http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/players/joe_willman/122138 Recent articles about Joe Willman en-us Bucknell made its run. Problem was, Butler responded with an even bigger one. Joe Willman had a career-high 20 points, and Cameron Ayers made two big 3-pointers during a 19-2 spurt that gave Bucknell a 6-point lead midway through the second half. But the Bison went nearly five minutes without scoring and had no choice but to foul Butler down the stretch in a 68-56 loss that was closer than the final score indicated. ''It doesn't feel good,'' Willman said. ''It just sort of hits you that that's your last game, the last time putting on a Bucknell uniform. It's unfortunate. It happens.'' At least the 11th-seeded Bison (28-6) can take comfort in the knowledge that, when Butler's involved, it happens a lot. Rotnei Clarke scored 11 of his 17 points in the last 8:44, including five at the free throw line. Andrew Smith, one of two starters left from the Butler teams that reached the 2010 and 2011 NCAA title games, had a double-double with a career-high 16 rebounds Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:20:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_cant_overcome_butler_run_fall_68_56/13201468 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_cant_overcome_butler_run_fall_68_56/13201468 Bucknell can't overcome Butler run, fall 68-56 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_cant_overcome_butler_run_fall_68_56/13201468 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Before Butler can move forward, it has a date with its past. Card-carrying members of the college basketball elite after joining the Big East on Wednesday, the sixth-seeded Bulldogs (26-8) are long removed from their days as the cute and cuddly upset specialists in the NCAA tournament. That role now belongs to the likes of Bucknell, which faces Butler in the NCAA tournament's East Region on Thursday. ''Butler really kind of set the gold standard, in my mind, for preparation and attention to detail and being the team that doesn't beat itself,'' Bucknell coach Dave Paulsen said. ''That's kind of how we've tried to model our program.'' Gonzaga may have been the first ''small school'' to make a dent in the stranglehold the power conferences had on the tournament. It was Butler, however, that turned it into a free for all by reaching the NCAA title game in both 2010 and 2011. No, Butler didn't win it all - though it came close to knocking off Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:35:31 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/butler_sees_bit_of_self_in_game_against_bucknell/13192105 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/butler_sees_bit_of_self_in_game_against_bucknell/13192105 Butler sees bit of self in game against Bucknell http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/butler_sees_bit_of_self_in_game_against_bucknell/13192105 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Before Butler can move forward, it has a date with its past. Card-carrying members of the college basketball elite after joining the Big East on Wednesday, the sixth-seeded Bulldogs (26-8) are long removed from their days as the cute and cuddly upset specialists in the NCAA tournament. That role now belongs to the likes of Bucknell, which faces Butler in the NCAA tournament's East Region on Thursday. ''Butler really kind of set the gold standard, in my mind, for preparation and attention to detail and being the team that doesn't beat itself,'' Bucknell coach Dave Paulsen said. ''That's kind of how we've tried to model our program.'' Gonzaga may have been the first ''small school'' to make a dent in the stranglehold the power conferences had on the tournament. It was Butler, however, that turned it into a free for all by reaching the NCAA title game in both 2010 and 2011. No, Butler didn't win it all - though it came close to knocking off Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:35:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_butler_preview/13192099 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_butler_preview/13192099 Bucknell-Butler Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_butler_preview/13192099 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Muscala scored six of his 20 points during a decisive second-half stretch to help Bucknell capture its second NCAA tournament berth in three seasons with a 64-56 win over Lafayette on Wednesday night in the Patriot League title game. Joe Willman had 14 points and eight boards to form a potent frontcourt duo with Muscala, the conference player of the year for the top-seeded Bison (28-5). Muscala also had 11 rebounds. Just like two years ago, Bucknell beat Lafayette (19-15) on its home floor to advance. Joey Ptasinski had 15 points for Lafayette, including several buckets during a key second-half sequence that helped narrow a 12-point deficit to single digits. Ptasinski's layup off a backdoor cut drew the Leopards within 41-38 with 7:17 left. That's when the 6-foot-11 Muscala took over, hitting turnaround jumpers and dominating the post during a 10-2 run that extended the lead to 51-40 with 3:52 left. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:58:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_64_lafayette_56/13136281 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_64_lafayette_56/13136281 Bucknell 64, Lafayette 56 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_64_lafayette_56/13136281 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/5/f5f6cec034e23f5f8a3edcd22fd6dd41415592df/mini/5817608.jpg Joe Willman and Bryson Johnson each scored 16 points to lead Bucknell to a 65-58 win over Holy Cross on Saturday. Cameron Ayers finished with 15 points for the Bison (17-4, 4-1 Patriot League), who have won four of their last five games. Mike Muscala recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Bucknell never trailed after halftime and led by as many as nine points, but had trouble pulling away from Holy Cross in the second half. The Crusaders cut the deficit to four points when Phil Beans made a jumper with 2:29 left to play. However, Holy Cross (10-10, 2-3) was unable to pull closer. The Bison responded with five straight points to give themselves enough cushion to hold on to the victory. Dave Dudzinski scored 26 points and Justin Burrell added 11 points for the Crusaders, who lost their second consecutive game. Sat, 26 Jan 2013 19:27:37 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_65_holy_cross_58/12762172 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_65_holy_cross_58/12762172 Bucknell 65, Holy Cross 58 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_65_holy_cross_58/12762172 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TUCSON At what point do you call a season a success? Or a disappointment? Arizona junior Solomon Hill knew right away. Arizona's 2011-12 season was the latter. Not even close, never mind the 23 wins and a postseason appearance. "I think it's a big failure because of the simple fact that if you don't get an at-large bid (to the NCAA tournament) the record doesn't mean anything," said Hill, after Arizona fell 65-54 in the first round of the NIT. "When you get into Pac-12 play, it's all about winning." And Arizona didn't do enough of it this season. It beat the teams it should have and lost probably more than it should have. And now, the season is over. It started with a surprising shocking? exhibition loss to Seattle and ended with Bucknell (25-9). It even sounds strange. "We just didn't have the juice," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "This year's team we always had to have it because if we don't we're not going to overwhelm you Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:15:57 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/arizonas_season_ends_at_the_hands_of_bucknell/10315750 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/arizonas_season_ends_at_the_hands_of_bucknell/10315750 Arizona's season ends at the hands of Bucknell http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/arizonas_season_ends_at_the_hands_of_bucknell/10315750 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Muscala and Joe Willman each scored 18 points to help Bucknell defeat Lafayette 79-52 on Saturday in the Patriot League semifinals. Willman made all eight of his free throw attempts as the Bison went 19 of 19 from the line on the way to their seventh straight win over Lafayette. Top-seeded Bucknell (24-8) will host Lehigh on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Patriot League championship game. It will be the Bison's ninth title game appearance in the Patriot League's 22-year history. Bucknell broke the game open with a 25-7 run over the final 10 minutes of the first half on its way to a 40-20 lead at the break. The Bison coasted in the second half and led by as many as 32 points. Cameron Ayers added 12 points for the Bison. Ryan Willen scored 11 points and Rob Delaney added 10 for the Leopards (13-18). Sat, 03 Mar 2012 19:03:41 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_79_lafayette_52/10225030 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_79_lafayette_52/10225030 Bucknell 79, Lafayette 52 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_79_lafayette_52/10225030 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Joe Willman scored 18 points and top-seeded Bucknell shot 62.7 percent from the field in an 87-63 victory over Navy on Wednesday night in the Patriot League quarterfinals. The Bison (23-8), the defending tournament champions, made 32 of 51 shots to hand the eighth-seeded Midshipmen (3-26) their 21st consecutive defeat. Bucknell will host No. 5 seed Lafayette in the semifinals Saturday. Navy's loss extended its losing streak in Patriot tournament games to 12, the longest conference tournament losing streak in Division I. Isaiah Roberts scored 20 points to lead Navy, which shot 52.5 percent (21 of 40) but committed 22 turnovers. Bucknell never trailed but didn't pull away until it outscored Navy 15-3 in the final 5 minutes of the first half. Willman scored eight points and Cameron Ayers seven in that stretch. Bryson Johnson had 15 points, and Ayers had 10 points and five assists for the Bison. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:08:02 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_87_navy_63/10193602 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_87_navy_63/10193602 Bucknell 87, Navy 63 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_87_navy_63/10193602 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Muscala scored 19 points and Cameron Ayers added 14 more, leading Bucknell over Army 75-59 on Saturday in the Patriot League opener for both teams. Joe Willman grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for the Bison (11-6, 1-0), who outrebounded the Black Knights 37-32 en route to their third consecutive win. Bucknell has now beaten Army, the only team to deal them a Patriot League loss last season, three straight times. Muscala opened the game for Bucknell with a pair of jumpers, a dunk and a layup, helping the Bison gain a 21-9 advantage in the first 9 1/2 minutes. They led by 15 points at the intermission and outscored the Black Knights 31-30 in the second half to seal the victory. Josh Herbeck scored 17 points to pace Army (7-9, 0-1), which came in trying to set a season high with three straight wins. Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:47:27 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_75_army_59/9196546 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_75_army_59/9196546 Bucknell 75, Army 59 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_75_army_59/9196546 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Muscala scored 18 points, hitting all 10 of his free throws, as Bucknell rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat Dartmouth 67-59 Tuesday night. Joe Willman added 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field for the Bison, who trailed 45-38 with 14:31 to play. Willman then scored five straight points to spark a 22-4 run, giving Bucknell a 60-49 lead with 2:49 left. With the victory, the Bison (10-6) will enter Patriot League play with 10 wins for the first time in program history. Coming off a 63-60 win over Cornell on Dec. 31, Bucknell defeated Ivy League teams in consecutive games for the first time while also posting its first win in Hanover. Gabas Maldunas led the Big Green (3-12) with 15 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Tyler Melville added 12 points, scoring 10 in the final 2:25. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:35:57 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_67_dartmouth_59/9112981 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_67_dartmouth_59/9112981 Bucknell 67, Dartmouth 59 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_67_dartmouth_59/9112981 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Muscala had 20 points and 11 rebounds as Bucknell pulled away from Boston University 75-61 Thursday night. The double-double was the sixth of the year for Muscala, while Joe Willman scored a career-high 19 points. Bryson Johnson added 12, Cameron Ayers 11 and Brian Fitzpatrick 10 for the Bison (8-5). The Terriers (4-8), who have lost four straight, led by four early and still held a 17-16 lead with 11:34 to go before halftime. Fitzpatrick then scored five points on a 7-0 spurt to give Bucknell a lead it never relinquished. The Bison led by as many as 19 in the first half, shooting 64.3 percent from the floor (18 of 28) with only one turnover. Boston University, led by Darryl Partin with 17 points, could get no closer than 14 after the break. The Terriers had only five first-half boards and just two offensive rebounds the entire game. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:14:13 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_75_boston_u_61/8903467 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_75_boston_u_61/8903467 Bucknell 75, Boston U. 61 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_75_boston_u_61/8903467 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Bucknell has played on the grand stage of the NCAA tournament more than once in the past six years and owns postseason victories over Kansas and Arkansas. So even facing the top-ranked team in the nation shouldn't have fazed the Bison. Coach Dave Paulsen thought otherwise after Bucknell missed too many open shots in a first half that quickly slipped away in an 80-61 loss at No. 1 Syracuse. ''I thought our team in the first half came in in awe of them,'' Paulsen said. ''We have tremendous respect for Syracuse and their ability and their talent, but we'd like to think that we would not come in in awe. We had some decent looks and couldn't knock them down.'' Kris Joseph had 17 points and Scoop Jardine added 14 as the Orange had 10 steals and seven blocks in a workmanlike performance. Freshman Rakeem Christmas was the only other player in double figures with a season-high 10. The Orange (12-0), who retained the No. 1 ranking for the second straight week, won their 3 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:10:14 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bison_misfire_early_lose_at_no_1_syracuse_80_61/8861095 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bison_misfire_early_lose_at_no_1_syracuse_80_61/8861095 Bison misfire early, lose at No. 1 Syracuse 80-61 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bison_misfire_early_lose_at_no_1_syracuse_80_61/8861095 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Muscala scored 19 points and Bucknell overcame Marist's 3-point shooting in a 74-68 victory Tuesday night. Bryan Cohen and Joe Willman added 14 points apiece for the Bison (2-2) and Bryson Johnson had 12. Bucknell led by 15 points, 46-31, with less than 3 minutes gone in the second half, but two 3-pointers by Devin Price and one each by Isaiah Morton and Manny Thomas enabled the Red Foxes (1-4) to get within seven, 50-43, at the 14:42 mark. Marist trailed by seven, 70-63, with 3:02 left, and neither team scored for nearly two minutes before a jumper by Willman made it a nine-point game with 1:08 to play. Adam Kemp finished with 16 points, Morton 14 and Price 11 to lead Marist. Price, Morton and Thomas each made three 3-pointers for the Red Foxes, who were 11 of 25 beyond the arc. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:13:59 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_74_marist_68/8274943 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_74_marist_68/8274943 Bucknell 74, Marist 68 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_74_marist_68/8274943 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Bryan Cohen scored 15 points and Mike Muscala had a double-double to lead Bucknell to a 73-42 win over St. Francis (Pa.) on Saturday night. Muscala finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and dished out four assists for the Bison (1-2). Joe Willman had 13 points, and Cameron Ayers added 10 points and five assists. Bucknell started the game strong, claiming a 33-10 lead on a jumper by Ben Brackney in the first half. The Bison were able to take advantage of St. Francis' miscues, scoring 19 points off of turnovers. Bucknell also dominated in the paint with a 36-20 edge. Defensively, the Bison did not allow a player from St. Francis to score in double figures. Scott Eatherton had a team-high nine points, but fouled out of the game for St. Francis (0-3). Bucknell shot 49.2 percent (29-59) from the floor, while St. Francis shot 32 percent (16-50). Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:55:19 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_beats_st_francis_pa_73_42/8207596 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_beats_st_francis_pa_73_42/8207596 Bucknell beats St. Francis (Pa.) 73-42 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_beats_st_francis_pa_73_42/8207596 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Bryan Cohen scored 15 points and Mike Muscala had a double-double to lead Bucknell to a 73-42 win over St. Francis (Pa.) on Saturday night. Muscala finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and dished out four assists for the Bison (1-2). Joe Willman had 13 points, and Cameron Ayers added 10 points and five assists. Bucknell started the game strong, claiming a 33-10 lead on a jumper by Ben Brackney in the first half. The Bison were able to take advantage of St. Francis' miscues, scoring 19 points off of turnovers. Bucknell also dominated in the paint with a 36-20 edge. Defensively, the Bison did not allow a player from St. Francis to score in double figures. Scott Eatherton had a team-high nine points, but fouled out of the game for St. Francis (0-3). Bucknell shot 49.2 percent (29-59) from the floor, while St. Francis shot 32 percent (16-50). Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:55:18 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_73_st_francis_pa_42/8207593 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bucknell_73_st_francis_pa_42/8207593 Bucknell 73, St. Francis (Pa.) 42 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/bucknell_73_st_francis_pa_42/8207593 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png