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Judson News
Men's Basketball - Fri, Feb 26, 2010
 

 

ELGIN, Ill. - A trip to the NAIA Division II National Tournament is on the line as the Judson University men's basketball team will play in their fourth CCAC Tournament Championship game in program history on Saturday, February 27th. Judson will travel to Milwaukee, Wisc., to face #1 seed and #9 nationally ranked Cardinal Stritch at 4:00 p.m.

This will mark the third time that Judson has faced Cardinal Stritch in the CCAC Championship game. Judson is 1-1 in the championship vs. the Wolves.

Judson has played in three CCAC Tournament Championship games winning their first-ever CCAC Tournament Championship in 2008. Judson won on their home court over Cardinal Stritch, 97-79, for the championship and their first-ever trip to the NAIA Division II National Tournament.

Prior to that, Judson played in the championship games in 2002 and 2006. In 2002, their first appearance, ever, they fell to Robert Morris, 100-68, and then in 2006 they lost to Cardinal Stritch, 82-70.

Judson has won 19 or more games in each of those seasons. This will be the first time Judson has played for the championship with less than 19 wins. Judson is currently 16-12. Judson finished 2002 with a 19-12 record, was 20-12 in 2006, and 19-9 in 2008.

Overall, Cardinal Stritch holds a 24-8 advantage over Judson and won both meetings this year in the CCAC. In the first meeting, Cardinal Stritch won in Elgin, Ill., 78-62, on January 9th and then on February 3rd they took the game in Milwaukee, 90-67. In the last 10 meetings, Judson is 3-7 with the three wins coming in the last two years. Judson took two games from Cardinal Stritch in the 2007-08 season, winning 83-75 in the first meeting and then winning the CCAC Championship game 97-79. Last year the two teams split the series with Judson taking the second meeting, 84-80.

Judson has won 15 of their last 17 games with their only losses to Cardinal Stritch. Judson started off the year 1-10 before the current streak of games. Judson is on a six-game winning streak. They are also fourth in the NAIA in assists per game (18), eighth in field goal percentage (.490), ninth in scoring offense (85.7) and assists (504), 11th in defensive rebounds/game (28), and 23rd in blocks per game (3.39).

The game should be a battle for both teams as they look to advance to the NAIA National Tournament.