"There was a general consensus that we were there to take home a National Championship," said senior quad-captain forward Dan Wheeler. "Losing to Wittenburg [University in the Final Four] was a huge disappointment, and it still is. Seeing the goal we had been working toward for five months get stamped out right in front of us was a terrible feeling-I still get fired up when I think about it."
The trip to the Final Four involved one of the most amazing games in Amherst history. The Jeffs met Tufts University in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, having beaten the Jumbos twice during the regular season. After a back-and-forth battle the entire 48 minutes, it looked as though Tufts would come away with the win when Jake Weitzen was fouled and had the opportunity to give the Jumbos a four-point advantage with only a few seconds remaining. He missed the first foul shot, however, setting the stage for arguably the greatest moment in Amherst sports history. Guard Andrew Olson '08, unable to find an open teammate, was forced to take an off-balance three-point prayer that somehow found its way into the net to tie the game. The play became know as the "The Shot" and was shown on ESPN. The Jeffs took advantage of their good fortune and won in overtime, 90-85.
The euphoria of Olson's miracle was short-lived, however, as the Jeffs came up just short in Salem, Va., against Wittenburg, losing 64-60, before dropping the consolation game to Illinois-Wesleyan University and finishing the season fourth in the nation.
Despite the disappointment of the tough losses in Salem, the team remains confident entering this season. Following the consolation game loss, announcer Michael Silverman '07, who had made the trip down to Salem to broadcast the game, saw guard Adolphe Coulibably '08 shooting on the court and offered his condolences. "No worries, we'll be back next year," was Coulibaly's immediate response.
The team will first have to figure out how to replace a graduating class that won a record 105 games in their tenure. John Bedford '06, who finished as the third leading scorer in Amherst history; John Casnocha '06, a deadly accurate three-point shooter; Ray Corrigan '06, a lock-down defender; and Keith Zalaski '06, a respected team leader, will all be missed. In addition, the Jeffs will be without the services of Matt Goldsmith '08, who suffered a compound fracture during Fall Break, breaking both bones in his leg. "Matt's a tough-minded player and person and I know it kills him to be a spectator right now, but I'm confident he's going to be back on the court this season," said quad-captain guard Tim McLaughlin '07.
The team is confident that they will be able to fill the holes. "I think one of the strengths of our program is our team depth," said Wheeler. "Last year we had guys like McLaughlin and Coulibaly coming off the bench for us when they could have probably started at any other school in the NESCAC." Both Olson and Wheeler were second-team All-NESCAC last season and showed the ability to take over games at crucial points. Coulibaly, a Div. I transfer from Brown University, has tremendous athleticicism and could turn into an impact scorer. McLaughlin was one of the best defensive players in the NESCAC coming off the bench last year, and juniors center Kevin Hopkins and forward Brandon Jones will provide a presence in the post. Sophomore guard Brian Baskauskas, who came in as a highly recruited first-year but spent most of last season buried on the bench, should also see significant minutes.
If there is one problem the Jeffs won't have, it's hunger. "Hopefully this year we can get back to Salem," said Hopkins. "We have some unfinished business to take care of."
NESCAC Notes
Trinity College, who finished second to the Jeffs in the conference last season, return eight players this season; the Bantams did, however, lose all-time leading scorer Tyler Rhoten. Tufts University, who came in third last season, lost only center Dan Martin from last year's 23-win team.