Despite a 19-point effort by Darryl Shazier, the 2nd-seeded Bucknell Bison dropped a 67-64 decision to the 7th-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders. As a young team will do, all the little things went wrong. Poor shooting and a 10 for 17 effort at the line for the Bison. Andrew Beinert banked in a three with 1:57 to go to put Holy Cross up by four and the Bison didn't have an answer.
The Bison have a lot to be proud of and to build upon. With winning 8 out 11 down the stretch and earning the 2nd seed, the Bison are now out of the shadow of Pat Flannery. 2010-11 season will be Dave Paulson's team. The Bucknell faithful will also have everyone returning with the exception of Pat Behan. The senior hampered by a foot injury tonight was held scoreless in his final collegiate game.
It may have been Behan's leadership coming off the bench and saving the season for Bucknell. The Bison finish the season at 14-17.
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell University President Brian C. Mitchell announced this morning that Bison men's basketball head coach Pat Flannery has decided that effective July 1, 2008, he will retire as coach and will assume a new fundraising position within the University's Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Flannery, a graduate of Bucknell, has been the most successful coach in Patriot League history.
"Coach Flannery's decision to retire as head coach is a tremendous loss to our basketball program," President Mitchell said. "At the same time, the national respect he has earned as a coach, as a leader, and as an alumnus of the University will be an extraordinary asset to his alma mater. When I learned of Pat's decision, my thoughts as president immediately turned to the impact he could have as part of this campaign. He has earned national stature as a coach, as a leader, as an alumnus of the University, and as a friend to so many. I therefore was pleased to offer to Pat the opportunity to become a vital member of our fundraising program. To my considerable appreciation, he accepted. I have no doubt he will be a major figure in the largest fundraising effort in the history of Bucknell."
"It has been an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to coach outstanding young scholar-athletes here at my alma mater for 14 years," Flannery said. "I am grateful to my wife and children for the support they have given me throughout this time, and the understanding they have shown for the long hours and extensive travel that being a head coach at this level requires. With them in mind and after much reflection, I have decided it is time to move on to a new phase in my life. I am deeply grateful to President Mitchell and Bucknell for offering me this exciting new opportunity to serve this great institution I love, and look forward to doing what I can to support Bucknell and building on the commitment that I know Bucknellians around our country have for the University as this campaign goes forward."
Pat Flannery won 329 games during is coaching career, 234 of them at Bucknell.
"Coach Flannery has been an important figure in establishing the national reputation of Bison athletics as a leader in the scholar-athlete model," said Director of Athletics and Recreation John Hardt. "Pat has not only experienced tremendous success on the hardwood, he has won the right way, with young men of class and accomplishment. All of us in the athletics department are happy to know that we will still be able to call Pat a Bucknell colleague, and we have no doubt that he will continue to provide significant leadership and service to his alma mater in his new role within the University's fundraising campaign."
Hardt indicated that he had already begun putting together a national search process, and that the University is determined to bring in a new head coach who will continue in the Bison tradition of excellence in the Patriot League and at the national level.
Flannery earned his bachelor's degree in economics and political science in 1980 and his master's degree in college administration in 1983. Both degrees are from Bucknell. He became Bucknell's head basketball coach in 1994. In 2005 and 2006, his teams captured Patriot League championships and went on to win first-round games in the NCAA tournament, the first two tournament wins in Bucknell and Patriot League history. His overall record at Bucknell is 234-178, and his career record is 329-221. His 125 conference wins at Bucknell are a Patriot League record.
On July 1, Flannery will assume his new role as a fundraiser within the University's Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Bucknell recently initiated the largest fundraising campaign in its history, with an initial goal of $400 million.
Photo by Jon Terry for the Daily-Item
Maybe the Bison were able to figure something out. I don't know what figures in the choice of Bucknell road uniforms but maybe they want to consider orange the rest of the way. With Holy Cross getting knocked out last night, Bucknell becomes road warriors the rest of the season.
District IV Hoops
Todd Stanford of the Daily-Item has similar thoughts to what I posted back in February.
Bill "Winks" Carta MCA's #1 Fan
Colin Klebon at the line in OT
Bucknell Basketball
Big game for the Bison (10-14) tonight at home against Holy Cross. For those of you who can't make it out to Sojka Pavillion, the game will be televised on ESPN2.
Shamokin will begin their quest this Saturday night for an elusive district title (Yes, the games have been moved). If you talk to anyone north of the Stonington-Snydertown Road crossroad on Route 61, more than 60% of the people polled in the Daily-Item say Milton will take the title. The main reason is Tony Fannick. The Indians coughed up a big lead late last in last year's final to the Black Panthers. Hopefully, the prep in the Schuylkill League playoffs will season the Indians. But hey, both teams have to get to the final.
With only five losses between them, neither is ranked statewide. When you further look at the poll, there isn't anyone ranked from Districts 2, 4 and 11. Other than Milton and Shamokin, Crestwood (2) is an honorable mention. Is Northeast PA basketball that bad? Ten years ago with the same record, Shamokin and Milton would have been ranked. Valley View made the finals and Allentown Central Catholic was a power. Do some damage in the state playoffs and these districts will get back on the state radar.
Tyler lets a trey fly
Bucknell head coach Pat Flannery will be out of the coaching box tonight and not making the trip to Hamilton, NY. This will be the second straight game missed and Nathan Davis will take the head coaching duties.
In the first game with Colgate, the Bison went out to a 23-0 lead only to survive 65-61.
Two "Psojka Psychoes" extend get well wishes to Bucknell head coach Pat Flannery. Coach Flannery left Wednesday's game in the second half.
