comes in to the 2009-2010 season ranked 16th nationally in Division III. As a well-balanced team full of talent that spans from freshmen to seniors, the Bucs look to make their way into the NCAA tournament for the fourth season in a row. Looking to better last year’s performance of 23-6 overall and 12-4 in conference play, the Bucs have their work cut out for them. This season they look to be strong at home as well.
The NCAA Division III rankings place Whitworth in a position they are familiar with. Three years ago the team was ranked sixth in the nation.
“I’ve been really pleased with the character this team has shown and their desire to get better every day and work hard, said nine-year head coach Jim Hayford.
“They’ve set really high expectations for themselves, and they’re on their way to realizing those expectations.”
The team’s first pair of games come next weekend, Nov. 20 and 21, against two solid opponents at the Puget Sound Tip-Off Classic.
Friday’s game is against the No. 10 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
“It will probably be the best game in the whole country,” Hayford said.
The team’s schedule begins on the road through the end of November and into December. The team’s first home game is on Dec. 11 against University of California Santa Cruz followed by a home match up during the week of Dec. 14 against North Central (Minn.), and a trio of games during winter break, all at 7p.m.
The team is counting on the Pirate student body to carry them through the season especially during the games through finals week and the winter break.
“We love when the student body gets involved; when they get painted up-that’s the good college sports atmosphere,” athletic director Warren Freidrichs said. “I’d encourage any students that are on campus to come and take a look. We need to raise the roof in the Fieldhouse.”
Conference play will begin Jan. 2, at Willamette.
“There have been a lot of high expectations about the team this year and we haven’t proven anything yet till we play a game, but the team is coming together,” junior guard Clay Gebbers said. “We always have a great group of guys here and we’re excited to see what we can do. Hopefully we can go farther than ever this year in the NCAA tournament. It will be a lot of tough games but a big part of our team is how close we are.”
The Pirates have a challenging season ahead of them but are hopeful that their hyped-up crowds and deep talent will pull them through.
Contact David Rurik at david.rurik@whitworthian.com.
Bucs hope to hook fourth NCAA trip
Published: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Updated: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
 "Photo: Brandon Hemming/Whitworthian")
Brandon Hemming/Whitworthian
Sophomore Michael Taylor competes in the slam dunk contest during Midnight Madness Thursday night in the Fieldhouse.
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