MC HOOP SCOOP
Inside the Maryville College Men’s Basketball Program February 2012 Edition
Welcome to MC’s Hoop Scoop
Welcome to the February edi2on of the MC Hoop Scoop! The last month has been wild to say the least for the men’s basketball team, as we went 7‐1 in our final 8 games to finish with an overall record of 18‐9. Included in that stretch of wins was Head Coach Randy Lambert’s 600th career coaching victory, which was achieved against LaGrange College, 63‐50, in the last game of the regular season. Victories 17 and 18 came against Piedmont College in the GSAC tournament semi‐finals by a score of 94‐70, and once more against LaGrange College in the tournament championship with a final score of 75‐73. This season’s conference 2tle marks Maryville’s 9th championship in the conference’s 12 year existence. Along with bringing home the championship, Maryville’s Maverick WilleX earned GSAC tournament MVP to go along with Chris2an Ford, who was selected to the regular season all‐conference and all‐freshman teams, and Milton Stanley, who was voted the conference’s Most Valuable Player! With us ending our season on a hot streak and running our record to 18‐9, we were able to put together a strong enough South Region record to receive a bid to play in the 2011‐2012 NCAA DIII Na2onal Tournament and experience another season of march madness! The selec2on marks our 12th trip to the Na2onal Tournament in the last 13 seasons with the lone excep2on being last year. Prior to last year, we had earned a trip to the big dance 11 consecu2ve seasons. Hopefully we have started a new streak! This season’s draw has us matched up to play The College of Wooster, the host team of the 1st and 2nd rounds, as well as last season’s na2onal runner‐up. We have our work cut out for us but we have been playing well as of late and our team chemistry is the highest it has been all season. Scots fans can catch the 1st round ac2on by finding the link on either Maryville’s website or Wooster’s. Tip‐off is scheduled for Friday night, March 2nd, 7:30 p.m.!
Maryville College Basketball 2011-2012 Great South Champions 9th GSAC Title
Coach Lambert’s Corner Dear Scots Roundball Fans:
NUMBERS NCAA Tournaments 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 1994-1995 1996-1997 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2011-2012
The month of February is always extremely hec2c for a basketball coach, but these past few weeks have been crazy. On February 18th at LaGrange, I was fortunate enough to win my 600th game. This was a special moment for me and I was happy to share it with my team and staff members. It was great to get all of the phone calls, e‐mails, and a few personal visits from my ex‐players and assistant coaches as they congratulated me on this milestone. I tried to let them all know how much I appreciated their kind words and their contribu2on to the cause over the years. Their friendships and rela2onships over the years have meant the world to me and I value each and every one of them. I want you all to know that I am flaXered and humbled by all the aXen2on. The following week a`er the LaGrange victory, we had to get ready for the conference tournament. We had a great week of prac2ce. Our team seemed to finally “get it.” They have bought‐in to what we have been preaching about all year‐ the importance of playing aggressive, solid team defense. It is one thing to contain and stop your man, but it is another thing to help your teammates and make plays on the defensive end. Ballside defense is what makes your defense tough. Helpside defense is what makes it successful. Help and recovery without gedng hurt wins championships. The help and recovery phase means that the defender is leaving his man to give help and then is returning to his man without giving up a score. Good defensive teams make mistakes, but great teams cover up their mistakes. We are gedng beXer and our players are feeling good about themselves. Over the past weekend, we won the Great South Conference Tournament Championship. I was happy for our guys and par2cularly our four seniors. This will be the last GSAC Basketball game to be played with the merger of our conference with the USA South Conference. It was nice to go out just like we came in. In twelve conference tournaments, the Scots won nine of them.
MC’s 18th
NCA A Tournament
And now, we get ready for the Big Dance‐The Division III Na2onal Tournament. It is nice to get back in the tournament. This will make 12 trips in the last thirteen years‐another great accomplishment for the program. When it gets right down to it, it’s always about the program. We have had a lot of good coaches and players through the years that have contributed to the development of this program. I am proud of what we have done and looking forward to what we will do. The future looks good for our team. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow will bring. Sincerely,
Randy Lambert
MC Basketball Alumnus of the Month Brent Watts Class of 2001 •
••
1) What did you major in?
Interna*onal Business. What have you done since? I just received my MBA from the University of Tennessee. 2) What was your most
memorable game? The McCord miracle for sure. We were playing Piedmont in the conference tournament semi‐finals. Jeff McCord hit a 75 foot shot at the buzzer to *e the game and send it into over*me. In over*me, the game was *ed and Coach Lambert called a *meout with only a few seconds leO. We were all wai*ng for a play call and Coach Lambert simply said, “WaQs, score” and I did! 3) Most memorable
moment? Bea*ng Hampden Sydney on their home floor when they were # 1 in the country and they had not lost a home game in 5 years. 4) Why did you choose to
aXend Maryville? My
Father was a senior when I entered as a freshman. Another big reason I aQended Maryville was my rela*onship with Coach Lambert throughout the recrui*ng process. 5) Most valuable lesson you
learned from coach? Work ethic. Just pu\ng in a more efficient and consistent effort than your compe*tor. Being a professional in all you do. 6) What is going on in your
life now? I am happily married with a son who is 2 years old. He will be a Maryville Scot in 2028. No maQer if tui*on is 6 million dollars. 1997‐2001
Career Averages: 12.8 ppg 3 rpg 77%FT, 205 three pointers made (37%)
Senior Season: 16.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 80% FT, 39% 3pt line, 43%FG
Brent Watts
CONGRATULATIONS SCOTS BASKETBALL 2011-2012