March has arrived, and the regular season is over.
It's time to get mad.
The Hillsdale College men's basketball team begins its tourney run on Friday, with both high stakes and high drama in the cards as the Chargers look to secure their first-ever G-MAC Tournament Championship.
That goal is tantalizingly close, as Hillsdale sits just two wins away from the prize. But the Chargers will have tough competition from its conference rivals, including host Walsh, who's gunning for the top seed in the upcoming NCAA Midwest Regional, and upset-minded Findlay and Cedarville squads who are both looking to punch their tickets to the Big Dance this weekend.
Speaking of NCAA Tourney hopes, those are also on the line for Hillsdale this weekend. A strong resume has Hillsdale in fourth in the Midwest Region in the final NCAA DII Regional Rankings released today, and in good position to earn a bid no matter what happens. But a win on Friday would all but eliminate any of the scenarios where they would fall out of the field, and by taking the championship on Saturday, the Chargers would not only earn a guaranteed ticket, but also give themselves a shot at potentially hosting the Midwest Regional as well if results in the GLIAC and GLVC tournaments fell their way.
You can follow along with the G-MAC semis and finals at the links below, with streaming video and live stats for both of Hillsdale's potential games this weekend. If you'd like to make the drive down to Canton to support the Chargers in person, there's also a link where you can buy tickets. Also, if you are in the Hillsdale area this weekend, 99.5 FM The Dale will be broadcasting both the semifinal on Friday night, and, if the Chargers win, the final on Saturday as well.
Schedule
Semifinal 1: #1 Walsh (21-6, 16-4 G-MAC) vs #5 Findlay (19-9, 12-7 G-MAC) | 5 p.m. Friday, March 5 | Cecchini Center | North Canton, OH
Semifinal 2: #2 Hillsdale (20-6, 15-5 G-MAC) vs #6 Cedarville (18-11, 12-8 G-MAC) | 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 5 | Cecchini Center | North Canton, OH
Final: Semifinal #1 winner vs Semifinal #2 winner | 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6 | Cecchini Center | North Canton, OH
Follow/Watch
Streaming Video | Live Stats | Tickets
Additional Info
Hillsdale Roster | Cedarville Roster | Walsh Roster | Findlay Roster | 2021-22 Hillsdale Stats | 2021-22 Cedarville Stats | 2021-22 Walsh Stats | 2021-22 Findlay Stats
Projected Starters
Hillsdale: #15 Patrick Cartier, So., F, Brookfield, WI/East (22 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.5 apg); #24 Austen Yarian, Sr., F, Cleveland, OH/St. Ignatius (10.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.9 apg); #3 Jack Gohlke, Jr., G, Pewaukee, WI/Pewaukee (8.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg); #2 Kyle Goessler, Jr., F, Brunswick, OH/Brunswick (9.4 ppg, 3 apg); #5 Cole Nau, Jr., G, Brookfield, WI/Central (4.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 apg)
Walsh: #1 Tim Smith Jr., So., F, Cleveland, OH/Lakewood (10.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg); #2 Milan Square, rFr., G/F, Youngstown, OH/Valley Christian (7.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg); #3 Darryl Straughter, Sr., G, Canton, OH/McKinley (15.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 apg); #12 Caleb Canter, Sr., F, Cincinnati, OH/Moeller (11.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg); #21 Garrison Keeslar, Fr., G/F, Green, OH/Green (14.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.6 spg)
Findlay: #2 Anthony Masterlasco, Sr., F, Findlay, OH/Liberty Benton (11.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1 spg); #3 Tre'Maine Gray, Sr., G, Akron, OH/Firestone/Sinclair CC (12.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.3 spg); #5 Nathan Bruns, Jr. F, Chickasaw, OH/Marion Local (14.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg); #14 Joey Edmonds, Jr., G, Cincinnati, OH/Wyoming (10.6 ppg, 3.3 apg, 1 spg); #24 Brady Wildermuth, Sr., F, Jackson Center, OH/Jackson Center (8.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
Cedarville: #2 Branden Maughmer, Sr., G, Chillicothe, OH/Chillicothe (16.1 ppg, 6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.2 spg); #10 Kollin Van Horn, Sr., C, Proctorville, OH/Fairland (7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg); #32 Jayvon Maughmer, So., F, Chillicothe, OH/Chillicothe (10.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1 spg); #35 Conner TenHove, Sr., F, Valparaiso, IN/Valparaiso (10.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg); #55 Quinton Green, Sr., G, Columbus, OH/Homeschool (13.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.2 spg)
Scouting the Contenders
#1 Walsh: The Cavaliers bounced back in a big way from a relative down year in 2020-21, claiming the 2021-22 G-MAC title outright with a 16-4 conference record and earning the right to host the G-MAC Tourney.
The Cavaliers run through senior guard Darryl Straughter, a two-time first-team All-G-MAC player, but made the leap they did this season thanks to significant improvements from returnees Caleb Canter and Garrison Keeslar. Keeslar in particular has grown into an All-Conference caliber player in his second season, playing at a high level at both ends of the court.
Walsh also was active in the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in California (PA) transfer Tim Smith and West Liberty transfer Owen Hazelbaker. Both players have been a key part of the rotation so far and made an impact in the post, an area where the Cavaliers struggled to get consistent play in 2020-21.
The Cavaliers have the best point differential of any team in the G-MAC this season at +10.3, and are the only team with both an above-average offense and defense, ranking third in scoring (77.9) and in points conceded (67.7).
Walsh has been successful historically in the G-MAC Tournament, winning two straight in 2018-19 and 2019-20. The Cavaliers have qualified for all five G-MAC Tournaments since joining the conference in 2017-18.
Leading the Cavaliers for the 18th consecutive season is Jeff Young, the all-time winningest coach in Walsh history who surpassed the 400-win mark for his career earlier this season. Since joining the G-MAC in 2017, Young has led Walsh to four straight winning seasons and the only two NCAA Tournament berths in program history.
#2 Hillsdale: Hillsdale enters the tournament on a tear, winning five straight games, including a season-finale victory at third-place Ashland, to secure the two seed and a bye to the semifinals.
The Chargers won 20 games for the second consecutive season, just the fifth time in school history, and are looking to win only their second-ever conference tournament title and secure an NCAA tournament bid for just the seventh time in program history.
Three 2020-21 starters returned for the Chargers, led by 2020-21 G-MAC Male Athlete of the Year and consensus All-American Patrick Cartier, who once again leads the conference in scoring and field goal percentage. A high-volume scorer whose efficient offense consistently draws double-teams in the paint, Cartier has the perfect running mate in fellow first team All-G-MAC forward Austen Yarian, whose versatility and outside shooting touch causes significant matchup issues of his own for opposing defenses. Also back is forward Tavon Brown, whose defense, rebounding and energy were critical to the team's success last season.
Three top subs from 2020-21, juniors Cole Nau, Kyle Goessler and Jack Gohlke, have moved into the starting lineup to help fill the void left by the departures of second-team All-G-MAC honorees Connor Hill and Davis Larson, while sophomore Noah Applegate and freshman Joe Reuter, among others, have taken on expanded roles off the bench.
The Chargers have been dominant defensively so far, giving up 64.7 points per game, second lowest in the G-MAC and 22nd in the nation in Division II. Continuing to play tough defense and improving offensively will be key to Hillsdale's hopes of bringing home a title this weekend.
While Hillsdale has consistently made the G-MAC tournament, earning a bid every year since joining the conference in 2017-18, the Chargers have made just one G-MAC title game, also in 2017-18, and are looking to break through this year in their fifth appearance. Hillsdale's last conference tourney title came in 1994-95 as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Directing the Chargers for the 15th straight season is head coach John Tharp, who is the all-time winningest coach in program history with a 271-142 record. Returning as assistants on Hillsdale's bench this year are associate head coach Keven Bradley, assistant coach Eric Weiss, and assistant coach David Choi.
#5 Findlay: The Oilers have had an up-and-down season with a few head-scratching losses, but have a sweep of Hillsdale to their names and an opportunity to lock up an NCAA Tourney bid this weekend after beating Malone 74-66 in a G-MAC Quarterfinal on Tuesday.
Findlay has one of the best starting lineups in the conference, headlined by returning first-team All-G-MAC power forward Nathan Bruns. Anthony Masterlasco, Tre'Maine Gray and Joey Edmonds are all double-figure scorers with significant game experience.
The return of top sub Ethan Linder has been a real catalyst in recent weeks, helping bolster the team's depth and stretch out what had been a thin rotation when he was gone.
Findlay is one of the top offensive teams in the G-MAC, averaging 76.8 points per game, and just good enough defensively (71.5 points per game) to make that a decisive advantage in many contests. In order to make the final, the Oilers will have to find a way to get past a Walsh team that's beaten them twice this season, albeit by narrow margins in both cases.
Like Hillsdale, the Oilers are tournament regulars, appearing in all five seasons since joining the G-MAC in 2017-18, but have never won the tourney, with just one tournament final appearance in 2018-19.
Findlay's head coach is Charlie Ernst, who's built an outstanding resume in 11 years at the helm. Ernst had a 226-70 record with the Oilers entering this season, and he's led Findlay to three G-MAC titles, four GLIAC South titles, three GLIAC Tournament titles, six NCAA Division II national tournament appearances, and two appearances in the NCAA Sweet 16.
#6 Cedarville: The Yellowjackets entered the week as the lowest seed in the G-MAC Tourney and on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, but an emphatic upset win over Ashland on the road in Tuesday's G-MAC Quarterfinal round has Cedarville on the verge of playing itself into the NCAA tourney picture – or even more.
Nearly every player of consequence returns for a squad that reached the G-MAC Tournament title game last season, led by 2020-21 first team All-G-MAC honoree Branden Maughmer and second-team members Quinton Green and Kollin Van Horn. Isaiah Speelman has given the Yellowjackets additional scoring punch since being inserted into the starting lineup midseason as well.
If Cedarville has a weakness, it's defense – the Yellowjackets are in the bottom half of the league in scoring defense, though they've made a significant improvement in the final quarter of the season to get to seventh (71.9). But Cedarville has been able to simply outscore many opponents this season, averaging 76.3 points per game, fifth-best in the G-MAC. They'll face a stiff test on Saturday in a Hillsdale team that held the Yellowjackets to 57 points in a one-point home loss to the Chargers in December, and also dominated Cedarville at the defensive end in the rematch on Jan. 29.
A founding member of the G-MAC, Cedarville has made every tournament but one since the start of the conference in 2012, but is looking for its first title since winning the crown in the initial year of 2012-13.
Cedarville is coached by Patrick Estepp, who is entering his 13th season leading the Yellow Jackets in 2021-22. He's guided Cedarville to six 20-win seasons, a G-MAC championship in 2013, and perennial success in the National Christian College Athletic Association Tournament, including national titles in 2012 and 2019.
Other Notes
- Hillsdale has never lost to Cedarville in 11 meetings dating back to 2013, but there have been several close calls for the Chargers, including a one-point victory at Cedarville on Dec. 11 of this season, and a two-overtime thriller at Cedarville in the previous year. The Chargers are also 10-9 all-time against Walsh, having split their meetings with the Cavaliers this season, and trail a long series with Findlay 56-12 after the Oilers won both meetings this year.
- The Chargers are 4-4 all-time in four appearances in G-MAC Tournament play. During its time in the GLIAC, Hillsdale went 7-15 in conference tournaments as well, and won its only conference tournament title in 1995, beating Ferris State 87-85 and Oakland 89-80 to clinch a surprise conference crown.
- The 2020-21 G-MAC Male Athlete of the Year, Patrick Cartier, continues to excel on the court in his junior season. Cartier was recently named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List top 50, and also received CoSIDA Academic All-District honors for the second straight season. He's currently first in the G-MAC and 12th in the nation at the DII level in points per game with 22. His 65% field goal percentage is 7th in DII, and he is Hillsdale's career leader in the stat by over three full percentage points. On Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, the junior also became the 39th player in Hillsdale College men's basketball history to surpass 1,000 points for his career with 30 points in an 83-61 win over Northwood. He's currently 12th all-time in Hillsdale history with 1,515 points, needing just seven this weekend to break into the top 10 all-time, and eighth all-time in made field goals (589).
- Senior Austen Yarian joined Cartier on the list of Charger players to surpass 1,000 points for his career, becoming the 40th with 11 points against Northwood on Dec. 20. The 2020-21 first-team All-G-MAC player now has 1,154 for his career, good for 29th all-time and, with 751 rebounds, is also eighth in Charger basketball history. Yarian is a versatile player who leads the Chargers this season in rebounds per game (7.5), assists per game (3.9) and blocks per game (0.7), also ranking in the top 10 in the G-MAC in all three categories.
- Charger freshman Joe Reuter has carved out an early role off the bench for Hillsdale in his first season on campus, and had a huge game on Saturday, Jan. 8 against Malone, scoring 21 points on 10 of 12 shooting. It's the first time a true freshman has led the Chargers in scoring since teammate Austen Yarian scored 19 points in a 77-61 win over Trevecca Nazarene on Jan. 27, 2018 and the most points by a true freshman since Andrew Taylor scored 24 in a 75-71 loss to Ashland on Feb. 1, 2007. Reuter enters this weekend having scored in double figures in nine of his last 11 contests, including 17 in a home win over Trevecca Nazarene on Jan. 20, and 20 on the road in a win over Lake Erie on Feb. 15.
- In nine starts since moving into the lineup on Jan. 15, junior Jack Gohlke has hit double figures seven times, including two 25-point performances. Twice Gohlke has hit seven 3-pointers in a game in that stretch, the most by a Charger in a single game since Stedman Lowry hit seven 3-pointers in an 82-72 road win over Cedarville on Jan. 20, 2018. The junior is currently third in the G-MAC in 3-point percentage with 41.2 percent shooting beyond the arc.
- Hillsdale's team identity under John Tharp is well-known, and it starts with defense – the Chargers are second in the G-MAC in scoring defense and are 22nd in the nation in DII at 64.7 points per game. Unselfishness and taking care of the ball are also core tenets of the Hillsdale style of play, and the Chargers also lead the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.70) and in assists per game (18.3). Hillsdale's assist-to-turnover ratio is second best of any team in Division II, and its 18.3 assists per game is seventh among all teams in the country at the DII level.
- The Chargers are impressively efficient at both ends of the floor – they rank second in the G-MAC in team shooting percentage (48.5%) and top of the league in opponent field goal percentage (41.2%). Hillsdale is also third in the G-MAC in blocks per game (2.81), a reflection of the size of Hillsdale's front-line, and also its athleticism.
- Hillsdale is one of the cleanest teams in the nation in terms of fouls and miscues – its 327 fouls in 26 games are the fifth fewest at the NCAA DII level, and third among teams with more than 10 games on the year. The Chargers also have the second-fewest personal fouls per game in DII, at just 12.6, and Hillsdale also is tied for 21st for fewest turnovers, with 279 on the year.