Men's Basketball Recap
The 2008-09 season started with great expectations for the Rams, ranked 18th and 25th respectively in the Basketball Times Preseason Poll and the Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25, respectively. Even after dropping out of the national rankings, the Rams remained dominant in the CACC, compiling a 14-2 record and claiming the #1 seed in the South division. The Rams came into the CACC tournament on a six game winning streak and kept the streak alive as they captured the CACC Championship and a berth into the NCAA DII East Regional. The season ended in the first round of the East Regional, where the Rams lost 73-51 to #2 nationally ranked C.W. Post University. The following are the highlights of key contributors to the successful Rams season:
Three PhilaU athletes were named to the CACC All-Tournament Team: junior center Mike Yocum, junior forward Malcolm Ingram and junior guard Russell Frederick. Frederick was also named CACC Tournament MVP. Four members of the team were also honored as they were named to the CACC All-Conference team. Russell Frederick and Malcolm Ingram garnered 1st team accolades, Mike Yocum was named to the 2nd team and senior guard Mike Dunn was named to the Honorable Mention list.
Leading the way for the Rams offensively were Russell Frederick and Malcolm Ingram. Frederick led the team in scoring with 16.3 points and Ingram followed suit with 15.6 points. The boards were guarded by Mike Yocum with 8.8 rpg and Malcolm Ingram with 8.4 rpg. Four Rams totalled double-digit scoring and the team's scoring defense was ranked near the top nationally.
The team will return four of five starters for the 2009-10 season, so look for the Rams to defend their CACC title and go for a third straight conference championship and a fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth.
