Basketball to host first first-round game

Author: Jeff Klein

Rest assured, Panther fans: History is not doomed to repeat itself.

Facing tough NESCAC opponents on the road, the Middlebury men's basketball team ended its regular season in convincing fashion, defeating Wesleyan and Connecticut College by scores of 64-58 and 69-59. With the victories, the Panthers finished fourth in the conference and will host the school's first-ever NESCAC tournament quarterfinal game against Colby on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.

Having lost three of their last four NESCAC games entering the weekend, the team was coming dangerously close to repeating last season's meltdown when it raced out to a 10-3 record before compiling a 1-8 record in NESCAC play and missing the postseason.

Two crucial wins later, all doubts have been put to rest.

"The way we rolled early last year but missed the playoffs - it taught us that you want to finish strong," said Ben Ehrlich '09.

The seniors on the team want to end their college careers on top, and they know that any game from here on out might be their last. But that is not stopping them from savoring the moment and appreciating what they have already accomplished.

"I am very proud of this team and all that we have battled through thus far," said Evan Thompson '07. "It's amazing to see what a difference a year makes. I am thrilled about being able to host the school's first ever NESCAC Tournament quarterfinal game, and it means even more to know that the team is doing this in my final year at Midd."

For some members of the squad, however, this is their first taste of NESCAC postseason play and all of the emotions that come along with it.

"Going into my first ever NESCAC playoff game is very exciting," said point guard Ben Rudin '09. "Having played in other playoff games in my career, I've come to realize the difference between the regular season and the playoffs. Everyone knows that one loss will end their season and that is all the motivation a team needs."

The Panthers opened up on Friday night Feb. 9 against a fired up Wesleyan team with similar playoff aspirations. Middlebury started out sluggishly, trailing 9-2 early on, before battling back to tie the game at 11. Wesleyan pulled ahead again but the Panthers countered with a run of their own to tie it at 23.

The Panthers came out of intermission roaring, as they turned a slim 30-27 lead into a comfortable 14-point advantage. But Wesleyan was not done, trimming the Panther lead to 56-54 at the 1:13 mark. That was as close as the Cardinals would come, as clutch free throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win for Middlebury. Aaron Smith '09 led the Panthers with 17 points on seven of nine shooting to go along with his 10 rebounds.

"They weren't doubling me in the post," said Smith, "and I just wanted to get their best player in foul trouble so I took it right at him. I also have to credit my teammates for putting me in a great position to score. Whenever one of our guards drives the lane, he attracts a lot of attention, so I expect a dish for an easy score."

The following day, in the game that clinched the fourth seed for Middlebury, the Panthers built a sizeable 31-19 lead with 2:04 to play in the opening half. The Camels responded with an 8-0 run to close within four at the half.

Similar to the night before against Wesleyan, Middlebury extended its lead in the beginning of the second half but could not pull away. The Camels hung around as the half wound down, but once again, solid Panther free throw shooting ensured the victory. Middlebury hit seven from the charity stripe in the final minute.

After closing out the regular season with two close wins, the team believes it can make a deep run in the playoffs.

"I believe this team can win a NESCAC championship," said Thompson. "I did at the end of last season, during preseason, and I still do. This being said, we have one, and only one, game to concentrate on right now, and that's Saturday."