ORLANDO, Fla.-Months of sweat and soreness, dreams and joys ended when Xavier defeated the Bulldogs 89-74.
In just the fourth loss in 30 games for the Dawgs this season, innumerable and even unnameable memories flooded the players’ minds. Careers in Maroon and White ended for Errol Bennett, Lincoln Smith, Dennis Buse, Branden Vincent, Timmy Bowers and manager Erick Casto.
“That’s how it works,” said Timmy Bowers. “Every guy will get this feeling unless he is on the team that wins the championship.”
Bowers, an all-SEC guard, will graduate with a degree in fitness management in May. He said he will take a week off before he starts training for NBA try-outs.
“Timmy will graduate with more wins than any player,” said head coach Rick Stansbury. “I am proud of him and I am proud for him. He always brought the right mental approach.”
Bowers’ roommate Branden Vincent will also complete degree requirements for fitness management.
“I’ll probably have three classes and an internship and finish up in the summer,” Vincent said.
Vincent knew his days as a Bulldog would end at some point, but that didn’t help the process.
“It was tough to watch the clock tick,” he said.
Stansbury frequently called Vincent the team’s most valuable player this year.
“Branden Vincent is a warrior, a champ. What else could I ask for?” Stansbury said.
Although a junior, SEC Player of the Year Lawrence Roberts might enter the NBA draft early.
“I will consult my family and coaches,” Roberts said. ” There is a bright future for basketball here.” For other seniors putting their careers into words came too soon as well.
“There’s a lot going through my mind,” Smith said. “It was an awesome, magical year. In my five years there were so many great moments.”
Smith, who redshirted 2000-
01, is now pursuing a Masters degree in public administration
“That last half flew by,” Buse said. “They made all their shots. Nobody would have beaten them today.”
Buse is pursuing a Masters degree in sport administration, so he will be in Starkville next year.
It’s the last time to be part of a team,” Buse said. “Memories from the locker room and training room stick out.”