The men's basketball season proved to be one of the most pleasant surprises at Mary Washington College in 2000-2001, with the Eagles, despite just two returnirrg starters, climbing to the upper echilon.of the Capital Athletic Conference. The Eagles were especially tough in the CAC, perhaps, the top Division III league in the nation. MWC registered five CAC wins at home before sellout crowds, four of which came down to last-second shots to either send the game to overtime or win the game. Support for the emerging program fueled Mary Washington's fourth place finish in the conference, which yielded the eventual national championship team.
The 2001-2002 Eagles will look to the continued development of several returnees, including All-CAC and all-state junior forward Dan Dupras, if they hope to contend for a league crown. Dupras, who started every game as a freshman in 99-00, became a force last winter, ranking among CAC leaders in scoring (17.8 PPG) and rebounding (8.2 RPG). The 6-6 Dupras was equally adept at driving to the basket (45.1 FG%), shooting from the perimeter (37 3-point baskets), or drawing a foul (76.1 FT%). His 28 points, and buzzer beaters at the end of regulation and at the close of the first overtime, led to MWC's 84-77 double overtime win against York College of PA. Dupras also scored a career high 29 points at Gallaudet in the regular season finale.
Another returnee who looks to make an impact this winter is sophomore point guard Evan Fowler. The 6-0 Fowler started every game a year ago and was the top playmaker in the CAC, averaging 5.67 assists per game and a 2.31 assist-to-turnover ratio, both tops in the conference. Forward John Kidwell produced a solid season as a junior last winter, averaging 9.8 PPG and 5,8 rebounds per contest. His turnaround jumper in the lane proved to be the differerice in MWC's 77-76 win over Salisbury State University in December.
Guard Brett Lively averaged 8.0 PPG last year after leading the nation in three-point shooting accuracy as a freshman in 99-00. He too added a buzzer-beater to his resume with an acrobatic layin to force OT in MWC's 81-75 win over Goucher College in January.
With two starters returning and just one senior on its' roster, the 2000-2001 MWC men's basketball team had several players contribute immediately to the team's success. With Coach Rod Wood's philosophy of liberal substitutions, many new faces continued to contribute with substantial minutes.
Several players from the developmental squad that will look to make a splash this winter include guard Billy Wilkerson and forwards Dan Heselbarth and Mike
Moore, who transferred in after starting a year ago at Randolph-Macon College.
With a top returning group and one of the best recruiting classes in recent memory, the Eagles will face a challengirig schedule again in 2001-2002, In addition to the Capital Athletic Conference schedule that includes two games each against regional powers Catholic University, Maryrnount University, and St. Mary's College of MD, the Eagles will also face a strong non-conference slate that includes Division One VMI, as well as many other strong Division III programs that include Washington (MD) College, Western Maryland College; and Newport News Apprentice School.