They’re all Heart
Picked 10th in the NEC preseason poll, Pioneers have defied expectations by reaching semifinals
The Sacred Heart University men’s basketball is just one of the last four teams standing in the Northeast Conference.
Ranked 10th in the preseason conference poll, No. 3 seed Sacred Heart has defied expectations and will take on No. 2 Bryant at noon Saturday (ESPN3) in a conference tournament semifinal matchup.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity and I am really happy for our guys,” Sacred Heart head coach Anthony Latina said. “I think they have been doubted and underestimated all year, but they’ve overachieved and performed.”
The Pioneers finished the regular season 9-8, going 9-7 in conference play.
Normally the NEC Tournament is an eight-team competition, but for the 2021 season it was reduced to just four teams, making Sacred Heart’s unexpected run even more impressive.
“Six months ago when we were having zoom calls, this wasn’t a guarantee,” Latina said. “We didn’t know if we would play, so from that perspective we have a lot of gratitude.”
Latina believes that gratitude attributed much to his team’s success, molding the Pioneers mindset for the upcoming season, especially for a roster with only two seniors.
“We are the youngest team in the league and one of the youngest in the country,” Latina said. “With a lot less practice time than normal, we knew we would have to be patient in our approach. That helped us respond to poor performances in a more productive way.”
Sacred Heart did not lose backto-back conference games at any point this season, and was the only team in the conference that wasn’t swept in a head-to-head series.
“That consistency is a credit to their mindset and approach,” Latina said. “Generally young teams will lose 2-3 in a row and come back to win 2-3 in a row, but we were always consistent.”
The ability to rebound after loss
es kept Sacred Heart in the playoff conversation from the beginning, despite of what any preseason poll had to say.
“We were picked 10th, and probably rightfully so,” Latina said. “We came off two good years, but a bulk of those players had either graduated or transferred. We brought in nine new players. With that said, we did have some veteran holdovers that I think were overlooked.”
Among those veteran holdovers were Tyler Thomas, Aaron Clarke and Alex Watson.
Thomas was the key to Sacred Heart’s success and was named the NEC Most Improved Player and was a second team All-Conference selection. The sophomore led the NEC in points per game with 19.4. He also led the team with 2.9 assists per game and averaged 5.2 rebounds as well.
“Tyler was probably our seventh or eighth man last year and he didn’t make the All-Rookie team,” Latina said. “Now he is the Most Improved player and was named second team All-Conference.”
Junior Aaron Clarke was second on the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg. and matched Thomas’ mark of 2.9 assists.
“Clarke was a main player as the fifth or sixth guy for our 2021 team last year,” Latina said. “Now he has become a really great leader for us.”
Perhaps the most overlooked player entering the season was senior guard Alex Watson, who started all 17 games for the Pioneers and was the team’s “glue guy” according to Latina.
“Watson didn’t play in his first three years but he kept with it, kept working and stayed positive,” Latina said. “Now he is having a terrific senior year for us and we wouldn’t be where we are without him.”
Freshman Mike Sixsmith has also been a key component to what Sacred Heart has been able to accomplish this season.
“He was an under recruited player, but we really liked him,” Latina said. ‘He has a tremendous basketball IQ and an extremely good feel for the game. He as an elite, elite, elite shooter.”
Sixsmith was an NEC All-Rookie Team selection and is shooting 54.4% from 3point range, tops in the NCAA.
“Hopefully he can make a couple more tomorrow,” Latina said. “He has been a beneficiary in watching how Aaron, Alex and Thomas and how they work, but also his feel and his unselfishness has been infectious on the other players. That has become a trademark of ours for the last month or so.”
Sacred Heart is just two wins away from
NCAA tournament berth, something the program has never accomplished as a Division I program.
“These guys and this team have not been a part of that history,” Latina said. “But it is a part of who we are as a program. Going to the NCAA tournament is every player and coaches dream. It is the most unique and special postseason tournament in American sports and it would be the thrill of a lifetime.”
If Sacred Heart were to defeat Bryant (14-5, 10-4 NEC) on Saturday, it would face the winner of No. 4 Mount St. Mary's (1010, 9-7 NEC) and No. 1 Wagner (13-6, 13-5 NEC) on Tuesday.
“It would give me great joy if this group were able to celebrate that,” Latina said. “With that said, we have to perform. It isn’t easy, we have to win two very tough games. We just have to stay focused and do the things that got us to this point.”
“I love this group in terms of the people they are,” Latina said. “From a character and humility standpoint, I couldn’t be more proud and happier for them. Now hopefully we can continue this for a couple more games.”
Dear Abby: I’m married to the most patient, loving and wonderful husband in the world. Recently, I had a falling-out with his friend group. I admit I was not a good friend due to mental illness, and I know I may never earn their forgiveness. I’m taking responsibility for my actions and seeking help. Now I want to move on and forget I ever knew them.
The problem is, my husband still hangs out with them. He defended me when they talked negatively about me, and continues to support me in all my struggles, but they’re still buddy-buddy as if nothing ever happened. I can’t help but think how awkward it is that he hangs out with a bunch of people who hate me.
The last thing I want is to break up a friendship, and I know it’s petty to be angry that my husband still hangs with them, but it still leaves a sour taste in my mouth. How can I learn to let go knowing they will be a constant presence in my life and a reminder of how horrible I was?
Keeping Distance
Dear Keeping: You have a mental illness and you acted out. Your illness caused it, and it does not make you a bad person.
You cannot wave a magic wand and expect this to go away. You have already taken an important first step by admitting to yourself that you have a mental illness. If you are now in treatment, you have also taken the second step. When you are strong enough, apologize to his friend group for any pain, embarrassment or disruption you caused during an “episode” and assure them you are working to get better.
You should not expect your husband to drop his friends because you messed up. They probably WILL be present in your lives for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean you will always be at odds.
Dear Abby: We moved into a beautiful new house a few months ago, and we’re having an issue with a neighbor whose dog barks all night. This has been going on since the first night. I have tried to ignore it. I wear earplugs or put a pillow over my head, but nothing helps, and it’s starting to affect my mood because I’m not getting enough sleep.
I’m receiving mixed advice from family about whether I should talk to the neighbor in person or anonymously submit a complaint with the city. I would go in person, but I’m somewhat shy, and I’m not sure how to start a conversation like that with someone I’ve never met. Any advice on this would be so helpful.
Sleep-Deprived in Arizona
Dear Sleep-Deprived: It would be interesting to know WHY your neighbor’s dog barks all night. Is it neglected, hungry or thirsty, tied up outside and wanting to come in? Because you are shy, write your neighbors a polite letter explaining that their dog’s barking is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep and ask if they can do something to help you out. Give them a chance to rectify the problem. However, if the animal is being ignored and mistreated, contact the animal control department in your city and report it.