MC Hoops!

I almost fell off my chair when the Atlantic Region field was announced just now for the men's Division II tournament. Check out the bracket:

1 West Liberty
8 Slippery Rock

4 Shaw
5 Winston Salem State

3 Bowie State
6 Mansfield

2 IUP
7 West Va. Wesleyan

Notice anybody missing from that list? Mercyhurst. Despite a 20-7 overall record, the Lakers missed out on their first-ever NCAA bid in school history. How quickly Mercyhurst crashed from the basketball penthouse.

Heading into the Gannon game on Feb. 16, the Hurst was 19-3 overall, #3 in the region, #17 in the country, undefeated in the PSAC West, and two games ahead of IUP for hosting the conference tournament. The Knights outworked the Lakers, 79-71, which started a season-ending streak where Mercyhurst lost 4 of its last 5.

If I was as big a Laker fan as I am a Gannon fan, I would be puking my guts out right now. Or punching myself in the face. Or both. Even if you're a Laker Hater, you have to feel awful for them. -- JR

JR -- I totally agree. -- JRL