Hopes are running high for the 2002-03 season for the Mary Washington College men's basketball program. With all five starters returning to the fold for 2002-03 as well as a very talented group of newcomers to push for starting roles, the Eagles look to rank among the top teams in the always-tough Capital Athletic Conference.
Leading the way for the Eagles are returning seniors Dan Dupras, Cris Hairston, and Brett Lively. Dupras, a two-time All-CAC performer, netted 13.6 PPG and 6.6 rebounds per game in '01-'02. Hairston, who emerged as a top player last winter, averaged team highs of 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and shot 49.4% from the floor, another team high. Lively, who led the nation among Division III schools in three-point shooting as a freshman, scored 11.3 PPG and also halued in 4.5 rebounds per game.
A pair of juniors with a year of starting experience completes the returning group. Guard Evan Fowler ranked among conference leaders in assists (5.62/game) and assist/turnover ratio (2.18), while improving his own offense to 5.0 PPG. Long-range threat Erik Rodriguez finished fourth on the team in scoring a year ago, netting 9.2 PPG, including a team-high seventy three-pointers.
With the returning players and a group of solid newcomers that will push for playing time as well as starting roles, the overall depth of the team looks to be better than it has in several years. In addition to the transfers and freshmen, MWC will also eye the return of big man Mike Moore, who has been hampered by injuries in each of the past two seasons after transferring from Randolph-Macon College.
Returnees BillyWilkerson, Will Doggett, and Dan Heselbarth will also look to provide depth and earn quality minutes this season. As always, the schedule will be complete with battles against Capital Athletic Conference foes such as Catholic University, Marymount University, and Goucher College. Additionally, the Eagles will play in two tournaments in 2002-03, at Shenandoah University and Emory & Henry College. MWC will again visit Division One Virginia Military Institute in December, and also face non-league opponents Union College, Villa Julie College, Washington & Lee University, and Washington College.
The trademarks of MWC men's basketball have been rebounding and defense, and 2001-02 was no different. The Eagles ranked second in the conference in defense, allowing just 71.5 points per game, and were fourth in rebounding, with 37.2 rebounds per contest. Since Wood has taken over the Eagle program, MWC has ranked in the top half of the conference in rebounding and scoring defense every year, and had the league's leading individual rebounder three times.
With a large cast of returnees back for 2002-03, as well as several standout transfers and freshmen, the Mary Washington College men's basketball team will look to continue to ascend to the top of the Capital Athletic Coriference and contend for a NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament berth.