ORLANDO, Fla-When the Monmouth Hawks stepped on the floor for practice Thursday, several players stole a glance at the upper deck of the 17,248 seat T.D. Waterhouse Centre, home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
It was a far cry from their 2,500 seat home gym on the university’s campus in central New Jersey.
But for many Hawk players, it was the realization of a goal that began in high school.
“(Monmouth) made the tournament a few years ago and that’s always been my dream,” said freshman guard Brent Stephens. “Of the schools that recruited me, this was the best choice so that I could get back (to the tournament) every year.”
Senior guard Jason Krayl said, unlike the Bulldogs, the Hawks could not depend on regular season success to garner a bid to the tournament.
“We’re obviously not going to get an at-large bid, so the only we’ll get to go is by winning the conference tournament,” Krayl said.
Being in his last year of eligibility made the trip to Orlando all the sweeter for Krayl.
“To go as a senior it means even more, because the stark reality hits that you’re going to be out in the real world in a couple of months,” Krayl said.
Only four No. 15 seeds have beaten a No. 2 seed in the history of the NCAA Tournament. The last time Monmouth made the tournament, they endured a 95-52 drubbing at the hands of Duke. But for the Hawks, the opportunity to play even a single game in the Big Dance was enough to bring them to Monmouth.
Hawk coach Dave Calloway was honest about his team’s chances against State.
“They’re bigger, stronger, faster and more athletic. Other than that, we’ll be fine,” Calloway said. Monmouth’s fans were not dissuaded by the unfavorable odds. Their section was full of fans of blue-and-white-clad fans. Bill Dioguardi, who swam for Hawks before his graduation in 1980, took his 10-year-old daughter Julia out of school to watch the Hawks.
“She’s the ultimate fan,” Bill Dioguardi said of his daughter, who had her painted her face like a hawk. “The minute they made it, we got the plane tickets.”
He said love for basketball and love for the university made a him a supporter of the program.
“It’s a great atmosphere (at Monmouth’s home games),” Bill Dioguardi said. “The last few games, we’ve sold out. It’s first-class basketball. It’s a motion offense, so it’s fun to watch.”
Julia’s criteria for good basketball team is different from her father’s. She said her favorite player was reserve guard Chris Kenny “because he’s cute.”
Bill Dioguardi said he was familiar with MSU athletics, primarily because of the Bulldogs’ basketball success.
“Last year, I had them picked to go far (in the NCAA Tournament). They’ve got the kid from Baylor, who’s tremendous,” Bill Dioguardi said. “I know it’s also a big-time football school.”
Julia Dioguardi’s knowledge of Mississippi was limited to one fact: “It’s a long word.”
The coach’s father, Bill Calloway, said that win or lose, the program will benefit.
“It’s not life and death. The program has come way beyond that. The fans have embraced the players. We have a great nucleus coming back,” Bill Calloway said.
Attracting players will be the most obvious benefit, Bill Calloway said.
“With so many Division I schools around the area, it’s big. It’s great for our recruiting,” he said.
Basketball isn’t the only thing Monmouth has going for it, said junior forward Blake Hamilton.
“It’s an hour and a half from Philadelphia, and an hour and half from New York City,” Hamilton said. “It’s a mile away from the beach. When it gets warm outside, it’s great.”