Game Preview
• Navy will look to snap its two-game losing skid on Saturday when the Midshipmen open Patriot League action against Bucknell … it marks the first time in program history that Navy will open Patriot League play at home, playing its previous eight openers on the road … meeting for just the 12th time in series history, the two will face off at 12:00 pm at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
• The Mids are coming off a disappointing 9-8 loss to fourth-ranked North Carolina last Saturday in Annapolis that saw Navy hold a comfortable lead early in the game … the Mids held a held a 3-0 advantage after the first and maintained it’s three-goal advantage with a 6-3 lead at the half … the Tar Heels rallied in the fourth, outscoring the Mids 4-0, to squeeze past Navy … meanwhile, the stat of the game for a second-straight year was Carolina winning 18 of the 20 draws … in the last two games against the Tar Heels, Navy has won just six of the 42 faceoffs.
• Bucknell is coming off its second overtime loss of the season, a 13-12 decision on the road against No. 9 Villanova … the Bison were down by as many as three goals in the first half, but a goal by Todd Heritage with 1:22 to play in the game sent it into extra minutes … Villanova capitalized on an early penalty by Bucknell in the extra frame to win the game.

Taking the Field In …
10    Navy has lost just five games (47-5) when scoring 10 or more goals since the start of the 2004 season … Navy is 1-0 this season when achieving that feat.
9    Nikk Davis (3), Tucker Hull (4) and Sam Jones (2) combined to score nine of Navy’s 12 goals in last year’s overtime loss to the Bison … in four games, Davis has scored three goals and added five assists against the Bison.
8    Eight different players have provided points for the Mids this season, including Sam Jones and Pat Durkin who have scored goals in all three contests.
7    Sophomore attackman Sam Jones pushed his point-scoring streak to seven-straight games after his one-goal, two-assist effort against North Carolina last Saturday … he opened the season with  a remarkable nine-point (5-4) effort against VMI … it’s the most points scored by a Navy player since Dennis Nealon produced 12 points against Washington College  on March 20, 1991.
6    Sophomore attackman Tucker Hull has recorded six hat tricks in his 16-game Navy career, including two this season … he led the Mids with six goals against VMI in the opener on Feb. 11 … it’s the most goals by a Navy player since Taylor Harris scored six against Holy Cross on March 26, 2006.
5    Each of the last five games between Navy and Bucknell have been decided by one goal … the Mids are 3-2 in those contests
4    In the fourth quarter this season, the Mids have been held to just three goals … they have been outscored 7-3 in the final quarter this season with that four-goal margin coming in last week’s loss to No. 4 North Carolina.
3    Three of Navy’s 2012 opponents are ranked in the 2012 USILA Coaches Poll – Johns Hopkins (2), North Carolina (4) and Maryland (5) – while Army and Colgate are receiving votes.
2    Senior midfielder Nikk Davis scored two goals in the final 18 seconds (0:18, 0:07) of last year’s Bucknell game to send the contest into extra minutes.
1    Over the last four seasons, 23 (9-14) of the Mids’ 63 contests have been decided by one goal … Navy has lost five-straight one-goal games.

More on the Bison
• It’s been heartbreak city for the Bison this season, dropping three games by a combined four goals, including overtime losses to nationally-ranked Delaware (11-10) and Villanova (13-12).
• Seventh-year head coach Frank Fedorjaka has put together a tough early-season schedule for the Bison, playing three of their first four games on the road … Saturday’s contest against the Mids marks the third-straight road game for Bucknell.
• The Bison turned in a 14-3 record a year ago and claimed the Patriot League Regular-Season and Tournament crowns.
• Fedorjaka returns seven starters from last year’s team, including First-Team All-Patriot League Billy Eisenreich who has moved from the midfield to attack this season … the senior is pacing the team with 11 points on six goals and a team-high tying five assists.
• Attackman Todd Heritage was one of the team’s top rookies a year ago and has returned to form this season where he has scored a team-best seven goals … meanwhile, rookie midfielder David Dickson has recorded nine points on four goals and five assists for the Bison this season … Dickson picked up Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors this past Monday after a two-goal, three-assist effort against Villanova.
• Junior Kyle Feeney has returned to the goal where he has surrendered 34 goals (11.29), while making 39 saves (53.4).
• Junior Ryan Gutkowski has taken over the faceoff duties this season, winning 28 of his 56 draws (50.0), while picking up a team-high 13 ground balls … his backup, rookie Gavin Sullivan, has won seven of 18 (38.9) draws.

Series History
• Saturday’s contest between Navy and Bucknell marks the 12th game in a series that began in 1996 … Navy holds a 7-4 advantage, including wins in five of the last seven contests.
• Navy had won three straight in the series before rookie Charlie Streep’s goal as time expired snapped the Mids’ winning streak in 2009 during the regular season.
• However, the Mids got sweet revenge on Bucknell’s home field when they scored a 9-8 win in the 2009 Patriot League Championship Game to earn an automatic bid to play in the NCAA Tournament.
• Seven of the 11 games in the series have been decided by one goal, including each of the last five … three of the seven one-goal contests have entered into extra minutes, including each of the last two … in 2010, midfielder Patrick Moran stuck his shot 1:20 into overtime to lead the Mids to an 8-7 OT win … meanwhile, last year scored four goals in the fourth, including a pair by Nikk Davis in the final 18 seconds of the game to send it into overtime … rookie Todd Heritage, however, found an opening and scored the game-winner for the Bison.
• Navy holds a 4-1 advantage in games played in Annapolis, including wins in each of the last four … the only game the Mids have dropped to Bucknell in Annapolis was the series’ inaugural game on April 3, 1996 … no surprise, the Bison edged the Mids by one goal, 6-5.

2011 Navy-Bucknell Recap
• Bucknell attackman Todd Heritage took a feed from Billy Eisenreich and tucked it past Navy keeper RJ Wickham to lead the Bison to a dramatic 12-11 double-overtime victory over Navy at Christy Mathewson Stadium.  The Mids scored four goals in the final 3:47 of regulation, including two in the final 18 seconds to send the game into OT.
• After Navy midfielder Nikk Davis scored the game’s opening goal at the 12:49 mark in the first period, Bucknell went on a four-goal scoring spree that featured three goals in just over a minute (7:46, 7:14, 6:29). The Mids, however, fought their way back, thanks in part to winning a handful of faceoffs.  In fact, an extra-man goal by freshman Sam Jones, followed by a nicely set up play by Jones to fellow rookie Tucker Hull pulled Navy to within one by the end of the first quarter.
• Navy tied the game at 4-4 just over two minutes into the second quarter when Jones found Brian Striffler cutting up the middle.  Over the next six minutes the two teams traded goals, but back-to-back goals by Bison senior Ryan Klipstein gave Bucknell 7-5 advantage heading into halftime.
• Bucknell pushed its lead to four at 9-5 with back-to-back goals to open the third stanza.  Heritage scored just 44 seconds into the second half, while Eisenreich gave the Bison their largest lead of the game with a 10-yard shot up the gut with 12:41 remaining in the third.
• The Mids climbed back into the game when Hull scored his third and fourth goals of the game.  The second of the two was generated by a save from Wickham who brought the ball up the field.  Wickham found Jones who then passed it off to short stick defensive middie Jordan Seivold who quickly sent the outlet to Hull who then cranked it in and got the Mids to within two once again at 9-7.
• Navy’s defense played a solid in the second half, keeping the Bison off the scoreboard for nearly 20 minutes.  At the 10:30 mark in the fourth, defensive midfielder Brye French attempted to throw his clearing pass across the field, but instead threw it right into the stick of Bucknell’s Charlie Streep at the top of the offensive box.  With the goal left vacated by Wickham, Streep sent a shot to the wide open goal.  Navy defenseman Michael Hirsch, however, made a spectacular play, diving at the shot and deflecting it away in what would have been a sure goal for the Bison.
• Mike Danylyshyn gave Bucknell its first goal since the 12:41 mark in the third period when he used a roll dodge to break free of Navy defensive midfielder Marty Gallagher to give the Bison a three-goal cushion with 7:54 to play in regulation.
• Navy simply would not quit, as it ralled over the final four minutes to force overtime.  Senior midfielder Andy Warner sent a hard shot with nearly no angle that caught the inside of the pipe at the 3:47 mark.  With 1:59 left, Warner found Jones cutting to the goal with Jones sticking the shot to bring the Mids to within one (10-9).
• However, a push by midfielder Jay Mann would prove costly for the Mids, as Navy surrendered an extra-man goal to Bucknell’s Chase Bailey with 1:15 to go.
•Draw specialist Logan West, who had struggled mightily over the previous few weeks, won back-to-back faceoffs to put the ball in the Mids’ hands.  In fact, in the fourth quarter he won five of the seven draws.
• With 18 seconds remaining, Warner sent a high pass to Davis who was forced to make an acrobatic catch and then punched it in for the goal.  West won the ensuing faceoff and the Mids went racing down the field where Hull found Davis for the game-tying goal with just seven ticks left on the clock.
• West continued to own the “x” coming up with the faceoff again, but an errant pass between Davis and Warner put the ball back into Bucknell’s hands. The Bison brought the ball down the field and worked it around.  Navy’s defense slid and left Heritage wide open on the crease for the game-winner.

League Openers
• Navy heads into its ninth season as a member of the Patriot League where it has put together a 38-11 (77.6) record.
• The Mids own a 5-3 record in Patriot League openers, including a 1-2 mark against Bucknell.
• Remarkably, Saturday’s contest marks the first time Navy has opened its Patriot League season at home … the Mids have played seven openers on the road and one, vs. Bucknell, in San Diego.

Patriot League Success
• Since joining the Patriot League in 2004, Navy is 49-13 (79.0) against conference members, which includes an 11-2 mark in the Patriot League Tournament … the Mids are 38-11 in regular-season action.
• The Mids have lost regular-season contests to …
Army (3)    2008, ‘10, ‘11
Bucknell (3)    2005, ‘09, ‘11
Colgate (3)    2006, ‘09, ‘11
Lafayette (1)    2010
Lehigh (1)    2011
… and dropped the program’s first Patriot League Tournament contest at the 2008 semifinals against eventual champion Colgate and its second to Army in the 2010 championship contest.
• Ten of the 13 losses were in games played either at the opponent’s field or at a neutral site.
• Navy owns a 26-3 record at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium against Patriot League competition since joining the conference in 2004 … the Mids are 20-3 during the regular season – dropping a 10-9 decision to Colgate in 2009, a 5-4 loss to the Raiders in 2011 and a 14-9 decision to arch rival Army in ‘11 – and 6-0 in the conference tournament.
• The Mids have produced undefeated marks in conference action twice, 7-0 in 2004 and 6-0 in ‘07.
• Navy has won at least a share of the Patriot League regular-season title in five (2004-05-06-07-08) of the seven years it has been a member of the league.
• Additionally, the Mids have claimed the league’s tournament crown five times (2004-05-06-07-09).
• 31 different Midshipmen have garnered All-Patriot League recognition, while 19 of the 31 have earned honors multiple times.
• In 2008, three-time All-American Jordan DiNola was selected as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year … though Navy has fielded the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense five times since joining the league, DiNola was the first Mid to be named the league’s top defensive player.

Meet the Mids
• Navy will hold its annual “Meet the Mids” event on Saturday, March 17, following its game against Holy Cross (12:00 pm) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
• Members of the Navy men’s lacrosse team will be available for autographs on the Blue Concourse, with the first 300 kids in line for the postgame autograph session receiving a Navy lacrosse “Meet the Mids” t-shirt, compliments of Beach Boys Papa John’s and Chick-fil-A.

Maryland (16-12, 6-8) at #6/6 North Carolina (25-4, 12-2)
Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 | 7 p.m. | Chapel Hill, N.C. (Smith Center)
ESPN / ESPN3 | Terrapin Sports Radio Network

Terps will play six home games in 2012, including matchups with Florida State, Georgia Tech and Connecticut

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The 2012 Maryland football schedule, which includes league home games against Florida State and Georgia Tech, and a nonconference tilt with Connecticut, was announced jointly Monday by the Atlantic Coast Conference and the University.

Maryland will open 2012 season, the second under head coach Randy Edsall, on Saturday, Sept. 1 with a game against William & Mary, the first of six home contests.

The Terps, who face eight bowl teams from last year, will not play consecutive road or home games throughout 2012.

After a road trip to Temple on Sept. 8, the Terps return home on Sept. 15 to face Connecticut, where Edsall spent 12 years as head coach.

The Terps will face interstate rival West Virginia on Sept. 22 in Morgantown. Maryland and WVU will be facing each other for the third straight year after taking two years off in the series.

Maryland will enjoy a bye (Sept. 29) before entering conference play with a home game against Wake Forest (Oct. 6).

The Terps will play at border rival Virginia on Oct. 13 before facing a pair of Atlantic Division foes in NC State (Oct. 20 at home) and Boston College (Oct. 27 on the road).

Georgia Tech then visits College Park for the first time since 2007 on Nov. 3 and a road game against defending Atlantic Division champion Clemson follows on Nov. 10.

The Terrapins will face Florida State on Nov. 17, the final home contest for its senior class, before closing out the regular season at North Carolina on Nov. 26. The Terps and Tar Heels have not faced each other since 2008.

Game times will be announced at a later date. League home games are selected on a 12-day option by ESPN or the ACC Network. During the season, ESPN can choose certain ACC games on a six-day window. Times for early-season nonconference home games are announced in the summer.

Season tickets are now available for purchase and renewal.  A variety of season ticket options are available starting as low as $114. There are also family 4-packs available for $420 and season-ticket holders have the ability to spread their cost over six monthly installments.

Fans can purchase tickets by going to www.umterps.com or by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or 1-800-IMA-TERP. Single-game tickets will be available at a later date.

2012 Schedule

Sept. 1    William & Mary

Sept. 8    @ Temple

Sept. 15   Connecticut

Sept. 22   @ West Virginia

Sept. 29   Open

Oct. 6      Wake Forest

Oct. 13    @ Virginia

Oct. 20    NC State

Oct. 27    @ Boston College

Nov. 3     Georgia Tech

Nov. 10    @ Clemson

Nov. 17    Florida State

Nov. 24    @ North Carolina

Home games in bold and played at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium; Times are TBA

Schedule Notes:

• Nine bowl teams from last year appear on Maryland’s 2012 schedule: West Virginia (Discover Orange Bowl), Temple (Gilden New Mexico Bowl), Wake Forest (Franklin American Mortgage Music City), Virginia (Chick-fil-A Bowl), NC State (Belk Bowl), Georgia Tech (Hyundai Sun Bowl), Clemson (Discover Orange Bowl), Florida State (Champs Sports Bowl) and North Carolina (AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl).
• Maryland and William & Mary will be meeting for the fifth time. The series is even at 2-all. The last meeting occurred in 2006 with the Terps posting a 27-14 victory in College Park. The teams hadn’t met since 1946.
• Maryland leads the all-time series with Temple, 6-1. The Owls won their first game in the series last season, downing the Terps, 38-7.
• Maryland and West Virginia are playing for the third straight season after taking two years off in the series. The two schools met annually from 1980 to 2007. The Mountaineers hold a 25-21-2 advantage in a series that dates back to 1919.
• Connecticut and Maryland will be meeting for the just the second time. The Terps downed the Huskies, 34-0, in 1946. Randy Edsall was the head coach at UConn from 1999-2010.
• Maryland owns a 42-17-1 advantage in the series against Wake Forest, including victories in nine of the last 13. The Terps have won five of the last six in College Park.
• The Terps lead the all-time series with Virginia, 42-32-2. Maryland has won two of the last three in Charlottesville.
• The all-time series with NC State is tied, 32-32-4. The Terps have won eight of the last 12 in the series.
• Boston College leads the all-time series 6-3. Maryland and Boston College met for the first time in 21 years in Massachusetts in 2006 with the Eagles winning, 38-16 (in Chestnut Hill). Maryland’s 42-35 home victory in 2007 over the eighth-ranked Eagles snapped a three-game BC winning streak in the series. Maryland won the last time it visited Chestnut Hill (2010), its first victory in three trips.
• Georgia Tech leads the series with the Terps, 14-6, having won four of the last five meetings. Five of the last seven games have been decided by five points or less.
• Clemson holds a 32-26-2 advantage over Maryland in the series, but the Terps have won six of the last 11.
• Florida State has a 20-2 edge in the all-time series, but both Maryland wins have come at home in the last eight meetings.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —The fourth-ranked North Carolina men’s lacrosse team scored the game’s final four goals, including the game-winner by senior attackman Thomas Wood with 1:16 remaining in the game, to post a 9-8 come-from behind victory over Navy on Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.  UNC scored six of the game’s final seven goals as the Tar Heels rallied from four goals down on three different occasions.

“It was a heck of a game,” said Navy first-year head coach Rick Sowell.  “I am very proud of Navy’s perfromance and I thought for the first time the things we’ve worked on in practice actually showed up in the game.  Unfortunately our effort was not good enough to get a win against an oustanding North Carolina team, but I think we have a lot to take away from this game.”

The Midshipmen dominated the opening half of play on both ends, taking a 3-0 lead after the first quarter and a 6-3 advantage into halftime.  Junior midfielder Bryce Dabbs (Damascus, Md.) had an All-America-like performance over the first 30 minutes of play, scoring three of the Mids’ first four goals including each of the first two, while senior co-captain Taylor Reynolds (Babylon, N.Y.) pitched in a pair of goals in the opening half.

Navy scored six goals on 10 shots on goal in the first 30 minutes and overcame a 10-1 disadvantage in faceoffs against the nation’s leading draw specialist R.G. Keenan.  Defensively, senior goalkeeper RJ Wickham (Penn Yan, N.Y.) turned away eight Carolina shots, as the Tar Heels put 11 of their 14 shots on cage.

With a 6-3 lead, Navy opened the second half with a two-man advantage after Marcus Holman and Thomas Wood were flagged for slashing and a cross check, respectively, as Wickham was advancing the ball.  The Mids, however, failed to capitalize as starting defenseman Kieran McDonald forced a Dabbs turnover.

Navy was able to get the ball right back, however, as UNC’s Mark McNeill coughed up the ball.  Just minutes later, the Mids pushed their lead to 7-3 thanks to an unassisted goal by sophomore midfielder Pat Durkin (Germantown, Md.), his second marker of the contest.  UNC, though, would answer when Princeton transfer Jack McBride found Joey Sankey sitting on crease for the Tar Heels’ fourth goal of the game.

Senior faceoff specialist Logan West (Berlin, Md.) won the ensuing faceoff and Navy proceeded to hold onto the ball, meticulously looking for a quality shot for nearly three minutes.  The Mids were stingy with their shots throughout the third and fourth quarters, taking caution of making any unforced errors.

“In the first half we wanted to control the tempo,” said first-year Navy head coach Rick Sowell.  “We weren’t afraid to attack the goal, but we wanted to be sure we had quality possession.  In the third quarter, I think we went a little too far the other way.

“We weren’t necessarily trying to shorten the game, we were just working for quality possessions.  We were trying not to be reckless.  At the same time, you have to give credit to North Carolina whose defense was outstanding in the second half.”

Carolina got to within two at the 3:17 mark in the third quarter when it utilized its man-advantage and Pat Foster used a stick face to bounce one in against Wickham.

It was Navy, however, that looked to take the momentum into the final quarter, as the Mids capitalized on a gutsy play by Dabbs with under five seconds to go in the third.  With the ball loose, Dabbs came up with the possession on the far midline and was able to get it to teammate Tucker Hull (Charlotte, N.C.) before getting obliterated by a handful of UNC players.  Hull grabbed the ball at the top of the box and quickly found fellow attackman Sam Jones (Annapolis, Md.) cutting, sticking the shot past Carolina keeper Steven Rastivo and getting the fans on their feet.

Despite the hometown fan encouragement, North Carolina came to life in the fourth quarter, scoring a game-high four goals and relying upon its veterans to rally the Tar Heels’ way back into the game.  UNC’s leading scorer Davey Emala was held without a goal until the 12:12 mark in the fourth when he took advantage of a failed clear by the Mids.  Although the Mids double-teamed Emala, he was able to thread his shot in past Wickham.

The Mids had a chance to answer back when at the 9:38 mark UNC’s Tyler Morton was flagged for a 30-second push.  Navy sophomore midfielder Erik Hoffstadt (Dover, Del.) fired off a hard shot from roughly 10 yards out that would ricochet off the cross bar and go out of play.

Hoffstadt’s shot was the Mids’ lone shot of the fourth quarter, as the Tar Heels outshot Navy, 15-1.

Meanwhile, Wood, who sat out Carolina’s first three games of the season with an injury, scored two of the Tar Heels’ final three goals of the game, while Holman, an All-American, scored the equalizer with 4:33 remaining in the contest.

Wood led the way for the Tar Heels with his three goals, while Holman scored two goals and added four assists.  Keenan won 18 of the game’s 20 faceoffs and picked up 11 ground balls.

Dabbs led the Midshipmen with his first-collegiate hat trick, while Jones scored a goal and added a pair of assists and Hull pitched in three assists.  Reynolds and Durkin each finished with a pair of goals, while Hoffstadt turned in an assist.

Defensively, Wickham provided the necessary spark in goal, making eight first-half saves and 12 total on the day, while senior Ian Crumley (Oakton, Va.) and junior Jay Christopher (Winston-Salem, N.C.) filled in nicely on defense for the short-handed Mids.

Sowell sat eight players for violating team rules, including starting defenseman Nik Mullen (Wading River, N.Y.), while the Mids were already without starting long pole Pat Kiernan (Ridgewood, N.J.), who broke his hand two weeks ago.

“We had a few guys who let their teammates down and as a result were suspended for this game,” said Sowell.  “This is about the team, about the program and holding players accountable.

“I feel good about what’s ahead of us,” added Sowell.  “For whatever reason we didn’t play well last weekend and I don’t have an answer for that.  But if we can play like we did today, I think there are a lot of wins out there for us.  We have to continue to work hard and hopefully the ball will bounce our way the next time.”

The Midshipmen will be back in action next Saturday when they open Patriot League action and play host Bucknell.  Faceoff is slated for 12:00 pm at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Game Preview
• After dropping a tough 13-7 decision to Jacksonville a week ago at the Moe’s Southwest Grill Classic in Florida, Navy returns home Saturday to play host to nationally-ranked (4/5) North Carolina … the Mids are looking to avenge last year’s two-goal loss (10-8) against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill … the 27th edition of the Navy-Carolina series is set for a 12:00 pm faceoff at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
• The Mids are coming off a frustrating loss that saw Jacksonville score six second-quarter goals and take an 8-2 lead into the half … while the Mids clipped the lead to 10-7 with 14 minutes to play in the game, the Dolphins’ defense would be stout and the offense would be accurate in dealing Navy its first loss of 2012.
• Ten different players pitched in goals to lead North Carolina an 18-8 victory over Detroit last Saturday in Chapel Hill … the Tar Heels owned an 8-3 lead at the half, but an eight-goal third period put the game out of reach as UNC improved to 3-0 on the season.

Taking the Field In …
10    Navy has lost just five games (47-5) when scoring 10 or more goals since the start of the 2004 season … Navy is 1-0 this season when achieving that feat.
9    Over the last 13 Navy-Carolina meetings, the winning teams has scored nine or more goals 12 times with the one exception being the 2008 NCAA Tournament contest that Navy won, 8-7.
8    Navy scored eight goals against the Tar Heels a year ago … four of the five players who accounted for the eight goals return this year and three of the four are sophomores – Tucker Hull (2), Sam Jones (2), Taylor Reynolds (2) and Harrison Chaires (1).
7    Seven different players have provided points for the Mids this season … Tucker Hull, Sam Jones and Pat Durkin have scored goals in both contests.
6    Sophomore attackman Tucker Hull has recorded six hat tricks in his 15-game Navy career, including two this season … he led the Mids with six goals against VMI in the opener on Feb. 11 … it’s the most goals by a Navy player since Taylor Harris scored six against Holy Cross on March 26, 2006.
5    Sophomore attackman Sam Jones pushed his point scoring streak to six-straight games after scoring a goal against Jacksonville last Sunday … he opened the season with  a remarkable nine-point (5-4) effort against VMI … it’s the most points scored by a Navy player since Dennis Nealon produced 12 points against Washington College  on March 20, 1991.
4    Four of Navy’s 2012 opponents are ranked in the 2012 USILA Coaches Preseason Poll – Johns Hopkins (3), North Carolina (4), Maryland (7), Colgate (20), while Army, Bucknell, Towson and Jacksonville are receiving votes.
3    This is the third-straight year in which Navy and Johns Hopkins have faced one another on Feb. 25.
2    In each of Navy’s two games this season, the opponent has scored two goals on two shots on goal.
1    Over the last four seasons, 22 (9-13) of the Mids’ 62 contests have been decided by one goal.

Carolina Ties
• Carolina rookie attackman Jimmy Bitter is the younger brother of former Navy lacrosse standout and 2009 graduate Matt Bitter.
• Navy junior defensive midfielder Jordan Seivold grew up with Carolina Blue running through his veins … his father, Joe, was a four-time All-American lacrosse player at UNC during the mid-80s, earning first-team honors in 1984 and `85 … his uncle, Gary, was a three-time All-American who was named the MVP of the 1986 NCAA Championship in which North Carolina won … his older brother, Johnny, was a midfielder for Carolina from 2001-04 … meanwhile, his mother, Joan, was an All-American soccer player for the Tar Heels and won two national championships … Jordan grew up in Chapel Hill and also lived in Efland before moving to Minneapolis, Minn. in his eighth-grade year.

More on the Tar Heels
• In his fourth season as head coach, Joe Breschi has his fourth-ranked Tar Heels off and running with a 3-0 record … North Carolina opened the season with a 14-10 victory over then 17th-ranked Penn State and followed up with a 20-7 victory over Mercer and an 18-8 win over Detroit.
• As one of the most proficient offenses in the country, North Carolina is averaging 17.3 goals per game, while the defense is giving up 8.3 goals per outing.
• Seventeen different players have accounted for the Tar Heels’ 52 goals, including the attack combination of Davey Emala and Jimmy Bitter who are leading the team with seven goals apiece.
• Sophomore midfielder Pat Foster has dealt out a team-high five assists to complement his three goals this season … two of his three goals, meanwhile, have been scored on extra-man offense.
• The Tar Heels have been without two of their top three scorers from a year ago … both Nicky Galasso (So., A) and Thomas Wood (Sr., A) have been sidelined with injuries … Galasso was the nation’s top-scoring freshman a year ago with 56 points on 24 goals and 32 assists, while Wood produced 34 points (21-13).
• Sophomore R.G. Keenan is one of the nation’s top faceoff specialist … he has won 48 of the 61 draws (78.7) to date and has scooped up a team-high 18 ground balls.
• Redshirt junior goalkeeper Steve Rastivo has surrendered 19 of the 25 goals and owns an 8.44 goals-against average … meanwhile, he has made 30 saves for a 61.2 save percentage.
• The Tar Heels own a staggering 146-89 advantage (+57) in ground balls, thanks in part to the faceoff play.

Series History
• North Carolina holds a slight 14-12 series lead over the Mids … after Navy put together a five-game winning streak (2003-07) over UNC, the Tar Heels have now won four of the last five including each of the last three.
• The Mids hold an 8-4 edge in games played in Annapolis, winning three of the last four … UNC, however, dealt Navy a seven-goal loss (11-4) in its last trip to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on this exact date two years ago.
• In terms of regular-season meetings, Navy has won six of the last nine.
• Seven of the last 13 games in the series have been decided by one goal.
• The two teams had met every year during the regular season since 1996, however a scheduling glitch in `08 prevented them from their annual contest … ironically, the two teams would end up meeting in the `08 NCAA Tournament with the Mids scoring an 8-7 win.

2011 Navy-North Carolina Recap
• No. 12 North Carolina scored four of the game’s final five goals to secure a 10-8 victory over Navy at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill.  A typical Navy-North Carolina duel, fans were treated to an up-and-down game that featured five ties, including three in the second half of play.
• Both teams put together impressive runs in the opening half of play, including four-straight goals by the Midshipmen that was spearheaded by freshman attackman Tucker Hull, who netted Navy’s first goal of the game with just 16 ticks remaining in the opening period.  Freshmen Sam Jones and Harrison Chaires, along with senior Andy Warner would all punch in goals for the Mids as Navy built a 4-1 advantage with 7:22 remaining in the first half.
• Carolina sliced into the lead on a pretty play from senior attackman Billy Bitter just 32 seconds later.  However, Navy took a 5-2 advantage with under six to go when a save by junior keeper RJ Wickham led to a fantastic transition goal by the Mids.  Wickham sent his outlet pass to second-year defensive midfielder Jordan Seivold who was off to the races.  Sprinting from end to end, he found Jones who targeted a long shot from the left corner.
• North Carolina, though, found a hot stick thanks to freshman faceoff specialist R.G. Keenan who was near perfect on the evening.  He kept generating possession for the Tar Heels and over the course of one minute and 30 seconds, the Tar Heels scored three goals and knotted up the game at 5-5.  The equalizer came from defenseman Ryan Flanagan, who sent his shot right through Wickham’s legs.
• Navy wasted little time in breaking the tie coming out of intermission, as Jones perfectly threaded his pass from behind the goal to junior attackman Taylor Reynolds who, despite being triple teamed, fired in his point-blank shot.
• The Mids’ lead would be short-lived, however, as middie Jimmy Dunster’s shot on the run managed to catch the inside post, tying the game for the third time at 6-6.
• A resilient Navy team fought back to take the lead for a final time in the game when a slide to Warner resulted in an uncovered Hull, who scored for the second time in the game on a two-yarder at the 12:35 mark.
• The Mids held the lead for the better part of four minutes, but Carolina rookie Nicky Galasso began taking control of the game, fueling the Tar Heels.  First he found Dunan Hutchins cutting in from the left side of the crease to tie the game and then he took a pass from Will Campbell and snuck it past Wickham on a lefty low to low shot.  Galasso’s goal at 7:57 in the third was North Carolina’s first lead since scoring the game-opening goal.
• Nearly three minutes later, midfielder Jay Mann sent a hard shot that would be deflected back into play by Carolina keeper Chris Madalon.  Reynolds scooped up the ball and spun around to pocket his second goal of the contest and send the game into its fifth tie.
• Following a Navy timeout with two minutes to play in the third quarter, middie Pat Foster gave the Tar Heels the lead for good, when he sent a 10-yard shot from a tough angle on the left wing in past Wickham.
• Flanagan provided the insurance goal just six seconds into the final quarter, picking up the ball off a faceoff win by the Heels and firing it in for his second goal of the evening.
• The Tar Heels dominated the game in almost every category, including winning 18 of the 22 faceoffs.  Meanwhile, they owned a 40-28 advantage in shots and a 42-23 edge in ground balls.  Neither team scored an extra-man goal, including the Mids who were 0 for 4.

Navy Vs. The ACC
• The Mids own a 100-94-1 (51.5) record against the four-member Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
• Navy has faced all four teams multiple times, including long-standing rivalries with Maryland and North Carolina.
• Navy, who trails North Carolina 14-12 in its series, has faced the Tar Heels every year since 1996 … the series first began in 1975.
• The Mids, who battle Maryland on April 6 in College Park, have faced the Terps 86 times and have played one another every year since 1946 … the series first began in 1924.
• Virginia owns a 31-18 advantage over Navy with the two last meeting in the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2005.
• Navy leads the series with Duke, 24-10, last meeting in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

Jacksonville 13, Navy 7 — A Look Back
• Jacksonville outscored Navy 6-1 in the second quarter to put the game out of reach for the Mids, as the Dolphins dealt Navy a 13-7 loss last Sunday in the second game of the Moe’s Southwest Grill Classic played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
• Navy never held the lead in the game, as Jacksonville took a 2-0 lead right out of the gates.
• Although the final score would not reflect it, Navy dominated Jacksonville in nearly every statistical category — shots 42-24, ground balls 36-18, faceoffs 15-9, turnovers 12-20, caused turnovers 12-3.
• One category Jacksonville did lead was saves … Peter DeLuca came up with 17 saves, while Navy’s RJ Wickham and Nolan Hickey combined for just six saves … Wickham was replaced by Hickey at the half in what was Hickey’s first collegiate appearance.
• Navy senior faceoff specialist Logan West won 15 of the 24 draws he took against the Dolphins … in doing so, he became just the fourth player in program history to reach the 200-win milestone for his career.
• Sophomore attackman Tucker Hull paced the Mids with three goals, marking the second-consecutive game in which he has pitched a hat trick … he opened the season with a six-goal effort against VMI.
• Sophomore attackman Sam Jones extended his point scoring streak to six straight games dating back to last year’s Georgetown games, scoring a goal against the Dolphins.
• Junior close defenseman Austin Miller replaced an injured Pat Kiernan on the wing of faceoffs, picking up a career-high six ground balls.
• Junior Jay Christopher made his first-career start on defense.

Navy Men’s Lacrosse Team Falls To Jacksonville, 13-7

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—T.J. Kenary scored four goals and added an assist, while Donovan Lang added two goals and two assists as Jacksonville (1-1) defeated Navy (1-1), 13-7, Sunday afternoon in the Moe’s Southwest Grille Classic at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.  Jacksonville goalie Peter DeLuca was strong in the cage for the Dolphins with 17 saves.

“Obviously we didn’t get what we came down for,” said Navy head men’s lacrosse coach Rick Sowell. “At the end of the day, Jacksonville just played better than us.”

Navy dominated the game statistically as the Mids outshot the Dolphins 42-24, had 36 ground balls to Jacksonville’s 18, won 15 of the 24 face-offs, committed just 12 turnovers while forcing 20 turnovers and converted all 15 clear attempts.

Statistics, however, can be deceiving at times as only 24 of Navy’s 42 shots were on goal and the majority of the shots that were on goal ended up being easy saves for DeLuca.  The Mids were also 0-4 on extra-man opportunities and are now 0-8 on the year.

On the defensive end of the field, Navy goalies R.J. Wickham (30 minutes, 4 saves, 8 goals allowed) and Nolan Hickey (30 minutes, 2 saves, 5 goals allowed) combined for just six saves while giving up 13 goals.  The Navy defense was also hampered by the absence of defensive longstick midfielder Pat Kiernan, who was out with a broken hand.

Navy trailed 10-4 late in the third quarter before scoring three quick goals, one at the end of the third quarter by Bryce Dabbs and two to start the fourth quarter by Tucker Hull and Pat Durkin, to cut the Jacksonville lead in half at 10-7.  The Mids had several opportunities to get even closer, but poor shot selected doomed the comeback bid.

“We had our opportunities today, we just didn’t take advantage of them,” said Sowell. “There was a sense of urgency to get shots off, but unfortunately some of those shots weren’t very good.”

Hull led the Midshipmen with three goals, while Durkin scored twice.  Sam Jones and Dabbs each had a single tally.  All seven of Navy’s goals were unassisted.

“We put ourselves in a hole by coming out and turning the ball over early and those turnovers led to goals,” said Sowell.  “I thought we settled down after that, but we just could never get things going our way.”

Navy will be back in action on Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium when they take on the No. 6 North Carolina Tar Heels (3-0) at 12 noon.

Game Data

Loyola University Maryland opens its 73rd season of men’s lacrosse on Saturday, February 18, 2012, when it hosts the University of Delaware at 1 o’clock.

The game will also mark the start of the third season of play for the Greyhounds at Ridley Athletic Complex.

Series History

The Greyhounds and Blue Hens will meet for the 29th time on the lacrosse field but the first time in nearly a decade. Loyola last played Delaware on February 22, 2003, a 9-6 victory by the Greyhounds on their former home pitch, Curley Field.

Loyola leads the all-time series between the teams, 21-6-1. The Blue Hens won six of the first 10 meetings between the teams, but the Greyhounds have won each of the last 18 games.

In The Polls

Loyola is receiving votes in both the USILA Coaches and Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Polls. Delaware, meanwhile, checks in at No. 19 in the USILA preseason rankings and is also receiving votes in the media version.

Greyhounds Picked Second In ECAC

The Greyhounds were picked to finish second in the ECAC Lacrosse Leagues by the head coaches of their peer schools. Loyola received 54 points in the poll, trailing only Denver University which had 61.

Preseason Honors For Pair

Junior attack Mike Sawyer and junior long-stick midfielder Scott Ratliff were both named to the Preseason All-ECAC Team by the conference’s coaches. Sawyer led the Greyhounds in points and goals last season, while Ratliff topped the squad in caused turnovers.

Sawyer was also named to the Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-America Honorable Mention last month.

Scorers Back

Mike Sawyer returns in 2012 as the team’s leading scorer after finishing last year with 31 goals and five assists for 36 points. He took 124 shots during the 2011 season, 59 more than anyone else on the team.

The Greyhounds also welcome back one of their top scorers from two seasons ago. Eric Lusby, who will play as a graduate student this year, returns to the lineup after missing all but two games last year following a knee injury in the 2010 NCAA Championships. Lusby scored 20 goals and assisted on five from the Greyhounds’ midfield in 2010.

Two other players who scored 10 or more goals a year ago are back in 2012 for the Greyhounds Patrick Fanshaw returns after tallying 12 goals, six of the extra-man variety, last season, and Davis Butts is also back after tallying 10 goals and five assists.

Transfer Talent

Loyola’s midfield will be bolstered by the addition of two transfer student-athletes that have joined the program. Juniors Chris Layne and Sean O’Sullivan will suit up for the Greyhounds after spending previous seasons at North Carolina and Army, respectively.

Layne, who is the younger brother of former Loyola All-American Steve Layne, scored five goals as a sophomore on the Tar Heels’ second midfield after playing in 15 games  as a short-stick midfielder during his first season in Chapel Hill.

O’Sullivan played two seasons at West Point, scoring 16 goals as a midfielder in 2010.  He earned All-Patriot League Second Team honors following his sophomore season, as well.

Experienced Defense

The Greyhounds return two starters on close defense, their top two long-stick midfielders and top three short-stick defensive middies in 2012, forming a cohesive group on the defensive end of the field.

Senior co-captain Dylan Grimm is joined on defense by another returning starter, junior Reid Acton. Grimm finished his first year as a starter, 2011, with 22 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers, while Acton tallied 19 and 15, also in his first season as a starter.

The duo is joined by sophomore Joe Fletcher who played in 13 games and started one as a freshman. Fletcher saw considerable time as an extra-man and fourth defender for the Greyhounds a year ago.

Scott Ratliff and Kevin Moriarity created a formidable long-stick midfield duo last year, combining for 50 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers. Ratliff also added three goals and three assists on the offensive end of the field.

Josh Hawkins, Pat Laconi and Kyle Duffy return as short-stick middies for the Greyhounds  after each saw action in all 13 games last year.

New Look In Goal

Loyola will feature a new starter in goal this season after 2011 graduate Jake Hagelin started 53 of the Greyhounds’ last 55 games since taking over between the pipes at the start his freshman season in 2008.

A pair of goalkeepers are likely to see the field for the Greyhounds to start the season, as they have split time throughout practice and scrimmages. Junior Michael Bonitatibus and sophomore Jack Runkel both made their collegiate debuts last year against Duke and will anchor Loyola’s defense from inside the crease.

Record At Ridley

Loyola will open its third season at Ridley Athletic Complex when it plays Delaware where the Greyhounds have experienced considerable success on Awalt Field.

Loyola is 8-3 in 11 home games at Ridley after going 4-1 last season at home.

Second Half Scoring

Loyola outscored its opponents 69-52 after halftime last season (including two overtime goals) despite being outscored 54-39 in the first halves of games.

The Greyhounds scored 34 third-quarter goals to their opponents’ 27. In 2010, they outscored opponents 41-24 in the third quarters of games and 76-55 overall after halftime.

Maryland (14-9, 4-5) at #10/9 Duke (20-4, 7-2)
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2012 | 4 p.m. | Durham, N.C. (Cameron Indoor Stadium)
ESPN / ESPN3 | Terrapin Sports Radio Network

Johnny Rhodes Named An ACC Tournament Legend

Former Maryland guard one of 12 players selected to 2012 class

    GREENSBORO, N.C.— Johnny Rhodes, one of the most versatile players in Atlantic Coast Conference history, who helped lead Maryland back to national prominence in the mid-1990’s, has been selected to the 2012 class of ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Legends.

    The 12-man class was announced Tuesday by Commissioner John Swofford and includes a member of the ACC’s 50^th Anniversary basketball team, a National Player of the Year, three former All-Americas, six former All-ACC selections, ten former NBA Draft selections – including six first-round selections – and eight players who combined for 38 years of NBA experience.

    Rhodes, a native of Washington, D.C., is the ACC’s career steals leader and helped Maryland make three NCAA Tournament appearances in his four-year career. He is the only player in ACC history to score over 1,700 points (1,743) with over 700 rebounds (704), 400 assists (437) and 300 steals (344).

    Joining Rhodes in the class are former Wake Forest All-America Randolph Childress (Washington, D.C.), who led the Deacons to the 1995 ACC Championship, and former North Carolina All-America Kenny Smith (Queens, N.Y.), who led the Tar Heels to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and was named the National Player of the Year by Basketball Times in 1987.

    Also in the class are Boston College’s John Bagley (Stratford, Conn.), who was named a third-team (NABC) All-America in 1982; Clemson’s Sharone Wright (Macon, Ga.), a powerful post player for the Tigers who earned All-ACC honors in 1993 and 1994; Duke’s Kenny Dennard (King, N.C.), one of the key cogs of the Blue Devils 1978 Final Four team who helped lead Duke to ACC titles in 1978 and 1980; Florida State’s James Collins (Jacksonville, Fla), a high-scoring wingman who was a three-time All-ACC selection in 1995, 1996 and 1997; Georgia Tech’s Malcolm Mackey (Chattanooga, Tenn.), a powerful post player who helped lead Georgia Tech to ACC Championships in 1990 and 1993.

    Completing this year’s ACC Legends Class are Miami’s Ron Godfrey (Coral Springs, Fla.), an Honorable Mention All-America forward for the Hurricanes in the 1960’s who also served as head coach for four seasons; NC State’s Todd Fuller (Charlotte, N.C.), a prodigious presence in the paint for the Wolfpack who earned All-ACC honors in 1994, 1995, and 1996; Virginia’s Lee Raker (Louisville, Ky.), a versatile forward who helped lead the Cavaliers to the 1981 NCAA Final Four; and Virginia Tech’s Dale Solomon (Annapolis, Md.), a high-scoring forward who helped lead the Hokies to two NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT berth.

   The Legends will be honored at this year’s ACC’s Men’s Basketball Tournament at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga., March 8-11. They will be feted at the annual ACC Legends Brunch, which will be held Saturday, March 10, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel, and, later that day, will be introduced to the Philips Arena crowd at halftime of the first semifinal game. Ticket information for the ACC Legends Brunch is available on the ACC website at theACC.com.

   Rhodes (1992-96), the ACC’s career leader in steals, started four seasons for coach Gary Williams at Maryland, leading the Terrapins back to national prominence. An extremely versatile guard who played point or wing guard, Rhodes is the only player in ACC history to score over 1,700 points (1,743) with over 700 rebounds (704), 400 assists (437) and 300 steals (344). He helped the Terrapins post a 73-49 overall record during his four seasons in College Park, including three straight (1994, 95, 96) appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He was named to the 1993 ACC All-Freshman team, then earned 3^rd-team All-ACC honors as a junior and 2^nd-team All-ACC accolades as a senior in 1996. He still holds the ACC career record for steals per game (2.82), and his 110 steals and 3.7 steals per game in 1996 are still league standards. He totaled 704 rebounds in his career, the third-best mark by an ACC backcourtman, trailing only Georgia Tech’s Bruce Dalrymple (744) and Florida State’s Bob Sura (714). A native of Washington, D.C., Rhodes owns his own construction firm, Rhodes Construction, in the D.C. area, and is working towards starting the Johnny Rhodes Foundation.

   Bagley (1979-82), one of the top playmaking guards in Boston College history, played three seasons for the Eagles for Coach Dr. Tom Davis and led BC to a 64-27 record and one NIT and two NCAA tournament appearances. The first Eagle to earn Big East Player of the Year honors (1980-81), Bagley was an explosive scorer who averaged nearly 18 points per game and led BC in scoring in each of his three seasons at the Heights. A two-time All-Big East selection, he averaged 20.4 points per game in leading the Eagles to the 1980-81 Big East regular-season championship and the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. The following year, Bagley upped his production to 21.1 points per game and led BC to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight. He was named to the NCAA all-tournament teams for both the 1981 Mideast Regional and the 1982 Midwest Regional. Bagley left BC after his junior season and was the 12^th overall pick in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1982 NBA Draft. He enjoyed an 11-year career in the NBA for the Cavaliers, the New Jersey Nets, the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks. Inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995, he currently resides in Stratford, Conn., and is working to reintroduce athletics into the middle school system of his hometown, Bridgeport, Conn.

   Wright (1991-94), a dominating 6-11 presence in the low post for the teams of Coach Cliff Ellis in the early 1990’s, still ranks 5^th on the ACC’s career list for blocked shots per game (3.13). An Honorable Mention All-America (AP) in 1994, he was one of 20 nominees for the Naismith Award that year. He led the ACC in blocked shots in 1992 and 1993 and finished 3^rd in 1994. He ranked 6^th on the Clemson career list for rebounds and 4^th in rebounds per game. He still holds the Clemson single-season record for blocked shots (124) and was the only player in the ACC to average in double figures in points and rebounds in both 1994 and 1995. Named a Freshman All-America by Basketball Weekly in 1992, he was named a 3^rd-team All-ACC selection in 1993 and 2^nd-team honors in 1994. As a member of the U.S. team which participated in the 1993 World Games, he shot 73 percent from the field and averaged 10 points a game in leading the U.S. to the gold medal. He was the first Clemson player to declare early for the NBA Draft and was the 6th overall selection on the first round of the 1994 draft by the Philadelphia 76’ers. He played five seasons in the NBA with Philadelphia and Toronto and was named to the 1994-95 NBA All-Rookie team. His NBA career was cut short by a severe auto accident early in his fifth professional season. Wright currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., where he is involved in various basketball coaching projects.

   Dennard (1978-81), a versatile 6-8 forward who was effective inside or outside for the Duke teams of Bill Foster and Mike Krzyzewski of the late 1970’s and early ‘80s, helped lead Duke to the 1978 NCAA Final Four and two ACC Championships in 1978 and 1980. Dennard helped the Blue Devils compile a 90-37 record in his four seasons in Durham, including three NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT berth. He was named to the 1978 ACC All-Tournament second team in his freshman season. Dennard played three seasons for Bill Foster (1978-80) and one for Mike Krzyzewski and was named team captain in his senior season. Drafted in the 4^th round of the 1981 NBA Draft by Kansas City, he played three seasons in the NBA for Kansas City (1982-83) and Denver (1984). He finished his career shooting 51.3 percent from the field and is one of seven Duke players who have totaled over 1,000 points (1,057), 650 rebounds (671) and 200 assists (232) in his career. A native of King, N.C., Dennard is the managing partner at Dennard, Rupp, Gray and Lascar, an investor relations firm based in Houston, Texas. He will be a 30-year cancer survivor this coming September and has served on the Coaches vs. Cancer National Council since 1996. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Nadine, for 27 years and they have a son, Mason (17).

    Collins (1993-97), a high-scoring wing guard for the Florida State teams of Pat Kennedy, was a three-time All-ACC honoree. Collins was named 3^rd-team All-ACC in 1995 and 1996 and garnered 2^nd-team honors as a senior in 1997. That year he led Florida State to a 20-12 record and to the finals of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) where they lost to Michigan. He completed his career as the third leading scorer in school history with 1,793 points. He also still ranks in the FSU all-time Top 10 for field goals (645), field goal attempts, three-point field goals made (255) and three-point field goals attempted (686) and made 37.1 percent of his shots from three-point range. Collins was drafted as the 36^th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2^nd round of the 1997 NBA Draft. He played one season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers (1998) and spent one year (1999) in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) before playing professionally nine seasons in Europe. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., he currently is the head basketball coach at his high school alma mater, Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville.

   Mackey (1990-93), Georgia Tech’s all-time leading rebounder who was a low post force for the Jackets both offensively and defensively, helped lead the Tech to a four-year record of 87-43 which included four NCAA Tournament appearances. Mackey completed his career with 1,205 rebounds, a total which ranks 11^th-best in ACC history. He also had 199 career blocked shots, which ranks 26^th on the ACC career list.  Mackey was named 2^nd-team All-ACC in 1993 and 3rd-team All-ACC  in 1992. An Honorable Mention All-America in 1993 by United Press International, he was also a 2nd-team All-District in 1993 by the NABC. Mackey remains Tech’s career leader in rebounds (1,205), games played (130) and games started (127). He was named to the ACC All-Tournament teams in 1990 (3rd team) and 1992 (2nd team). He is the only Tech player to start for two ACC championship teams (1990,1993). The 27^th overall pick in the first-round of the 1993 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, he played one season in the NBA and 11 seasons professionally in the CBA, Europe, China and Puerto Rico. A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., he currently is the Internet Sales Manager at Hennessey GMC Buick and is also serving as a landlord for several properties in McDonough, Ga.

   Godfrey (1958-61), one of the finest forwards to play at Miami, was an honorable mention All-America as a senior in 1961. He finished his career ranked in the Top Ten in seven career categories in the Miami record book including 7^th in points (1,384), 7^th in field goals made (518), 6^th in free throws made (384) and 7^th in rebounds (767). Godfrey’s totals of 159 free throws made and 207 free throws attempted in 1960 still rank 5^th and 6^th in the Hurricane career lists. His total of 22 made free throws against Oklahoma City in 1960 is still tied with Rick Barry for the most made in a game by a Miami player. For his career, he averaged 17.5 points a game. Playing alongside former Miami All-America Dick Hickox, Godfrey helped lead the Hurricanes to their first-ever NCAA tournament bid in 1960 as the Canes finished with a sparkling 23-4 record. In his senior year, Godfrey led Miami to a 20-7 mark and a berth in the National Invitation Tournament. In his three varsity seasons, Godfrey helped the Hurricanes to a 61-18 record. As a coach, he guided Miami for four seasons, leading the Hurricanes to championships in the 1967 Hurricane Classic and the 1968 Marshall Tournament and was inducted into the Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. A native of Martins Ferry, Ohio, he now resides in Coral Springs, Fla.

   Smith (1983-87), one of the top point guards in North Carolina basketball history, Smith ended his career second in ACC history only to Wake Forest’s Muggsy Bogues in career assists with 768, averaging 6.1 per for each of his 127 career games. His assist total still ranks ninth on the ACC’s career list.  Coached by the legendary Dean Smith, he helped lead North Carolina to a 115-19 record during his four varsity seasons. Smith also helped North Carolina to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Elite Eight in both 1985 and 1987. He was named the National Player of the Year by Basketball Times in 1987 and also earned consensus first-team All-America honors that year. He was a 2^nd-team All-ACC honoree in 1985 and 1986 and earned first-team honors as a senior in 1987. The 6^th pick in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, he played 11 seasons in the NBA for Sacramento, Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Orlando and Denver. A member of the 1988 NBA All-Rookie team while with Sacramento, he was a part of two NBA Championship squads (1994, 1995) while with the Houston Rockets. He scored 9,397 points (12.9 avg.), grabbed 1,424 rebounds (2.0 avg.) and passed out 4,073 assists (5.5 avg.) during his NBA career. In 1998, he joined Turner Sports and has since served as a basketball TV analyst for Turner Sports, NBA TV and CBS-TV for the NBA and for the NCAA Basketball Tournament. A native of Queens, N.Y. who attended Archbishop Molloy High School, he now resides in Atlanta, Ga.

   Fuller (1992-96), a strong low-post presence for the NC State teams of coach Les Robinson in the mid-1990s, led the ACC in scoring as a senior in 1996, averaging 20.9 points per game. The 6-11 center finished 4^th in the ACC in rebounding in 1995 and 5^th in 1996. He earned first-team All-ACC honors in as a senior in 1996 and was a third team choice as a sophomore (1994) and a second-team selection as a junior (1995). Also an excellent student, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from NC State in 1996 in Applied Mathematics. He was named to the All-ACC Academic team in each of his four seasons and he was a two-time first-team Academic All-America, earning that honor in 1995 and 1996. He declined to accept the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in order to play professional basketball. He was the 11^th overall pick in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors and went on to play five seasons in the NBA with Golden State, Utah, Charlotte and Miami. He also played professionally six seasons in Spain, Poland, Greece and Australia. He sponsors an annual mathematics competition for Raleigh, N.C., area high school students through NC State, called the “Todd Fuller Math Competition.” He also has a scholarship fund arranged through the NC State Physical and Mathematical Sciences college. In 2007, the Wolfpack honored him by hanging his jersey, number 52, from the roof of the RBC Center.

   Raker (1977-81) combined with high school teammate Jeff Lamp and Virginia All-America Ralph Sampson to lead Virginia to two of the most successful seasons in school history in 1980 and 1981 for coach Terry Holland. An excellent shooter, defender and passer, Raker helped lead the Cavaliers to a 24-10 record which included the championship of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1980. UVa followed that up with a 29-4 record in 1981, including a 13-1 mark in the ACC and first place during the regular season. UVa advanced to the NCAA Final Four, garnering 3^rd-place national honors with a win over LSU in the consolation game. At one point, Raker helped the Cavaliers win eight consecutive post-season games, still a school record. Virginia finished the 1981 campaign ranked 5^th in the final AP poll and 3^rd in UPI. During his four collegiate seasons,  Raker helped lead Virginia to a 92-32 overall record, averaging in double figures in scoring each year, and shooting 50.3 percent from the field for his collegiate career. He completed his career with 1,423 points, which still ranks 20th on Virginia’s career scoring list. He also led the 1979 squad in field goal percentage and was named a 2^nd-team All-ACC selection that year. An excellent student, Raker was twice named to the All-ACC Academic Basketball squad (1980, 1981) and earned first-team Academic All-America honors in 1981. He was selected in the 4^th round of the 1981 NBA Draft by San Diego. A native of Louisville, Ky., he is now the Head of Investor Relations with Camber Capital Management LLC and lives in the Boston, Mass. area.

   Solomon (1978-82), one of the best basketball players in Virginia Tech history, was a 6-9 center-forward who combined power with a soft shooting touch. He helped the Tech teams of Charlie Moir to a four-year record of 78-41 which included two NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT berth. Solomon led Tech in scoring in each of his four  seasons and ended his career with 2,136 points which still ranks 4^th on the Hokies’ career scoring list. Solomon’s career scoring average (18.4) is Tech’s 9th best. His career field goal percentage of .567 is the second best in Tech history and his 856 career rebounds rank 7th. He was named to the first-team All-Metro Conference in each of his four seasons. Solomon was named the Metro Conference Tournament MVP and Freshman of the Year in 1979, leading the Hokies to the Metro Conference championship. Solomon was selected in the 3^rd round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but did not play in the NBA. He did play professionally in Italy for 12 seasons. A native of Annapolis, Md., Solomon is currently living in his hometown.

   Childress (1991-95) turned in one of the spectacular performances in the history of the ACC Tournament in his senior season, as the sharpshooting guard led Wake Forest to the 1995 ACC Championship by averaging 35.7 points and 7 assists per game in the Tournament’s three contests. That year, Childress, playing for coach Dave Odom, saved his best for last, scoring 37 points and passing out 7 assists. In that title game, he connected on the game-winning jump shot with only four seconds remaining in overtime as Wake defeated North Carolina, 82-80. For his efforts, he was named the winner of the Everett Case Award as the 1995 Tournament’s MVP. He also was named the winner of the McKevlin Award as the ACC’s Overall Athlete of the Year for the 1994-95 school year. A second-team All-America selection in 1995, he was named first-team All-ACC in 1994 and 1995 and 2^nd-team All-ACC in 1993. He scored 2,208 points during his career, which still ranks 18^th on the ACC ‘s career scoring list, and he made 329 three-point field goals, the 5^th-highest total in ACC history. He helped lead the Demon Deacons to a four-year record of 85-39 which included four appearances in the NCAA Tournament and two trips to the NCAA Sweet 16. He was twice named to the ACC All-Tournament team in 1994 and 1995. Childress ranked 3^rd in scoring in the ACC in 1993 and 1994 and finished 2^nd in 1994. Selected as the 19^th overall choice of the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft, he played two seasons in the NBA with Detroit and Portland. He then played 14 professional seasons in Turkey, France, Italy and Australia. In 2002, he was named to the ACC’s 50^th Anniversary Basketball Team as one of its Top 50 basketball players. A native of Washington, D.C., he recently returned to Winston-Salem to serve as an Assistant to the Athletic Director of Wake Forest.

LEGENDS BRUNCH

   The Legends will be honored at this year’s ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Atlanta at the annual ACC Basketball Legends Brunch, which will be held on Saturday, March 10 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Hosted by television personalities Tim Brant and Mike Hogewood, tickets for the ACC Men’s Basketball Legends Brunch are priced at $35 each and tables of ten are available for $350 each. Information on purchasing tickets may be obtained at the official ACC website—www.theACC.com/ACCtournament.

   2012 ACC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT LEGENDS ROSTER

   Name School Years Position Hometown (Current Hometown)

   John Bagley   Boston College 1979-82 Guard Bridgeport, Conn. (Stratford, Conn.)

   Sharone Wright Clemson 1991-94 Center Macon, Ga.  (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)

   Kenny Dennard Duke 1977-81 Forward King, N.C. (Houston, Texas)

   James Collins Florida State 1993-97 Guard Jacksonville, Fla.. (same) 

   Malcolm Mackey Georgia Tech 1989-93 Forward/Ctr. Chattanooga, Tenn. (McDonough, Ga.)

   Johnny Rhodes Maryland 1992-96 Guard Washington, D.C. (same )

   Ron Godfrey Miami 1958-61 Guard Martins Ferry, Ohio (Coral Springs, Fla.)

   Kenny Smith North Carolina 1983-87 Guard Queens, N.Y. (Atlanta, Ga.)

   Todd Fuller NC State 1992-96 Center Charlotte, N.C.. (same)

   Lee Raker Virginia 1977-81 Forward Louisville, Ky. (Boston, Mass.)

   Dale Solomon Virginia Tech 1978-82 Forward Annapolis, Md. (same)

   Randolph Childress Wake Forest 1991-95 Guard Washington, D.C. (Winston-Salem, N.C.)