Pioneer Men's Basketball - NCAA 1999 Playoff Recap

Repeat after me: Pioneers are champs

By Paul Erickson

UW-Platteville SID

SALEM, VA--Right before the UW-Platteville men's basketball team departed for Virginia, all the wall hangings were taken down from the Williams Fieldhouse walls to give the facility a much-needed painting.

Before everything is put back up, university officials will have to figure out how to fit in a new banner and new team picture.

The Team of the 1990s won its fourth NCAA Division III national championship of the decade with a thrilling 76-75 double-overtime victory over Hampden-Sydney before 4,461 fans at the Salem Civic Center.

Colin Gassner's cut and layup with 20 seconds left proved to be the difference in the back-and-forth contest. The Tigers got off several shot attempts in the final seconds, including a final 17-foot shot by Jeremy Harris. When his floating jump shot missed at the buzzer, the Pioneers had their second consecutive title.

"Whew, I wish I were a fan just watching this game," Pioneer Coach Bo Ryan said. "They had to get their money's worth. This was something."

The national title completed a 30-2 season, a year in which not many people expected the Pioneers to be standing at midcourt holding another national trophy.

"It's very special," said junior guard Merrill Brunson, the tournament MVP. "Losing the great players we did from last year's (30-0) team and losing the players to injury, we had to pick each other up."

Junior center Mike Jones agreed, saying "People looked at us a good team, but we developed new players. We had good players who picked each other up."

Jones joined Brunson on the all-tournament team after his 21-point, 16-rebound and 7-assist performance in the championship game.

His biggest points came with 18 seconds remaining in the first overtime, when he stepped out and hit a three-point shot to tie the score at 66-66. Even though he only had two three-point baskets all year long, Jones had no hesitation in putting up the biggest shot of his career.

"I thought I was open and got the look and was able to knock it down," he said.

Hampden-Sydney Coach Tony Shaver was impressed.

"He stuck a great shot," he said, "one of the best I've seen in a long time."

The Pioneers hit five of six shots in the second overtime. Aaron Olson started the 46th minute with a jumper in the lane, and Brunson scored two baskets in a 30-second span for a 72-68 lead.

Hampden-Sydney (29-3) came back to take the lead at 73-72 before Gassner went in for a clutch layup with 1:19 to play. The Tigers' Jeremy Harris made his own layup with 48 seconds left, setting the stage for Gassner's final basket and the dramatic ending, which was punctuated by fireworks and confetti inside the Civic Center.

Both teams combined to provide their own fireworks during the contest, as neither team had more than a seven-point lead and were tied 13 times.

"I have to give them all the credit in the world," Ryan said. "That was the best team we have ever beaten in the tournament. I thought both teams played extremely hard and played with a lot of class."

Besides Jones' 21 points, Brunson had 20 points and Gassner 12.

The Pioneers advanced to the championship game in a different fashion, with a 77-51 victory over William Paterson Friday.

Dan Wargolet scored the Pioneers' first 11 points, 9 of them on three-point baskets to pull Paterson out of its zone.

"Probably in the back of our minds, we were thinking of the Williams game last year, where we started slow," Wargolet said. "Those shots weren't created by myself. I think Blake had all the assists on them."

Knutson had a game-high 7 assists. UWP had 17 assists to Paterson's 7.

The Pioneers' patent passing game helped open the floor for some open shots. Brunson tied a Final Four record by knocking down 6 of 7 three-point shots and finished with 25 points. Wargolet added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Platteville, who led 38-23 at the half, expanded the margin to as many as 31 (68-37) by hitting 62 percent of its three-point shots and 53 percent overall.

"That's the goal of our offensive execution, to get the past shot," Ryan said. "If it takes seve, eight or nine shots, we'll do it."

Paterson Coach Jose Rebimbas marveled at the Pioneers' play.

"They shot the ball extemely well, and did all the little things it takes to win games," he said. "I guess that's why theyre the winningest team of the 1990s. They put on a clinic tonight."

The Pioneers have put together a 266-27 record this decade, easily the best in college basketball. UW-Platteville has made nine straight NCAA tournament appearances with five trips to the Final Four and four national championships.

Pioneers beat Gusties in sectional final

FRANKLIN, IND: -- The winningest collegiate men's basketball program during the 1990s will appropriately enough end the decade by returning to the NCAA Division III Final Four.

UW-Platteville beat Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) 61-47 Saturday in the Midwest/West Sectional championship Saturday in Franklin, Ind. to advance to the Final Four next Friday and Saturday in Salem, Va.

The Pioneers, who have a collegiate-best 264-27 record during the 1990s, are making their fifth trip to the Final Four. UWP won national titles in 1991, 1995 and 1998 and finished third in 1992.

Platteville (28-2) scored the game's first nine points and built an early 21-8 lead in leading the contest from start to finish.

"They had a one-point game Friday night (66-65 over host Franklin), and we wanted to take the wind out of their sails early," center Mike Jones said.

The Golden Gusties (24-6) battled back to within 39-35, but Jones hit one of two free throws after being fouled, and Merrill Brunson knocked down both after Gustavus was whistled for a technical.

The Minnesota school also whittled the lead down to 49-43, but Colin Gassner nailed a three-point basket, then also hit Brunson on a back-door pass for a 54-43 lead.

"Every time they tried to make a run, we answered them," Jones said.

"The nice thing is we don't know who it will be to hit the shot, so that means the other team doesn't either," Brunson added. "Someone always steps up."

Brunson led the Pioneer attack with 19 points, while Jones added 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Luke Schmidt, who scored 30 points against Platteville in the Pioneers' 78-71 win in the sectional championship last year, was held to 14 points on 7 of 17 shooting.

"Luke's a great player," said Jones, who spent much of the time battling the 6-7 center. "He can stroke it from the outside, and he can pass it so well. What we tried to do was limit his touches."

The defensive effort was vintage Platteville. The Gusties connected on just 18 of 48 shots, making nine field goals each half.

"I thought that was one of our best defensive efforts against a very good offensive team," Coach Bo Ryan said. "Gustavus Adolphus doesn't impress you with how many points they average, but what they do so well is score on their possessions. We made them work very hard."

The reward for the hard work is a return trip to Salem, Va. The Pioneers will play William Paterson. Undefeated Connecticut College will play Hampden-Sydney in the other semifinal.

The Pioneers were undefeated themselves last year, but lost four seniors from that team. During the year, they also lost three starters at one time or another.

"This group has accomplished more over the course of the year as fas as getting better, perserving, handling things that have been thrown at them better than any team we've had," Ryan said. "I just hope we have a week left. I think we do."

Pioneers beat Manchester in semifinals

The Pioneers used repeated back-door cuts to key a 17-4 run to end the first half and propel them past Manchester 74-65 in the Midwest Sectional in Franklin, Ind. Friday.

The Pioneers broke open a 20-20 game with the 17-4 run to end the first half. Colin Gassner shook free and scored on two wide-open layups, and after the Spartans compacted their defense, the Pioneers knocked down four three-point baskets in the final 3:47 of the half. Dan Warglolet made one of the three-point shots, and after a Brian Murphy steal on the in-bounds pass, Merrill Brunson drilled another three just nine seconds later. Platteville took a 37-24 lead into the locker room, and the Spartans (24-5) were never able to cut the lead to under seven points in the second half.

"We were opportunistic," Pioneer Coach Bo Ryan said. "We've had a couple of runs like that this year where we score 10 points or so in a short amount of time by forcing turnovers and knocking down the shots. I thought we took some of the three-point shots a little quick, but in the emotion of that game, and the fact we were getting open looks, we gave our players a little more freedom."

Even when the Pioneers didn't hit the shot during that span, things worked out well for them. When Gassner missed a free throw, the Pioneers rebounded the ball and got it backed to a wide-open Brunson, who calmly nailed the three-pointer.

"It got away from us in that two- and three-minute span where we frankly lost our poise," Manchester Coach Jamie Matthews said. "They got a couple of layups and a couple of threes. If you take away those few minutes, well, you can see what kind of game that would be."

Brunson led the Pioneers with 21 points, including two key baskets when the Spartans cut the lead to seven at 55-48 and 59-52. Platteville then secured the win by hitting 17 of 19 free throws in the second half.

"They kept battling, but we hung in there," Ryan said. "Here we are in the elite eight again, and we are still trying to get better. That's why I like this team."

Gassner finished with a career high 20 points, hitting all eight of his shots from the field.

"A couple of times Colin was waiving his arms, like 'hey I'm open,' "Wargolet said. "You get used to playing the same conference teams all the time, and don't realize that it may be open. Tonight, it was open and worked great."

Gassner and Wargolet both have battled back from ankle injuries. Wargolet, who injured his ankle on Feb. 20 and missed most of the last four games, scored 10 points.

"It felt amazingly good," he said. "I felt like I was finally contributing something positive."

Antwann Jones led the Spartans with 28 points, hitting 11 of 18 shots from the field. Marc Patterson added 14 points.

"Antwann Jones is as good as anybody we've faced in my 15 years, and we've seen a lot of good ones," Ryan said. "That's a good team we beat."

Pioneers to face Manchester Friday

UW-Platteville will face Manchester (Ind.) in the first game of the Midwest/West Sectional of the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament Friday at 6 p.m. EST (5 p.m. CST) in Franklin, Ind.

The host Grizzlies (23-5) will play Gustavus Adolphus (23-5) in the second semifinal. The winners will play Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST/6:30 CST for the sectional championship and a berth in the NCAA III Final Four, set for March 20-21 in Salem, Va.

The UW-Platteville vs. Manchester game is a rematch of the 1995 national title game, which the Pioneers won in a battle of unbeaten teams, 69-55.

This year, the Pioneers take a 26-2 record into the sectionals. The defending national champions are coming off an 85-53 win over Augsburg College Saturday at Williams Fieldhouse in the second round. Manchester is 24-4 after beating Wheaton (Ill.) 62-60 Saturday.

The teams have one common opponent. UW-Platteville beat UW-Oshkosh twice, winning 79-75 in overtime in Oshkosh and 74-64 in Platteville. Manchester beat the Titans 61-52 in a Las Vegas tournament.

Pioneers whip Auggies to advance to sectionals

UW-Platteville held Augsburg to 33 points below its scoring average and whipped the Auggies 85-53 in a NCAA Division III second-round game at Williams Fieldhouse.

The defending national champion Pioneers (26-2) advance to the Midwest/West Sectional against Manchester (24-4) next Friday. Manchester defeated Wheaton 62-60. The game will probably be played at Franklin, Ind, the Midwest's top seed who defeated Ripon 81-73. Franklin will play Gustavus Adolphus in Friday's other semifinal. The winners meet Saturday in Franklin, and that victor will move on to the Final Four in Salem, Va.

The Pioneers outscored the Auggies 30-6 to begin the second half, holding them to two field goals over the first 13:41 over the second period. The Pioneers also out-rebounded the Auggies 43-28, limiting the visitors to 9 offensive boards.

"It was one of the most frustrating things I had to endure in the last two years," admitted Augsburg Coach Brian Amman, who led his team to a 24-4 record this season.

Merrill Brunson scored 26 points, including his 1,000th career point early in the second half. Aaron Olson added 14 points, including 12 in the first half to spark Platteville to a 42-33 lead. Blake Knutson added 12 and Mike Jones recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"I thought for the most part, we executed pretty well on offense," Brunson said.

Wargolet, making his first start since Feb. 17 because of a knee injury, credited the defense.

"Our press really hurt them," he said. "That's the most turnovers we've forced off of it."

The Pioneers won the tough Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 15-1 record, then captured the inaugural WIAC post-season tournament. That competition helped the Pioneers, Olson said.

"You have to give the other WIAC schools a lot of credit," he said. Devean George closed his fabulous Augsburg career with 24 points tonight, giving him career totals of 2,258 points and 868 rebounds. No other Augsburg player was in double figures, as his teammates combined to hit only 10 of 34 from the field.

"We matched their intensity tonight and made George work for his shots," Brian Murphy said.

"We knew he could get his points," Knutson said. "We just had to play good team defense."

"Physically, they were stronger than we were, but we didn't adjust to it," said Amman, whose school career scoring record will still stand. George missed it by 13 points.

"I can't say enough about Devean," the coach said. "I've said it before a thousand times. I'll never coach another player like him. He's been Mr. Augsburg for the last three years."

Pioneers, Auggies play at 7 Saturday

UW-Platteville will face Augsburg College of Minneapolis Saturday in the second round of the NCAA III men's basketball playoffs.

Tip-off time Saturday at Williams Fieldhouse is 7 p.m., not 7:30 as reported by the Associated Press.

The defending national champion Pioneers received a first-round bye, based on their 25-2 record and their number one ranking in the West Region. Augsburg advanced to the second round with a 102-91 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan Thursday.

Tickets are on sale from 4-6 p.m. Friday and again Saturday from 4 p.m. until gametime. Call 608 342-1567 for ticket availability.

Pioneers earn 9th straight NCAA bid

UW-Platteville earned its ninth straight invitation to the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament, extending the longest streak in the nation.

The defending national champions, who also won titles in 1991 and 1995, will receive a first-round bye. The Pioneers will play Saturday, March 6, in Williams Fieldhouse against the winner of Thursday's first-round match-up between host Augsburg (23-3) and Nebraska Wesleyan (19-6). Saturday's game time will either be at 7 or 7:30 p.m.

UW-Platteville, 25-2 overall, won its fifth straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title with a 15-1 record, then received the league's automatic berth by capturing the first-ever WIAC post-season tournament. The Pioneers beat UW-Stout 90-88 in overtime Saturday.

"To go 25-2 with a team hit hard by graduation (losing four seniors from last year's 30-0 team) and hit hard by injuries is quite an accomplishment," Head Coach Bo Ryan said. "We survived with the smallest scoring margin (13.9 ppg) that we've had in the last dozen years or so. We've had a lot of close games this year, but I hope that it makes us that much stronger in the tournament."

UW-Platteville is the only school to earn NCAA tournament invitations every season this decade. The Pioneers have the best record in all of college basketball, regardless of division, in the 1990s at 261-27.

"What this group has accomplished has been created by past players, and it has been passed down like family," Ryan said. "That family is very strong."