Last season: 17-9, 9-5 2nd place
win that made you raise an eyebrow: 76-48 vs Albion
loss that made you raise an eyebrow: either loss to Alma
Seniors: none, Richaud Pack (transfer out)
Adrian is another MIAA team who's season got off on the wrong foot with injuries. Dennis Mason missed almost half of the season, and Wes Reed played 5 minutes the whole season due to injury. Later injuries to Brad Whitby, Cody Barnes and DeLano Collins affected their late season play. The non-conference saw the Bulldogs go 7-3 with a disappointing 25 point loss to regional powerhouse Wooster. Just before Christmas Adrian received an early gift when Richaud Pack transferred from D1 Florida International. His scoring was a much needed lift to a sometimes struggling offense.
The MIAA season opened with a hard fought 68-61 win at Calvin, followed by an equally hard fought nine point loss at Hope. Adrian's first big stumble of the season came with a stunning loss at Alma which tilted the MIAA title race in Hope's favor for good, from that day forward Adrian no longer controlled their MIAA Championship destiny. A second win over Calvin set-up a showdown with Hope that would have given the Bulldogs a fighting chance at the title but Hope prevailed in a defensive battle to all but wrap up the title. Adrian stumbled in two of its next three games, including a second inexplicable loss to Alma. Wins over Kalamazoo and Albion in the seasons final week solidified a 2nd place finish, to my knowledge the schools best in a couple or more decades. An injured Adrian squad took Hope to the wire in the MIAA Tournament Championship and nearly took home the trophy with a gutty 62-65 OT loss.
2012-2013
Key Returnees: Brad Whitby(?), Sean Gallant, Adam Meier, Eric Lewis, DeLano Collins, Cody Barnes, Dennis Mason, Brad Hohman, Drew Torey, Curtis Gordan, Wes Reed(?)
There are quite few uncertainties surrounding next years Bulldogs, starting with Richaud Pack who made no secret of his desire to return to D1. But at this point I'm willing to say there's a slight chance he returns to Adrian College next fall until there isn't one, but really who knows. Brad Whitby's late season injury also makes next season a question mark. Will he return as good or better, after Pack he was the Bulldogs next best offensive option. Finally Wes Reed, his 3 point shooting was sorely missed and his addition to the roster would be a welcome one. With all of these pieces in place, Adrian should be a solid basketball team next year.
Adrian's second place finish was as legit as it could be, seven of their 9 conference wins were by double-digits. For the 3rd straight year they led the league in scoring defense, what is now a Mark White coached squad hallmark. Its felt like Adrian has been building up for a serious run at the title for a couple years. Given the returning players, next year feels like the year they'll have the best shot. If watching the MIAA has taught me anything its to be wary of teams with many experienced Seniors. Adrian will have six next season to go with what should be a deeper and more experienced bench. Losing Pack however takes a vital offensive piece out of the mix, losing Brad Whitby for an extended period of time could change their whole season outlook. That could be enough to keep them just short of winning the title.
Mark White is 27-12 vs MIAA competition, at least those not named Hope where White is 1-8. Its the one big hump the Bulldogs must get over to have a chance at winning the MIAA Championship.
Range of finish: 1st if things go really well, 2nd or 3rd, 4th if the attrition is too much. Most likely 2nd or 3rd
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