The regular season is over, and the postseason is set to begin as the Oswego State men’s basketball team hosts SUNY Cortland for the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament on Tuesday at Max Ziel Gymnasiumn. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Lakers finished the season as the fourth seed with a record of 18-7 (12-6 SUNYAC). Joe Sullivan led the Lakers in scoring during the regular season, averaging 14.6 points per game. Jeremiah Sparks contributed 13.7 points per game, while Brandan Gartland averaged 13.4 points per game and Liam Sanborn averaged 10.2 points per game.

The Red Dragons finished the season as the fifth seed with a record of 17-8 (11-7 SUNYAC). They are led by Austin Grunder, who averaged 21.5 points per game as well as 14.9 rebounds. Eric Edwards contributed averages of 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Ryan Schmadel finished the season averaging 13 points per game.

Previous Meetings This Season 

Oswego State and SUNY Cortland each went 1-1 against one another this season. In the first meeting, it was a home game for Oswego State that ended in a 68-66 victory for the Lakers. Jeremiah Sparks finished the game with 31 points and 13 rebounds, and Brandan Gartland tossed in 14 points. For the Red Dragons, Brendan Fitzpatrick finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Austin Grunder tossed in 14 points to go with 16 rebounds, and Eric Edwards contributed 16 points and seven rebounds. The next meeting was a road game for the Lakers, which saw them lose 82-72. Joe Sullivan finished with 25 points, Brandan Gartland tossed in 20 points and Liam Sanborn finished with 14 points. For the Red Dragons, Austin Grunder finished with a big night, as he scored 32 points and had 12 rebounds. Eric Edwards finished with 18 points of his own in the win.

Players to Watch

Oswego State: Joe Sullivan

Sullivan is the leading scorer for the Lakers and has been one of their more consistent players throughout the season. When Sullivan plays well, the Lakers are extremely tough to beat. Not only will Sullivan be expected to have a good night scoring, but he will also have to battle on the boards against Grunder and Edwards, two very good rebounders for the Red Dragons. Sullivan is on double-double watch tonight. 

SUNY Cortland: Austin Grunder

Grunder goes out every night and typically finishes with a double-double. Against the Lakers this season, he averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds per game. Grunder finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds on Feb. 21 vs. The College at Brockport, and he will be expected to finish with his usual numbers tonight vs. the Lakers.

Prediction

This one should really be a close one. But with home court secured and Oswego State head coach Jason Leone’s postseason success, expect the Lakers to walk out of Max Ziel Gymnasium with the victory 75-70. 

Final Standings:

1. The College at Brockport 22-3 (17-1 SUNYAC)
2. SUNY Potsdam 19-6 (14-4 SUNYAC)
3. SUNY Oneonta 18-7 (14-4 SUNYAC)
4. Oswego State 18-7 (12-6 SUNYAC)
5. SUNY Cortland 17-8 (11-7 SUNYAC)
6. SUNY Geneseo 9-16 (6-12 SUNYAC)
7. Plattsburg State (e) 8-17 (5-13 SUNYAC)
8. Buffalo State (e) 6-16 (4-14 SUNYAC)
9. SUNY Fredonia (e) 8-17 (4-14 SUNYAC)
10. SUNY New Paltz (e) 7-18 (3-15 SUNYAC)

SUNYAC Playoff Updates:

SUNY Oneonta hosts SUNY Geneseo Tuesday. The Red Dragons are the three seed and the Knights are the sixth seed. The winner of that game goes on to face the number two seed SUNY Potsdam on Friday. The winner of the game between Oswego State and SUNY Cortland goes on to play the number one seed The College at Brockport Friday. 

Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian