With conference championship implications hanging in the balance, any follower of the Washington University men’s basketball team knew that this weekend’s two home contests against Brandeis University and New York University (NYU) could prove conclusive in determining a UAA champion.
Early Sunday afternoon, games in the University Athletic Association conference tend to be devoid of the fan excitement and defensive intensity, which characterize Friday night battles.
However, such was not the case yesterday.
Sophomore Aaron Thompson and senior Troy Ruths provided memorable performances Sunday, as the ninth-ranked Washington University men’s basketball team pulled off a mild, but no less thrilling, upset over third-ranked Rochester, 54-53 at the Field House.
With its Sunday afternoon road victory over then-No.2 Brandeis, the Washington University men’s basketball team finds itself in a familiar position: number one in the nation.
The weekly D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, released Monday evening, rewarded the Bears for their two road wins last weekend over New York University and Brandeis.
After Brandeis guard Joe Coppens’ off-balanced three-point attempt fell into the hands of Wash. U.’s Tyler Nading, one could hardly blame the Bears for the brief but emotional post-game celebration, which immediately followed the errant, last-second jumper at Auerbach Arena Sunday.
Prior to the start of the 2007-2008 Washington University men’s basketball season, sophomore Aaron Thompson was not a point guard. His classmate Ross Kelley, was, but had hardly any collegiate experience playing his native position.
When junior and pre-season All-American point guard Sean Wallis went down with a season- ending injury early in the third game of the season, it quickly became clear that Thompson and Kelley would have to help fill the void left by last season’s star floor general.
In a season which is likely to be replete with nail-biting games, Saturday’s down-to-the-wire battle with Illinois Wesleyan University represents what the Washington University men’s basketball team hopes will be the end result in many of its contests this winter: a hard-fought victory.
Last year’s run to the Division III Final Four in Salem, Virginia was truly special for the Washington University men’s basketball team and its fan base, which seemed to grow with each thrilling victory.
At the heart of the young team’s success was its stalwart point guard and fan favorite, current junior Sean Wallis.
In Sunday’s sectional championship match, time simply ran out on the Washington University men’s soccer team and their brilliant 2007 season.
The Bears nearly fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the game’s final twenty minutes.
Dear Editor,
Over the past few days, concerning aspects of Dean Sansalone’s approach to reforming the School of Engineering have received considerable exposure. However, little coverage has been given to the positive changes she has implemented within the School.
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