Just getting to NCAA tournament not enough
Mar 9, 2007 10:01:36 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2007 10:01:36 GMT -5
www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/wsu/2007/03/09/ddn030907raiderconnection.html
Just getting to NCAA tournament not enough for Brownell
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
Friday, March 09, 2007
FAIRBORN — Those who think Wright State's basketball team is happy just to make the NCAA tournament field are wrong.
Coach Brad Brownell's goal is to win — at least once — there too.
"You don't just want to get there and play," Brownell said in the wake of Tuesday night's 60-55 victory over Butler to capture the Horizon League tournament championship and automatic NCAA bid. "You want to go and win.
"And that's the next thing for our staff to do — make sure these guys understand there's more basketball to be played, to play with purpose, to be excited about what you've accomplished, but always look to move forward.
"With our older players, we won't just go there hoping to show up. We'll go to try to win."
Because the 23-9 Raiders secured a tournament berth so early, they have a long time between games — they won't play until Thursday or Friday, and won't know before the field is announced Sunday at 6 p.m. on CBS.
It will be only the second NCAA Division I tournament with the Raiders as a participant, a fact not lost on Brownell, in his first season with the team. Wright State was a No. 16 seed in the 1993 tournament, losing 97-54 in a first-round game to No. 1-seed Indiana in a game played at Indianapolis, not exactly neutral territory.
Immediately after Tuesday's game, Brownell gave his team two days off. It was to return to practice today.
"We had to wait 14 years," Brownell said. "We're going to take at least 48 hours, if you don't mind. I mean, we like to practice, but we're going to take 48 hours and enjoy it and get back in the gym and try to win some games."
This is Brownell's fifth trip to the tournament. In two of his final three seasons as an assistant coach at North Carolina-Wilmington, the Seahawks went to the NCAAs under coach Jerry Wainwright. In two of Brownell's four seasons following Wainwright as head coach, the Seahawks went again.
As a No. 15 seed to No. 2 Cincinnati in 2000, Wilmington lost, 64-47, in a first-round game. Two years later, Wilmington, a No. 13, beat No. 4 Southern Cal, 93-89, in overtime, then lost to No. 5 Indiana, 76-67, in Round 2.
With Brownell as head coach in 2003, Wilmington was in a 11-6 seed matchup with Maryland, losing, 75-73. Last season, seeded No. 9 to No. 8 George Washington, the Seahawks lost, 88-85, in overtime.
Just getting to NCAA tournament not enough for Brownell
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
Friday, March 09, 2007
FAIRBORN — Those who think Wright State's basketball team is happy just to make the NCAA tournament field are wrong.
Coach Brad Brownell's goal is to win — at least once — there too.
"You don't just want to get there and play," Brownell said in the wake of Tuesday night's 60-55 victory over Butler to capture the Horizon League tournament championship and automatic NCAA bid. "You want to go and win.
"And that's the next thing for our staff to do — make sure these guys understand there's more basketball to be played, to play with purpose, to be excited about what you've accomplished, but always look to move forward.
"With our older players, we won't just go there hoping to show up. We'll go to try to win."
Because the 23-9 Raiders secured a tournament berth so early, they have a long time between games — they won't play until Thursday or Friday, and won't know before the field is announced Sunday at 6 p.m. on CBS.
It will be only the second NCAA Division I tournament with the Raiders as a participant, a fact not lost on Brownell, in his first season with the team. Wright State was a No. 16 seed in the 1993 tournament, losing 97-54 in a first-round game to No. 1-seed Indiana in a game played at Indianapolis, not exactly neutral territory.
Immediately after Tuesday's game, Brownell gave his team two days off. It was to return to practice today.
"We had to wait 14 years," Brownell said. "We're going to take at least 48 hours, if you don't mind. I mean, we like to practice, but we're going to take 48 hours and enjoy it and get back in the gym and try to win some games."
This is Brownell's fifth trip to the tournament. In two of his final three seasons as an assistant coach at North Carolina-Wilmington, the Seahawks went to the NCAAs under coach Jerry Wainwright. In two of Brownell's four seasons following Wainwright as head coach, the Seahawks went again.
As a No. 15 seed to No. 2 Cincinnati in 2000, Wilmington lost, 64-47, in a first-round game. Two years later, Wilmington, a No. 13, beat No. 4 Southern Cal, 93-89, in overtime, then lost to No. 5 Indiana, 76-67, in Round 2.
With Brownell as head coach in 2003, Wilmington was in a 11-6 seed matchup with Maryland, losing, 75-73. Last season, seeded No. 9 to No. 8 George Washington, the Seahawks lost, 88-85, in overtime.