William and Mary Basketball: NCAA Material?
Hart Moore | News Editor
Last Updated:2/3/10 Section: News
|
The above is highlighted by one last statistic: William and Mary is one of four schools to have played 50 years of Division I basketball and still not make the NCAA tournament. Can William and Mary make history this year? Sports Illustrated seems to think so. (Sports columnist Bill Trochi has labeled this year's crop as "…[William and Mary's] best basketball team ever.) According to Coach Tony Shaver, however, the team is much more focused on their level of play. Shaver elaborates, "I read about it, believe me. But we try to focus on being execution -driven, not results-driven. So far, it's working." For David Schneider, however, their NCAA goal is much more tangible. He notes, "It is almost impossible to describe as far as what it would mean to the community and the school."
The student body has stood firmly behind the team, despite two recent bitter losses to VCU and ODU. January 23's game versus ODU shattered attendance records, and filled Kaplan Arena to a near-maximum7,686 fans. According to Ben Rosen ('10), a fan at the game, "The noise inside was deafening. You couldn't hear yourself think."
Only a year ago, the Tribe posted a record of 10 - 20. Shaver attributes this stark turn-around to team chemistry, and he notes that every player on the team posts a positive assists-to-turnover ratio. "I've coached for a long time and I've never had a team share the ball like these guys do."
Coach Shaver believes that perfection is very possible for the second half of the season. In close games decided by one or two points, the tribe shines with a 5 - 2 record. While the CAA has only received two 'at large' NCAA invitations, William and Mary remains in high contention for one, posting four RPI top-60 wins, including an RPI of 30 themselves. Until then, the Tribe will eagerly look forward to the CAA tournament being held in Richmond, VA this March.
Be the first to comment on this story