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1999-2000 Men's Basketball
Review
In many respects, the 1999-2000 men's basketball
team overachieved, finishing 17-8 overall and 2nd in the SCAC. However,
the team had high expectations early on, as they were the favorite
to win the SCAC in the coaches pre-season poll. With the return
of four starters and 11 letterman from a 19-6 campaign in 1998-99,
everyone was optimistic.
The Lynx suffered a major setback in the first week
of practice, however, when they lost All-Conference forward Patrick
Yoder to a season-ending knee injury. Yoder had led the Lynx in
rebounding for three consecutive seasons and was considered one
of the premiere defenders in the entire league. Junior forward Michael
Davis replaced Yoder at the power forward position, and had his
best season yet as a Lynx. The Memphis native led the league in
rebounding (8.8 rpg), blocks (2.0 bpg) and averaged 11.4 ppg. Along
with 1st team All-SCAC junior center Neal Power, who led the league
in scoring (18.4 ppg) and field goal percentage (.594), Rhodes had
perhaps the best 1-2 punch inside.
Also in 1999-2000, once again Josh Cockerham and
Mark Strausser gave the Lynx steady play at the guard positions,
and with the addition of transfer Drew Murphy, Rhodes had numerous
weapons on the floor. Murphy started at the point for the last 17
games of the season, averaging 9.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 1.5 steals
a game. Cockerham, who now owns 5 of 6 career Lynx 3 point shooting
records, averaged 14.4 ppg, and shot (.868) from the foul line--good
enough to lead the SCAC, and second best ever for a Lynx player.
Strausser was moved to the small forward position,
and despite several nagging injuries, managed to average 6 ppg,
3.8 rpg and 4.0 assist a contest. Junior forward Ross Armstrong
gave the Lynx valuable minutes off the bench, as did Freshman sharp
shooter Bryan Baird, who led the Lynx in three point field goal
percentage (.477) and averaged 5.0 ppg.
Rhodes had several impressive wins in 1999-2000,
including a 73-65 home win over conference champion Trinity, and
a thrilling 81-70 home win against DePauw. With Yoder back, the
Lynx return three starters in 2000-2001, and should make another
run at a SCAC title.
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