The time is here. The Wilmington College men's basketball team is 40 minutes away from qualifying for the NCAA tournament for the second time in five years.
The Fightin' Quakers, the third seed in the OAC tournament, host #5 John Carroll 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court. It will be the third time in five years WC has made the OAC finals, and the first time it will be in Wilmington.
Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $2 for non-OAC students. Fans with student ID's from OAC schools receive free admission.
Wilmington swept the season series from the Blue Streaks, including a 97-74 win on February 16 in University Heights. However, the Fightin' Quakers know they are in for a battle.
"They are extremely talented," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "They have some young guys that I think was just going through the grind of the OAC, and when you play an 18-game league schedule – it's a grind. Two things you see on film, number one, they are making shots; being more efficient offensively. Number two, their effort and urgency level, and just relentless John Carroll play is back to where it usually is."
With the five-in, five-out system, John Carroll poses many threats. All-OAC selections Jake Hollinger and David Hendrickson are averaging 11.9 and 11.8 points, respectively. Hollinger leads the team with 6.8 rebounds and Hendrickson leads the OAC with 2.5 steals. Freshman David Linane, who scored 19 points in Thursday's upset victory over Mount Union, is second in the OAC with 2.1 steals.
Two other players – Joey Vuyancih and Simon Kucharewicz – are dropping in 10.4 points each.
"They have a lot of weapons and that is why they are here," said Hunt.
Hunt adds that winning both game bears no meaning to Saturday's outcome.
"Obviously we are both very familiar with each other," he said. "I don't necessarily subscribe to the theory that you can't beat a team three times, or its difficult. Teams evolve as the season goes along. They have evolved, and I think we have evolved. It's going to be a fun game to watch, an up and down affair. The teams that does the little things best is going to win."
WC is lead by OAC Player of the Year Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) leads the league in both scoring (18.7 points) and rebounds (7.9). Junior R.J. Leppert, a second team selection, is second on the team with 13.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.
But, the Fightin' Quakers are far from a two-person team.
"We have five or six guys that can go get 20 on any given night," said Hunt. "We have a total team here. Guys that are willing to share the ball and make extra passes. I think the difference in the little things for us, is are you going to be solid with the ball, make pass fakes and are we going to just take care of it and make great decisions offensively. Defensively, are we going to be on point with no breakdowns."
