Before you can prepare, you have to believe.  The Saint Francis Men’s Basketball team always said the key to winning was preparation.  As hard as the team has worked in two seasons under head coach, Rob Krimmel, preparing simply wasn’t enough.  By mid-January, the team was just 3-15 and Krimmel’s second season was looking bleak yet again. 

As the cold month of February reared its ugly head toward Loretto, the team was able to push through in its toughest hour.  After winning four of five following their slow start, the team began to believe that this season had the capability of being special.

After knocking off three-time defending champion LIU Brooklyn on the road, the players started a #PackDeGol campaign on Twitter, encouraging students and fans to come out and support the team.

The power of Twitter took over and nearly the whole campus showed up for a “White Out” as the team hosted rival Robert Morris.  The home bleachers were filled with cheering students.  Despite a raucous crowd and a solid game by star forward, Earl Brown, the Flash fell to the Colonials 66-60.

Even though the effort was not enough, the belief did not die.  SFU won two out of their next three games despite losing the “Red Sea” game to Saint Francis Brooklyn.  The loss was less than ideal as the Flash were beat soundly by the Terriers at home.  The two biggest crowds for men’s games this season unfortunately did not witness a victory by the home team.

As the regular season concluded, Saint Francis was scorched in their last two conference matchups by Wagner and Mount St. Mary’s.  Even so, the Red Flash earned the sixth seed in the Northeast Conference Tournament, a place they had not been in three years.

Waiting on the other end was the third seed Bryant and possible conference player of the year, Alex Francis.  With everything stacked against them and seemingly everyone circling the Bulldogs to advance to the next round, the Flash simply believed in themselves when no one else would.

Earl Brown dished out a career high 8 assists, and sophomore forward Ronnie Drinnon poured in a career game with 20 points and 8 rebounds including the go-ahead lay-up with 30 seconds remaining.  The Red Flash pulled out a thrilling win in Smithfield, RI, upsetting Bryant 55-54 and marking their first conference tournament victory since 1996.

Next was a rematch against the top-seeded Colonials of Robert Morris.  The Red Flash’s seasons came to an end last Saturday as they lost a nail-biter to Robert Morris 60-57 on the road.

The loss put an end to a stellar run for Saint Francis.  A team that looked like it was heading downhill mid-season turned the tides and finished strong.  Some say they were due for a tournament victory, but as any basketball fan knows there are no handouts in the NEC.  The Red Flash played inspired basketball down the stretch because not only did they believe they could win, but their support system grew and grew.

If this season taught us anything, it is that you can put in all the work and study as much as you can.  You can be prepared as possible for anything that is thrown in your direction. But until you believe, nothing can be accomplished.