DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”
DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”
DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”
DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”
DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”
DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”
DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”
DAYTON, Ohio — When Wagner’s lead shrank from 13 factors to at least one within the last three minutes of Tuesday evening’s First 4 matchup towards Howard, coach Donald Copeland saved his composure.
His staff, fairly actually, was on the ground, and he ready to journey with it till the top.
“It isn’t far of a glance down the bench, proper?” Copeland stated. “You have to be calm.”
Wagner had made its unbelievable run to the NCAA match with a roster of seven wholesome gamers. The Sixteenth-seeded Seahawks will forge on with the identical group after outlasting Howard 71-68 for the varsity’s first NCAA match win.
Copeland’s magnificent seven superior within the West Area and can face No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“That is tremendous robust,” guard Julian Brown stated. “You’ll by no means assume that we might come into March Insanity with seven gamers and win. It is undoubtedly been surreal, it is undoubtedly been loopy, however we have got confidence in our guys.”
Brown hit two free throws with 14.9 seconds left — ready out an officers’ stoppage in between to reset the clock — and pointed to his wrist every time. After Howard missed three 3-point makes an attempt that might have tied the sport earlier than the buzzer, Brown once more tapped his wrist, screaming “Sport time!” to the gang.
“My favourite participant is Damian Lillard, I look as much as him, mannequin my recreation after it,” stated Brown, who completed with 15 factors. “Each time he makes a clutch basket, he says, ‘It is time, it is time.'”
Brown was one in every of three Wagner gamers to play all 40 minutes within the win, becoming a member of fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. (21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Javier Ezquerra (8 assists). Endurance is the one possibility for a staff that misplaced standout Rahmir Moore and different key contributors to accidents, together with most of its entrance line.
Wagner hasn’t held a observe with contact since December, and it wanted the coaches to actively take part to simulate recreation conditions. The staff dropped three straight in January and 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games however sparked within the Northeast Convention match, taking down the highest three seeds to succeed in the NCAA match for the primary time since 2003.
“I might think about some locations, they could come within the fitness center and say, ‘Hey, pay attention, we acquired seven, let’s undergo the motions,'” Copeland stated. “We by no means did that. We ready the correct method. We anticipated to win even after we did lose.”
Copeland had projected 4 of the injured gamers as starters and two as rotation gamers. However the group that stayed wholesome cast on.
Council, a first-team all-league choice, stated enjoying short-handed within the NCAA match made “no distinction,” though he famous that Wagner did not need the sport to succeed in time beyond regulation. Within the huddle after Howard reduce Wagner’s result in one, Council, who was 0-of-3 from the foul line, advised Brown to get the ball on an inbounds play.
“He is the perfect,” Ezquerra stated of Brown. “I do know he was going to make it. He is assured. He is constructed for these moments.”
Howard, the Mid-Jap Athletic Convention champion, had been flustered by Wagner’s protection a lot of the recreation however surged late behind Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield. However after Brown’s free throws, the Bison could not discover the decisive basket as Jordan Hairston (twice) and Marcus Dockery missed from 3-point vary. Ahead Seth Cities, a 26-year-old in his eighth school season after enjoying for each Harvard and Ohio State, completed his profession with 16 factors, tying Harris for the staff excessive.
Regardless of 4 turnovers within the last 3:18, Wagner did sufficient to maintain enjoying within the match.
“We have solely acquired seven guys, so late recreation, typically we get a bit of bit drained,” Brown stated. “However Coach does in each observe, he pushes us by way of adversity. So we’re not rattled. We stated, ‘No matter occurs, let’s simply end this recreation.'”