McDaniel hasn?t posted a winning record in 23 years and is predicted to finish eighth out of 10 teams in the Centennial Conference. But regardless of what happens the rest of the season, the Green Terror can boast it is the best Division III men?s college basketball team in the state.
McDaniel edged Frederick County?s Hood College, 85-84, in triple overtime in the finals of the third annual Provident Bank Pride of Maryland Tournament at Johns Hopkins. By winning the event that features eight of the state?s nine Division III schools, McDaniel improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 1986-87 season as it prepares to open its Centennial Conference schedule tonight when it hosts Swarthmore (2-1) at 7 in Westminster.
“I?m just glad to finally have a banner to hang in our gym,” said junior guard Ryan Finch, who scored 20 points, including the game-winning basket against Hood. “This is a great way to start our season, but our real season begins [tonight].”
The Green Terror?s fast start could not come at a more unexpected time, as McDaniel has a first-year coach in former Colgate assistant Kevin Curley. Curley took over the program for the late Bob Flynn, who died 11 months ago during the season.
McDaniel is also dealing with the loss of last year?s leading scorers, guard Ryan Brandenburg and center Josh McKay. Brandenburg, who averaged 14.8 points a game as a sophOmore last year, was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. McKay, a 6-foot-8 senior, likely is out for the year with a knee injury.
