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Eight reasons
'Hawks are 2 games away from Final Four
Friday, March 12, 2010
 Click here to enlarge this photo Photo by BILL WOOD
St. Mary's head coach Chris Harney's team plays in the Sweet 16 at 8 tonight against Franklin & Marshall.
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Motivational factor No. 1 is the fact that the Diplomats delivered the Seahawks (26-3 overall) one of their three losses this season, that a 72-61 affair on Nov. 30, in the Seahawks' fourth game of the season. In that contest Seahawks senior Camontae Griffin scored 31 points as no other player scored in double figures.
"The first time we played them, they got up with an early lead," Griffin said. "But, when we came back, we thought that we could play with them. Going into this game, that's how we are going into it, with the attitude that we can play with these guys."
Having a more balanced team attack will serve as motivational factor No. 2 for the Seahawks.
In the NCAA opening round contest last Friday, the Seahawks had four players score in double digits in an 88-59 win over Purchase State (N.Y.), and five different players scored in double figures in a 72-69 win over Virginia Wesleyan the night after in advancing to the Sweet-16 round.
Motivational factors No. 3 and No. 4: The Seahawks shot only 30 percent from the field in the last contest against the Diplomats, but on the year have shot at a 47 percent clip in getting to this point of the season.
Motivational factor No. 5: Junior starting point guard Alex Franz has had at least five assists in 22 games for the Seahawks, 21 of which resulted in a win. If Franz can score his normal 13 points per game, and get his at least five assists, that ultimately equals team balance and a well-balanced attack.
"We are two-sixths of the way there," Franz said. "I have been here before, and it feels good, but I want to keep going."
Motivational factor No. 6 for the Seahawks is without a doubt its student section, the sixth man. The Seahawks are 12-0 at home this season with the full support of its fans and student section. St. Mary's, with head coach Chris Harney, was awarded hosting rights for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds and will compete in its rematch at 8 tonight.
St. Mary's has had a successful season and with only three losses on its record, will now host Franklin & Marshall (Pa.) at 8 p.m. Friday in the second game of a Sweet 16 doubleheader, owner of one of the losses. Randolph-Macon (Va.) will play DeSales (Pa.) in the first game at 6 p.m. The two Friday night winners play for a trip to the Final Four at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"The student section was, and is amazing," Harney admitted. "And I mean, the community support is was huge. … It's fun and it's a pretty special feeling the community support, as well."
Motivational factor No. 7 comes from Harney who is looking to reunite with an old friend, of sorts, a local reporter who covered the first contest between the two teams who did not understand what Harney meant when the coach insisted the two would meet again.
Even though the Seahawks were not on the regular season schedule, the two teams are indeed meeting once more.
Motivational factor No. 8 is simple, win. Win and the Seahawks are into the Elite Eight round, advancing further than its current program best of the Sweet 16 round, achieved in 2008.
That alone may be the biggest motivation heading into tonight's contest.
Tonight's game
Who: Franklin & Marshall Diplomats (25-4) vs. St. Mary's College of Maryland Seahawks (26-3)
What: NCAA Division III national tournament sectional semifinal
When: 8, tonight
Where: Michael P. O'Brien Athletics and Recreation Center Arena, St. Mary's College
Why: Sixteen teams remain in the running for an NCAA Division III national championship crown in men's basketball. The Seahawks will face the Diplomats for the second time this season, the first meeting going in favor of the Diplomats. The winner plays the winner of DeSales (Pa.) and Randolph-Macon (Va.), a 6 p.m. game at St. Mary's College, for a trip to the Final Four. The Elite Eight game at St. Mary's begins at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets: $7 for adults; $4 for senior citizens (55 and over), students and children 3-18
