Posted: Mar 02, 2012
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- The Endicott Gulls men's basketball team has arrived in Oswego, N.Y. and is preparing for tonight's NCAA first round matchup against the Lakers of SUNY Oswego.
After a long journey yesterday morning, the Gulls reached Oswego and practiced at Laker Hall. The Gulls will return to the gym for a shootaround at 11:00 this morning and then rest up this afternoon before this evenings contest.
The Gulls are making their fifth appearance in the NCAA tournament, after winning the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) title last Saturday. It is the first conference title and tournament appearance for the Gulls since 2006, when Endicott capped a streak of three consecutive conference crowns.
"It's really a huge honor to say that I've accomplishd some of what (the past championship teams) have accomplished," said Endicott senior forward Aaron Karkow, who said he is enjoying the trip despite the long drive and the early morning departure. "The drive wasn't too bad, despite the snow. The facilities and where we practiced have all been real nice, and this has been one of the better experiences travelling that I've had."
Endicott is looking for their first NCAA victory in their four tries. They have previously been defeated in NCAA meetings with Hamilton, Babson, Western Connecticut, and most recently an 83-60 loss to Tufts University in 2006.
Karkow, who is honored to end his senior season with an NCAA appearance after failing to make the CCC playoffs in his freshman year, knows what it would mean to be the team that brings home the first victory on the national stage.
"It's a testatment to those guys who played before us," said Karkow. "I think it would mean so much to them because as important as it is to us, I know it means a lot to them too. I think that's another driving force in trying to develop our program. If we can get a win and get our names out there, it means a lot to the alumni and it menas a lot to us."
The Gulls will tip-off at 7:30 against the SUNY Oswego Lakers. Check ecgulls.com for links to live stats, video and audio of the game.
