by Matt Koll
The 2020-2021 season was anything but normal for every team, not only across the Presidents’ Athletic Conference but across the country. The words “protocols”, “positive tests”, and “social distancing” unfortunately became part of the daily vernacular of coaches, players, fans and families alike.
“Guys have been so resilient as far as doing the COVID tests once per week in October and then when we came back in January, doing it three times per week and continuing to do that right now,” said Westminster head coach Kevin Siroki.
It’s safe to say each team just appreciated the fact that games would be played this year and they were going to have a season, regardless of the number they’d be able to play.
But here we are. Another PAC Men’s Basketball Tournament is thankfully upon us and Siroki’s Westminster Titans hold the top seed after finishing the regular season with an 8-1 record.
Being the top seed in the tournament brings with it high expectations, but Siroki’s confident squad isn’t feeling the pressure heading in.
“Our guys are really focused and they’ve been focused all year long, that’s the best part about it. Every day they come ready to practice, they practice hard, they have a lot of fun. Yeah, I don’t think there’s any pressure on us at all. If we play together as a team and keep rebounding like we’ve been rebounding, and play together, I think we should have a good chance.”
The tournament will begin on Saturday evening (March 13) with two first round matchups, followed by quarterfinals on Tuesday (March 16), semifinals Thursday (March 18) and the PAC Championship Game next Saturday (March 20). Here’s a look at the rest of the conference by seed:
#1 WESTMINSTER (8-1)
One single point, a 64-63 loss to Washington & Jefferson, separated the Titans from an undefeated COVID-shortened season. Westminster boasts the highest scoring margin (13.8) in the conference and is riding a 5-game winning streak in which it didn’t score fewer than 78 points in a single matchup. The Titans are led by senior Isaac Stamatiades who has averaged a double double per game (16.1 points, 13.2 rebounds) and makes it look easy.
“He’s a big, strong kid. Sometimes as coaches you look at it like, ‘Man, he didn’t have a very good game.’ Then you look at the stats and he’s got 19 points and 13 rebounds and you’re like, ‘you could have had 25 points and 18 rebounds,’” head coach Kevin Siroki said with a laugh. “We’re harder on him than anybody and he’s harder on himself than anybody as well. He gets extra practice in, especially in the weight room. He put his body together in the last four years and I give him a lot of credit.”
If Westminster wins its first PAC Championship since 2004, there’s a good chance they’ll have heavily relied on Stamatiades along the way.
First game: Home vs. #7 Waynesburg/#10 Saint Vincent winner 7:30 pm Tuesday
#2 GENEVA (7-2)
Speaking of one point, Geneva lost to top-ranked Westminster 79-78 back on February 24th. If all goes well for both teams, they may just meet again in the tournament with a lot more at-stake. Will things go differently for the Golden Tornadoes if that rematch occurs?
“We just didn’t get off to a good start [in that game]. I think a little bit of nerves got in there because it was a big game. But I think we settled down in the second half and we really just ran out of time. If we have another minute, I think we win that game,” said head coach Jeff Santarsiero. “But we’re taking those losses as learning experiences like we should. You want to get to the tournament, you want to get a high seed and get as many home games as you can and we’re right there. This team gets it.”
Santarsiero deems conference-leading scorer Lyle Tipton (21.0) the player of the year (hard to argue). In fact, Geneva’s offense has been the conference’s best, averaging 88.6 points per game. Clearly, getting buckets hasn’t been an issue. But it may be what they do without the ball that keeps them in the tournament.
“I like the way this team is playing right now. We’re a tough guard. But I think what it’s going to come down to in how we advance in the tournament is if we can stop people. One advantage of having so much time off before you play is you can put some new things in and work on some defensive stuff and add some wrinkles in. But if we can stop people and keep up the offensive output, we’ve got a good shot.”
Geneva will be looking for its second consecutive PAC Championship Game appearance.
First game: Home vs. #8 Franciscan/#9 Bethany winner 7 pm Tuesday
#3 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON (7-2)
The Presidents boast the PAC’s top-ranked defense, giving up just 65.8 points per game this season. Their signature win came early in the season with a 64-63 victory over top-seeded Westminster. The Presidents picked up two 9-point victories against Grove City on the road and Thiel at home to end the season. Look out for Cameron Seeman, he averaged 18.8 points per game this year to lead the way offensively.
First game: Home vs. #6 Thiel 7 pm Tuesday
#4 GROVE CITY (6-3)
Another Steve Lamie team that loves to utilize its bench, the Wolverines finished the regular season on a high note with two double digit wins over Bethany at home and Waynesburg on the road. This year’s team has been marked by its efficiency on offense (40% FG is 2nd in the PAC) and rebounding (ranked 2nd both offensively and defensively).
First game: Home vs. #5 Chatham 7 pm Tuesday (on PACSN)
#5 CHATHAM (5-4)
When the Cougars have won games this season, they’ve done so by filling up the stat sheet offensively. Three of their five wins came by scoring at least 92 points. So this team can get hot at any moment. Unfortunately, they just missed out on hosting a home game in this year’s tournament, which could have served them well considering they were 3-1 at their home court this season. Malik Potter (16.4 ppg), Marcos Cintron (14.7 ppg), Brandon Lavernia (13.7 ppg) and Ben Pollock (12.3 ppg) are all double digit scorers that keep this team dangerous.
First game: @ #4 Grove City 7 pm Tuesday (on PACSN)
#6 THIEL (3-6)
If there’s one thing that defines the Thiel Tomcats under longtime head coach Tim Loomis it’s their athleticism. They’ve got plenty of it again this year with players like Ahmad Tejumola (15.9 ppg) and Chima Omeihe. This team hits the boards well, finishing 4th in both offensive and defensive rebounding. The team defense and free throw shooting (9th in PAC) have held them back a bit.
First game: @ #3 W&J 7 pm Tuesday
#7 WAYNESBURG (3-6)
You’re in for a battle when you play this team. Though consistent scoring has been tough to come by (66.4 ppg ranks last in PAC), the Yellow Jackets’ 2nd-ranked defense keeps them in games. They’ve held teams to 75 points or fewer in 6 of their 9 games. They’re a solid 75% from the free throw line as a team as well.
First game: Home vs. #10 Saint Vincent 7 pm Saturday
#8 FRANCISCAN (2-7)
The Barons love to push the pace and get up and down the floor. That style has led to the 3rd highest scoring offense in the conference at 82.6 points per game. In fact, if you like to see points being scored, tune in for their games. Their offense has plenty of firepower but unfortunately their defense is allowing by far the most points per game (97.6). Justin Mack is averaging 19.4 points per game to lead the squad.
First game: Home vs. #9 Bethany 7 pm Saturday (on PACSN)
#9 BETHANY (2-7)
Oddly enough, the Bison didn’t record a win at home this season so going on the road may not bother this team too much. Bethany won two in a row before falling to Grove City (86-64) to end the regular season. Dalton Hamrick (17.2 ppg) will try to lead them past a Franciscan team in the opening round that scored 100 points against them in the opening game of the season.
First game: @ Franciscan 7 pm Saturday (on PACSN)
#10 SAINT VINCENT (2-7)
A historically good program hit some tougher times this season, finishing the year on a 6-game losing streak after starting out 2-1. Shemar Bennett has been a stud and a bright spot for this team, capping off his college career by averaging 20 points per game for the Bearcats. One of their wins did come against first round opponent Waynesburg back on February 13th (71-64).
First game: @ Waynesburg 7 pm Saturday
