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BOSTON, Ma. - For Christopher Newport men's basketball coach
John Krikorian, it was a homecoming of sorts Wednesday night as he and his second-ranked Captains landed at Logan Airport in Boston. CNU will continue its NCAA Tournament quest at Babson College in Babson Park, Massachusetts, in the Sweet 16.
Krikorian's squad, 27-2 and riding a 21-game winning streak, and will face Keene State (N.H.) on Friday in the early game at 5:00 p.m. Third-ranked Babson will go against 15th-ranked Tufts with tipoff time set for 8:00 p.m. at Staake Gymnasium. Krikorian, a native of Auburn, Ma., has led his team to its second-straight Sweet 16 appearance thanks to two victories last weekend to open the 64-team tournament at Swarthmore College outside of Philadelphia, another area Krikorian is very familiar with. The CAC Coach of the Year the last two seasons is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
"It's a great feeling to be in the Boston area to play this weekend," Krikorian said. "it's so special to be one of just 16 teams left, it really doesn't matter where you're playing. The dedication and hard work our guys have put in has put us in this position. I'm especially excited for our team to be able to travel to an area where I still have plenty of family and friends. We certainly know it won't be easy. Keene State will be a tough test for us, they gave us a great battle last year."
Christopher Newport eliminated the Owls of Keene State College last year, 74-62, in the Sweet 16 in a game played at Oswego State (NY). CNU then advanced to beat Wooster to advance to the Final Four. The Owls are 21-9 this season and advanced to the round of 16 with an overtime victory over fifth-ranked Ramapo last Saturday night in New Jersey, 92-91.
The Captains will be attempting to advance to the Elite 8 for just the third time in the 50-year history of the men's basketball program. Christopher Newport last season advanced to the Final Four for the first time in program history, and the Captains are the only team still alive from last year's Final Four field. Amherst, Benedictine, and St. Thomas were all eliminated in the opening round of this year's tourney last Friday night.
CNU has an early afternoon practice Thursday at Babson College as the Captains tune-up for more tournament action. Friday's game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 4:40 p.m.
The Friday winners will advance to meet Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Babson College for the right to advance to the Final Four next weekend in Salem, Va..
