Just because Washington University is returning to the NCAA Division III Men's Final Four for the second consecutive season doesn't mean that this year was the same-old, same-old.
"Last year was an adventure," Bears coach Mark Edwards said. "This year, we're on a journey."
The Bears' adventure of 2006-07 included sneaking up on opponents and a Final Four weekend in Salem, Va., that was full of fun and heartbreak. The Bears lost the national semifinal to Virginia Wesleyan 67-65 after a 3-point shot that would have won the game sailed just after the buzzer.
This year's journey began with the Bears ranked No. 1, four returning starters and a schedule that was ranked the toughest in Division III.
"No one knew our potential last year," sophomore guard Aaron Thompson said. "We didn't have that luxury this year. Teams just came after us."
Just three games into the season, point guard Sean Wallis suffered a broken leg that required surgery. The Bears lost their next game, against No. 5 Augustana, and dropped to No. 12 in the D3hoops.com poll.
"We had to find someone to fill Sean's role, and that was tough," said Thompson, who averages 11.0 points. Eventually, sophomore Ross Kelley emerged and became a starter in early January. "We found that Ross could handle the ball, but he also brought us another level of defensive intensity."
With a revamped identity, the Bears rose to No. 1 by early February but tumbled again with a road loss to No. 2 Rochester and a 31-point debacle to unranked Carnegie Mellon, also on the road.
"We were humbled," said junior forward Tyler Nading, who averages 14.8 points. "We had to get mentally tough."
The Bears called on the memory Saturday, when they trailed Millsaps 27-18 at halftime of the sectional final. Determined not to repeat the mistake they made against Carnegie Mellon, the Bears outscored Millsaps 39-19 and rallied for a 57-46 victory.
So, the No. 11 Bears (23-6) return to Salem for a game against top-ranked Hope College of Holland, Mich., at 6 p.m. St. Louis time today with more seasoning than last season. This year, they know the drill. From the moment they get off the plane, the Bears will be escorted by a camera crew that records their every move: from the champions breakfast, to the player of the year presentation to Bears center Troy Ruths, to media interviews, to practice, to the championship banquet, through meetings and games.
"To have another chance is a golden opportunity," Edwards said. "I think it means that you did learn something from the year before."
They learned a little about Hope (27-3), defeating the Flying Dutchmen in the sectional final last year. Hope leads Division III in scoring margin, at 18.3 per game, and has four players who average in double figures.
"They got stronger as the year progressed," Edwards said. "They're a good half-court team, similar to us. Very unselfish, similar to us. They may be a little more physical."
The winner will advance to the national championship Saturday against No. 2 Amherst (25-3) or No. 19 Ursinus (29-2).
"We know what to expect," Nading said. "All the festivities are great, but you can't get caught up in all that. We're going there to win games."
* knelson@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8233
Copyright 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
| • | Washington University: No surprise this time
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Friday, March 21, 2008 Byline: Kathleen Nelson, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH |
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