A trip to the national championship will step through Sinclair Community College.
Sinclair hosts the men’s NJCAA Region XII District 7 Tournament from March 6-8 at the Physical Activities Center in Building 8.
Last season, the Pride fell in the conference championship to Columbus State 79-63.
Sinclair Pride coach Jeff Price expects the Pride to put on a good showing in the conference tournament.
“I think we have as good of a chance as anybody,” said Price, who also serves as the assistant athletic director.
When the tournament begins, every team has an equal chance to make a run, according to Price.
“Tournament time means shots get a little tougher, the rim gets a little tighter and everybody steps up their defense,” he said.
Teams above the .500 mark earn an automatic bid to the tournament, while teams under .500 would have to petition its own institution to enter, according to Price.
“If a team is below .500 than there will be some serious consideration to sending,” he said.
Some teams could choose to skip the tournament because of financial worries.
“It’s always a possibility,” said Price about some teams passing on the postseason. “Look at today’s economic environment. Every college is really strapped right now.”
The Lady Pride has flirted with a .500 mark throughout the season. Will they get an opportunity to compete for the conference title?
“There is a conversation about it with us,” said Sinclair athletic director Jack Giambrone. “Both are deserving.”
The women’s district tournament is held in Ancilla, Ind. runs on the same weekend as the men. With the bid for the 2010-2012 Division II Women’s National Championship up for grabs, Giambrone and Price will use the men’s tournament as a springboard in an attempt to lock-up the women’s tournament.
“If we put on a good tournament and have a good showing, I think we can make a run at it,” Price said.
Giambrone said he thinks Sinclair could secure the bid depending on how well the tournament runs.
“We’re taking a look and we are using this model to see how well we can do,” he said.
Price expects around 100-200 college coaches at the tournament looking for their next recruit.
The domino effect of March Madness begins at Sinclair. After the regional tournament, the University of Dayton hosts the play-in game and the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
“We start the whole craziness that every one knows is March Madness,” Price said. “The excitement around here will be huge.”
Lakeland Community College Lakers
(13-14, 6-5 in OCCAC)
The Lakers freshman point guard Nate Barnes is averaging 20.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steal per game. Barnes is also shooting 85 percent from the free-throw line. Defensively, freshman center Klein Harper is averaging 11 rebounds and two blocks per game. On Feb. 7, the Lakers beat the Pride 75-67 at Lakeland.
Columbus State Community College Cougars
(22-2, 9-1)
The Cougars are ranked #1 in the country. Four players have averaged double-digits in scoring in conference play, including guard Greg Rice. Rice is averaging nearly 20 points and five rebounds per game. The Pride lost at home to the Cougars 90-75 on Feb. 4 and 91-66 at Columbus State on Feb. 23.
Cincinnati State Tech and Community College Surge
(14-15, 8-4)
The Surge heads into the tournament having won 70 percent of their conference games. Led by sophomore Marquis Mathis who averages more than 18 points per game, the Surge swept their season series with Sinclair winning the Jan. 29 match 82-77 and the Feb. 18 game 103-100.
Owens Community College Express
(15-14, 8-5)
The Express come to the tournament struggling to keep their overall record at the .500 mark, but half of their victories have come in conference play. Owens split its season series with the Pride, with Sinclair taking the Jan. 24 game 84-79. The Express won the Feb. 21 battle 79-69 behind 6-foot-10 sophomore center Justin Manns’ 17 points and new school record 20 rebounds.