PREGAME WARMUP: The 2022 postseason begins for Ashland University's men's basketball team. Following an 18-9 regular season, the Eagles are the No. 3 seed in the 2022 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament, and will play host to a first-round tourney game on Tuesday (March 1) at 7 p.m. against Cedarville at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium.
A victory over the Yellow Jackets would put the Eagles in the Great Midwest Tournament Final Four on Friday and Saturday (March 4-5) at Walsh. Ashland would play Hillsdale in a semifinal on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The championship game is slated for Saturday at 2 p.m.
Ashland and Cedarville split the regular-season series, with both teams winning the home game - Cedarville 74-71 on Dec. 4, and Ashland 77-60 on Jan. 22. In the all-time series, the Eagles have the lead, 37-10.
Junior guard
Brandon Haraway is repeating his efforts of a season ago down the stretch, as, in the last eight games, he is averaging 24.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and making 58.2 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and 70.5 percent from the free-throw line. Last season, in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Tournaments combined, Haraway went for 22.0 points per contest.
Looking ahead to the NCAA Division II postseason, Ashland has been slotted at No. 7 in both of the first two Midwest Regional rankings. The third set of rankings will be released on March 2, and the selection show for the 2022 NCAA Division II tournament will be on March 6 at 10:30 p.m.
EAGLES COMING OFF HISTORIC WIN AT OILERS: In the next-to-last regular-season game, Ashland outscored Findlay 52-22 in the second half to win at the Oilers for the first time in two decades.
"The end of our schedule was really difficult, playing five really good teams," said Ashland head coach
John Ellenwood. "We went 3-2 in stretch. Our guys battled very hard. That Findlay win is a significant one, just because of the last time we won there and how good of an opponent they are."
FIRST YEAR IN GREAT MIDWEST CHALLENGED AU: The six teams that will play in the Great Midwest Tournament were decided a few weeks ago. All six finished with league marks of .600 or better.
"This league was very good this year," Ellenwood said.
HARAWAY IMPROVING ON LAST YEAR'S STRONG END: Down the 2020-21 stretch, Haraway was one of the top players in the Midwest Region. If it's possible, he's playing even better than that the last eight games.
"It's tough to say that, because he was so good last year," said Ellenwood. "He's playing at a really high level right now. His IQ is off the charts. His competitiveness is something you want this time of year."
THOMPSON TO PLAY IN APRIL ALL-STAR GAME: On Monday (Feb. 28) morning, The College Basketball All-Star Game & Celebrity Extravaganza announced that senior forward
Aaron Thompson has committed to play on the Ohio All-Star Team.
The Ohio All-Stars will play dynamic players from HBCU colleges across the United States in the All-Star Game.
The College Basketball All-Star Game & Celebrity Extravaganza will take place on April 20-24. This is a five-day celebration of educational, multicultural and entertainment festivities that complement the college all-star game and a celebrity game featuring nationally-renowned entertainers and local personalities.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.classicforcolumbus.com.
The all-star game will be played on April 23 at 8 p.m. at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. There will be a full slate of educational, fashion and entertainment festivities, for all ages, at Nationwide Arena preceding basketball.
EYE ON THE YELLOW JACKETS: Cedarville lost its regular-season finale at Walsh, 72-60, after winning the previous four contests.
Five Yellow Jackets make up the majority of the team's offense - senior guards Branden Maughmer (16.1 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 3.4 apg., 84.7 FT%) and Quinton Green (13.5 ppg.), senior forward Isaiah Speelman (10.5 ppg., 40.9 3FG%, 80.6 FT%), sophomore forward Jayvon Maughmer (10.4 ppg., 50.4 FG%, 48.4 3FG%, 76.5 FT%), and senior forward Conner TenHove (10.3 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 78.1 FT%).
