Athlete’s View

Q1. What impact do you think the BU Zoo will have this weekend?

Q2. Which team poses the biggest threat to your team?

Q3. What do you have to do to win this tournament?

Q4. How excited are you to finally get the playoffs started?

Junior shooting guard Troy Hailey

A1. Last year the crowd was unbelievable. I could only imagine how it’s going to be.

A2. Right now, it’s Maine. They are the only team in our way.

A3. We have to stop Maine’s three guards Saturday. Defense turns into offense.

A4. This is it right here. It’s the beginning of March Madness.

Sophomore power forward Jordan Fithian

A1. Anytime you can pack screaming fans in here, we thrive on it.

A2. Maine is the first team we have to play. If we don’t beat Maine, we don’t move on.

A3. It’s gotta be defense and rebounding, staying healthy and keeping your body intact.

A4. We finished the season up on a plus. We’re ready to go.

Sophomore center Giovanni Olomo

A1. It’s definitely going to be important to have all their support.

A2. Anyone could be dangerous. Every team is going to give their best efforts.

A3. Our defense is the main focus, and rebounding and taking care of the ball.

A4. I’m as excited as I can be.

Sophomore point guard Mike Gordon

A1. They are gonna come up big. That’s exactly what we need.

A2. We’re not worried about anyone but Maine.

A3. Defense and playing hard, just like every other game.

A4. It’s tournament time. Nobody wants to go home.

Ask Al

Q. Can we have an injury update on Duane James and Jordan Fithian?

A. Duane James is 100 percent. Jordan Fithian continues to improve and I anticipate he’ll be suited up for the tournament.

Q. How confident are you about playing Maine in the quarterfinals?

A. This Maine team, I think, is the hottest team in the league right now. They won three in a row and they shot 53 percent from the three-point line in these last three games. We’re going to have to defend and I think we’re capable of defending. That’s what I like about my team.

Q. Is there anything you said to your guys to motivate them?

A. Well, it’s just a one-game tournament. You either go on spring break or keep playing.

Q. Who are you rooting for in the Vermont/Boston game?

A. Against Vermont, we’ve been able to squeak out two wins, and the Boston U. program is a great program, so no matter who we’re going to play if we’re lucky enough to play in the semis, those guys are lined up and believe they can kick our tail.

One Year Ago – March 4, 2005

The golden ticket! Last year, for the first time, March Madness hit Binghamton’s Events Center. Much like this weekend, all 10 teams (including recently departed Northeastern) were vying for the one available spot in the NCAA tournament. Pipe Dream simulated every game on EA Sports’ March Madness 2005, broke down every matchup and even offered up a prediction or two. Vermont held the conference’s top spot, and was followed by Northeastern, Boston, Albany, Binghamton and Maine. Stony Brook, New Hampshire, UMBC and Hartford all had to play first round games Friday night. Back in the day, Taylor Coppenrath and Jose Juan Barea led the conference in scoring, but luckily for BU Zoo members, the Bearcats don’t have to worry about those two superstars this season.

One Year Ago – March 6, 2005

Just look at Nick Billings face. Now that’s determination. Binghamton was just stayin’ alive with its six-point quarterfinal win over Albany. The Bearcats joined Vermont, Northeastern and Maine in the semis, but not everyone celebrated that night. New Hampshire senior Ben Sturgill kneeled at midcourt with the ball in his hands after his team was eliminated from the tournament, as his college basketball career had also come to an end. Binghamton’s season came to an end the following day when it was eliminated by No. 1 Vermont in front of more than 5,000 fans. It marked the final games for graduating players Billings, Alex Adediran, Billy Williams and Joe White. Vermont beat Northeastern the following week to win its third straight America East title, and the Catamounts went on to beat Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA tournament.