By DEANA LAUDICINA
Ramapo College #1 seed men’s basketball team received a first-round bye, giving them to automatically going straight into the second round of playoffs in the upcoming tournament after a huge win over New Jersey City University.
The team will be hosting the NJAC Tournament Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m.
The Roadrunners ended their regular season with a record of 23-2 overall and 16-2 in their conference. Ramapo will be facing #4 Rowan University where the Roadrunners have played them twice this seasons with both outcomes being a win.
“My expectations for Tuesday are for it to be a great atmosphere. After having our last playoff game last season we know it’s going to be great and we’re hoping to come out with a win this time,” said teammate James Long.
The team was recently ranked #8 in the country on D3Hoops Feb.13. This will be Ramapo’s 11th trip to the NJAC Tournament with the head coach Chuck McBreen. The winner of the tournament gets a guaranteed bid to the NCAA Tournament.
“Our goal is to go out and give our best effort and play as hard as we can to achieve our main goal which is to win the championship,” said teammate Joshua Ford.
Team Mentally Prepares for Game
When asking Long and Ford what their team’s over mentality about going into this game Tuesday they both have similar mindsets.
“Our Team’s mentality going into Tuesday is to stay focused. Even though we have already beat them twice, we know how difficult it is to beat a team three times,” said Long. “That’s why we are going into the game not thinking about anything other than the game that day, and we’re hoping to go 1-0 Tuesday.”
“Our Team’s mentality is to just play our game and give one hundred percent every possession and leave it all out on the court,” said Ford.
As the players said it is not just only the team who is there for our wins, it is also the fans who have the main impact on their wins. “The crowd will be like a sixth man for us like they have been all season,” Long added.
[AUDIO: Listen to Meagan Majowicz, a Junior of Ramapo College talk about Ramapo Men’s Basketball team upcoming game]
“It feels great to host a playoff game! We get to have our fans in the building supporting us which is what we need to win these next two games,” Ford said.
The first 450 Ramapo College students will get in free with their ID, make sure you go out and support the Roadrunners achieve their goal and get that ring. Catch all the action Feb. 21, 7:00 p.m, in the Bradley Center.
I would have liked to learn more about the Rowan team. You mentioned that Ramapo had beaten them twice already this season, but how have they played other than that. Great article!