Wagner finds a silver -- or green -- lining as its season ends in the NCAA's Round of 64

 

Wagner's Julian Brown tries a shot over the extended arm of North Carolina's RJ Davis in Thursday’s Round of 64 contest.  (Photo:  Wagner Athletics)

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CHARLOTTE – It felt – for a bit – wrong calling Wagner a Cinderella story. After all, Cinderella had a happy ending.

Maybe there is a happy ending for the Seahawks, after all.

Sure, let’s get the unhappy part out of the way. Wagner fell to North Carolina in Round of 64 action here in the Spectrum Center Thursday, 90-62. The Seahawks trailed by as many as 30 and never led, despite tying the game at 13 and 15.

In the interest of the transfer portal season on which we’ve now embarked, with that being said…

Wagner (17-16) knocked off the top three seeds in the NEC tournament to win the league, then won a grueling, 71-68, First Four contest with Howard in Dayton two nights ago to get here. They did all this with seven healthy players. The Seahawks never played the “we’re just happy to be here” card. They came to win, and it showed.

“These guys feel they belong here,” Wagner coach Donald Copeland said after the game. “I think they worked to put themselves in this position. “I’m glad (for) the way we played.”

Copeland’s team – and those like it – have been the subject of discussion, especially now. Talk continues about expanding the NCAA tournament, eliminating auto-bids for conference tournament champions, and other ideas to “freshen up” the event. Copeland paints a different picture of the value teams like Wagner bring to the annual three-week tourney.

“I don't necessarily agree with (eliminating conference tournament auto-bids),” Copeland said. “I think the Wagners and schools of this level make the tournament, just as any other high major or blue-blood program. It's a chance to compete. We're all under one flag.”

“Obviously, we all know the differences in conferences and that nature. But what makes the NCAA Tournament is the fact that it's a one-game season every game and anything can happen and anything's possible, so it gives meaning to your season. Everyone's playing for a championship. I think, if you win a championship in your conference, you should have the right to compete on a national stage with everybody else.”

The game also had a bit of a hometown feel, in that former Bergen Catholic teammates squared off on the deck. Wagner guard Julian Brown and Carolina guard Elliot Cadeau played together for the Crusaders, and Brown relished the opportunity to square off with his former teammate on the game’s biggest stage.

“It's a blessing. You don't see that often, with two high school teammates meeting at the college level, playing on one of the biggest stages of the world,” Brown said. “He's like a little brother to me. After the game I told him, ‘Go win the rest of this tournament.’  I love him. It was great to compete against him today, and I'm super proud of him.”

Depth plagued the Seahawks, as one might imagine. Wagner got 22 minutes or greater for six of its seven healthy players, with Seck Zongo limited to just nine due to early foul concerns. Three Seahawks finished in doubles, with Brown and Melvin Council Jr. each booking 18. As might also be expected, the pair were asked to do a lot, hoisting 30 of their side’s 58 tries. Keyontae Lewis tried another eight, logging 13 points and four boards in 24 minutes while battling his own foul concerns.

Still, despite having three players play all 40 minutes, Wagner refused to fold. The Seahawks turned in a strong second-half effort, dropping 12 of their 24 tries and hitting 5-of-8 from distance. Brown missed just once from the deck in the second stanza, canning a pair of triples and tallying 10 in the period.

Brown spoke after the game of the challenge of winning a conference title and the experience of playing in the NCAA tournament.

“Look at us. We made it to March Madness,” Brown said. “What makes you think another NEC (school) couldn't make it, you know what I'm saying? I put respect on the NEC because it's a very tough conference.”

Wagner guard Javier Ezquerra echoed the sentiment.

“It's been amazing. This is like a dream come true,” Ezquerra said. “This is what everybody dreams (about). Every kid that plays basketball wants to play at this level. I'm just blessed. I wouldn't be here without God, so I just want to thank Him.”

The positivity radiated from Copeland. Despite the result, he appeared resolute and proud. Copeland reflected on the final chapter of the Seahawks’ story.

“I think (the tournament run) helps in a positive way, for sure,” Copeland said. “This has always been the expectation, whether we've had difficult seasons or some of the successful seasons we've had, there's always been an expectation of winning an NEC conference (title) and then having the chance to compete (in the tournament.”

“It's nice to be able to do that, and it definitely gives the program something to continue to strive for and hopefully try to get better. Because you have to get better. You can't just do it the same way. It's good to finally get this done and now raise expectations.”