2008 Woodie Awards
Cardinal cagers close to top seed
Antonio Graves
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
Originally published: 2/21/08 at 3:47 PM EST
Last update: 2/22/08 at 12:24 AM EST
Don't look now, but the 2007-08 SUNYAC tournament is almost here. The Plattsburgh State Cardinals (21-2, 14-0 SUNYAC) are one win away from hosting the entire tournament. The Cards are coming off an impressive 83-59 victory over the Oneonta State Red Dragons (11-13, 6-9 SUNYAC).
The Cards have been slaying dragons all season having won all three games in which their opponent has been named the Red Dragons. In order to extend their winning streak to 15 games, the Cards will have to slay another dragon. At Cortland, the Cards will attempt to defeat the Cortland Red Dragons (18-5, 11-3 SUNYAC) for the second time this season.
The Cards are going into Friday night's game averaging 86 points per game over last three home games while attempting an average of 25.6 free-throws per game over the last five games. They have been attacking the basket with reckless abandonment and it has paid off throughout the season. The Cards will need to harness similar characteristics if they hope to match the Red Dragons' toughness.
"They are a really good shooting team but I'm more concerned about Cortland's physicality, size and strength," PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle said. "The thing that makes them a really good team is that they have a really high level of toughness for the game. Getting through their tough and physical screens will be key."
Cortland currently leads the conference in three-point percentage (.385) and is led by sophomore-forward Mike Lewis, who averages 13.8 points per game.
During the first encounter, PSUC were led in scoring by someone other than senior-guard Anthony Williams, who recently was named SUNYAC men's basketball Player of the Week for the second week straight and third time this season. Instead, senior-forward Khylan Hunt led the way with 17 points, nine rebounds and a block. Hunt saved the day with a three-point dagger with 1 minute and 40 seconds in the second half that broke the final tie of the game. This game was the only contest of the season in which Williams did not lead the Cardinals in scoring.
The regular season concludes on Saturday as the Cardinals take on the SUNYIT Wildcats (7-15, 2-11 SUNYAC). The Wildcats look to play spoiler as they were eliminated from playoff contention last week.
Coming off a 94-74 battle of the felines, against the Cazenovia Wildcats (12-12, 9-4 NEAC), the SUNYIT Wildcats are led by Dave Golembiowski, who averages 16.4 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. Freshman-forward Golembiowski recently earned the ECAC men's basketball Player of the Week award. He averaged a whopping 34.0 points a game while pulling down 7.5 rebounds for the week.
One win this weekend or a Brockport loss will ensure the Cardinals top-seed and home court advantage in the tournament. Both SUNYIT and Cortland have a chance to play spoiler this weekend if they can keep PSUC winless.
The Cards have been slaying dragons all season having won all three games in which their opponent has been named the Red Dragons. In order to extend their winning streak to 15 games, the Cards will have to slay another dragon. At Cortland, the Cards will attempt to defeat the Cortland Red Dragons (18-5, 11-3 SUNYAC) for the second time this season.
The Cards are going into Friday night's game averaging 86 points per game over last three home games while attempting an average of 25.6 free-throws per game over the last five games. They have been attacking the basket with reckless abandonment and it has paid off throughout the season. The Cards will need to harness similar characteristics if they hope to match the Red Dragons' toughness.
"They are a really good shooting team but I'm more concerned about Cortland's physicality, size and strength," PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle said. "The thing that makes them a really good team is that they have a really high level of toughness for the game. Getting through their tough and physical screens will be key."
Cortland currently leads the conference in three-point percentage (.385) and is led by sophomore-forward Mike Lewis, who averages 13.8 points per game.
During the first encounter, PSUC were led in scoring by someone other than senior-guard Anthony Williams, who recently was named SUNYAC men's basketball Player of the Week for the second week straight and third time this season. Instead, senior-forward Khylan Hunt led the way with 17 points, nine rebounds and a block. Hunt saved the day with a three-point dagger with 1 minute and 40 seconds in the second half that broke the final tie of the game. This game was the only contest of the season in which Williams did not lead the Cardinals in scoring.
The regular season concludes on Saturday as the Cardinals take on the SUNYIT Wildcats (7-15, 2-11 SUNYAC). The Wildcats look to play spoiler as they were eliminated from playoff contention last week.
Coming off a 94-74 battle of the felines, against the Cazenovia Wildcats (12-12, 9-4 NEAC), the SUNYIT Wildcats are led by Dave Golembiowski, who averages 16.4 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. Freshman-forward Golembiowski recently earned the ECAC men's basketball Player of the Week award. He averaged a whopping 34.0 points a game while pulling down 7.5 rebounds for the week.
One win this weekend or a Brockport loss will ensure the Cardinals top-seed and home court advantage in the tournament. Both SUNYIT and Cortland have a chance to play spoiler this weekend if they can keep PSUC winless.
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