This Week in VMI Athletics - March 3

Well, basketball season ended for the Keydets last night. Down 24 to top-seeded Coastal Carolina, VMI clawed back within seven before eventually losing, 82-73 to the Chanticleers down in Conway. It was a spirited comeback, but Coastal is not a fluke, by any usage of the term. They have talent inside and out, and when they can run out to a lead shooting the ball like they did, they could beat anyone.

Before the game, three Keydets were named to Big South Postseason squads, including Stan Okoye and Austin Kenon. You can read all about those honors here.

Speaking also of basketball, the second Keydet to ever make the NBA debuted last night, as Reggie Williams '08 got on the floor for the Golden State Warriors. He had 10 points in 20 minutes of play, and clearly impressed GS coach Don Nelson. Reggie's back in action tonight against Vince Carter and the Orlando Magic in a game that will be available on NBA TV.

Baseball is off to the best start in program history, as that squad has begun its season 7-0, including yesterday's 11-inning win at Maryland. Freshman John Garrett earned the win in relief, as he retired all six hitters he faced. In a strange stat, the Keydets' seven different wins have come from seven different pitchers. VMI returns to the diamond Friday, taking on Maryland Eastern Shore.

Lacrosse is also on a roll, fresh off a 14-7 win over Presbyterian yesterday in Clinton, S.C. Tim Moran had four goals, Kelly McMinn (the MAAC Rookie of the Week) had 10 saves and VMI was able to play its bench in the second half after pouring on the goals early (en route to a 9-1 advantage). The Keydets are 2-2 for the first time since '05, and will host the highest scoring team in Division I on Saturday, as Robert Morris comes to town for a 1 p.m. start at Foster Stadium.

Wrestling is getting ready for the SoCon Championships this weekend...We'll have a preview up in a day or two, but for now, check out this feature story on Josh Wine.

Track will go to the IC4A/ECAC Championships this coming weekend, fresh off a solid outing at the conference championships. The men were third, led by Dada Titcombe's 24 points (including the longest indoor long jump in the Big South since '05), while the women scored the most points they ever had at a conference meet (52), won multiple events for the first time (Granger (5K) and Collins (pole vault) and finished in a tie for sixth. That's a team on the rise.

That'll do it for this week...It's a busy week coming up, so make sure to check in on VMIKeydets.com throughout the next seven days, and follow Reggie Williams on the various media outlets.