Did you know Bison are savvy swimmers? Well, the experienced Bucknell bunch remained afloat Wednesday night, drowning Lafayette, 64-56, to capture their fourth Patriot League crown and sixth automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Here are five other facts you may not know about the Bison’s basketball-playing brethren:
1. Bucknell’s win over Lafayette, its 28th of the year, breaks the school and Patriot League records for victories in a season. The triumph also extended the seniors’ record for most wins by one class to 92.
2. Senior center, Mike Muscala, is a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year award winner, Bucknell’s all-time leading scorer, and only D-I player in the country to average more than 18 points and 11 boards. He also paced the nation with 22 double-doubles.
3. Muscala’s not the only offensive threat for Bucknell. Joe Willman (6-7, senior, forward), Cameron Ayers (6-5, junior, guard) and Bryson Johnson (6-2, senior, guard) have all eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau, averaged double-digit scoring numbers and have been tabbed All-Patriot League selections in their careers. Steven Kaspar, a 6-3 sophomore floor leader, is the lone underclassman in the starting five.
4. In 2005, Bucknell became the first Patriot League team to win an NCAA tournament game, upsetting No. 3 Kansas 64-63 in the opening round. The unforeseen feat reeled in “Best Upset” at the 2005 ESPY Awards.
5. Fifth-year coach Dave Paulsen has guided Bucknell through one of the best eras in program history. The Bison have won 76 games over the last three years, a program record.
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