BOSTON – In the midst of its best season in over four decades, the Suffolk men's basketball team secured the second seed in the 2019 GNAC Tournament, the league office announced.
Jeff Juron's Rams put together an 18-7 overall record and a 9-2 league ledger to lock up the second seed. The 18 victories are the most for the blue-and-gold since the 1975-76 season when Suffolk went 19-6. In league action, the Rams had the best campaign winning percentage wise (81.8) since joining the conference ranks in 2000.
The trip to the conference tournament is the 15th overall and seventh straight for Suffolk, while the second seed is the highest place the Rams sit in the bracket since taking the top seed into the 2002 tournament.
The quarterfinals pits Suffolk against seventh seed Saint Joseph's (Conn.). The Blue Jays, in their first varsity campaign and under the leadership of NCAA legendary coach Jim Calhoun, clinched its spot in the league's postseason after going 5-6 in conference contests and 14-11 overall.
Suffolk and USJ met for the first time just five days ago on Valentine's Day when the blue-and-gold held off the Blue Jays to take the first-ever meeting, 79-77, in Boston. The Rams and St. Joseph will meet for the first time in the league's playoffs.
In its 15 conference tournament appearances, Suffolk has advanced to the semifinals four times, including last season, and competed in the championship contest once, when it hoisted the trophy in 2002.
Suffolk's quest for GNAC glory tips off Tuesday, Feb. 19 inside Regan Gymnasium at 7 p.m. against USJ. The four winners from Tuesday night's quarterfinals will advance to the semis, which are set at the highest remaining seeds Thursday, Feb. 21.
2019 GNAC MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Quarterfinals
GAME 1: #8 Lasell at #1 Albertus Magnus – 8:00 PM
GAME 2: #5 Colby Sawyer at #4 Emmanuel – 7:30 PM
GAME 3: #6 Saint Joseph's (Maine) at #3 Johnson & Wales – 7:00 PM
GAME 4: #7 Saint Joseph (Conn.) at #2 Suffolk – 7:00 PM
Thursday, Feb. 21 – Semifinals *
GAME 5: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 1
GAME 6: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 3
Saturday, Feb. 23 – Championship *
GAME 7: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 7
* At highest remaining seeds