Marietta College Pioneers vs. Mount Union Purple Raiders
Wednesday – February 8 – 7:00 pm
Fenton Court at Ban Johnson Arena
“WHITE OUT!”
The Pioneers Have the Blueprint to Upset the Purple Raiders
February 8, by C. Jay Prescher
The Marietta College men’s basketball team welcomes the No. 4 nationally-ranked team in the nation to “The BanJo” this evening. It’s “WHITE OUT” Pioneer fans, as the Navy Blue tries upset the Mount Union Purple Raiders. It will not be easy. Mount Union is ranked 4th in the country for a reason.
They are an excellent basketball team. But the Pioneers have the blueprint to not only defeat Mike Fuline’s 19-2 Purple Raiders, but start a run that could erase the disappointment of what’s been an up-and-down 13-8 season. Marietta has the blueprint to beat every team that’s knocked them off this year. All of them!
Saturday’s loss at John Carroll was proof. When the Navy Blue played up to their capabilities in the first half, they were beating the No. 7 team in the nation. Marietta was outplaying the Blue Streaks on their home floor. As soon as the Pioneers appeared to lose focus early in the second half, things fell apart. They fell apart fast.
The Marietta College men’s basketball team has the talent to compete with any team in the Ohio Athletic Conference. One of the best will visit The BanJo this evening. But the Pioneers have two things going in their favor. One is that tonight’s battle will be played inside the most imposing home court advantage in NCAA Division III basketball. Second, Marietta has the blueprint to beat Mount Union, and everyone else on the remaining schedule for that matter. Now, all they need to is follow it.
The Word Jester is not employed by Marietta College, and is not affiliated with the Ohio Athletic Conference or D3 Hoops.com
The opinions expressed in this article are the exclusive viewpoints of the author.
They do not reflect the points of view, policies, or principles of any outside agency or organization.
