Arkansas Tech University's men's basketball team has had a remarkable season, winning 22 games and clinching a share of the 2023-24 Great American Conference regular season championship. Coach Mark Downey's leadership and the team's toughness and resilience have been key factors in their success.
Arkansas Tech University Men's Basketball Team Achieves Remarkable Season
( Credit to: Arkansastechnews )
Arkansas Tech University's men's basketball team has had a remarkable season in 2023-24, winning 22 games. This is the most wins the team has achieved in a single season since their impressive run in the 2011-12 season, where they reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II Tournament with a record of 26-6.
Under the leadership of coach Mark Downey, the Wonder Boys have accomplished something that few coaches have the opportunity to do - rebuild a program to a championship level not just once, but twice. During Downey's first stint at ATU, the team won the Gulf South Conference West Division title in the 2009-10 season, marking their first regular season conference title in 15 years. Now, in Downey's second stint, the Wonder Boys have clinched a share of the 2023-24 Great American Conference regular season championship, their first conference title in a decade.
Toughness and Resilience: Key Factors in the Team's Success
The team's success can be attributed to their toughness and resilience. Coach Downey emphasizes the importance of doing your job no matter the circumstances, and the players have embraced this mentality. The Wonder Boys have shown their toughness on the road, winning 10 games away from home this season, including a strong 9-2 record in GAC road contests. This is a significant improvement from the previous three seasons, where they struggled with a 3-20 record on the road.
Reflecting on the team's journey, Coach Downey acknowledges the challenges they have faced, including the impact of COVID-19. However, the team never gave up and kept pushing forward. He expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to coach this group of players and states that he has never enjoyed coaching a team more than this one.
GAC Tournament: The Road to Championship
Looking ahead, Arkansas Tech (22-6) will face the Harding University Bisons (12-16) in the first round of the GAC Tournament. The Wonder Boys have already defeated Harding twice during the regular season, with convincing wins of 91-58 and 89-66. If they advance, they will play in the GAC Tournament semifinals with the hope of reaching the championship game on March 10.
The GAC Tournament will take place at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The tournament champion will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Fans can catch all the action of the ATU games on KCJC 102.3 FM, www.arkansastechsports.com, and the EAB Media Group app.
Conclusion: Rebuilding a Program to Championship Level
Arkansas Tech's remarkable season is a testament to the team's toughness, resilience, and dedication. Coach Downey and his players have overcome challenges and rebuilt the program to a championship level. As they enter the GAC Tournament, the Wonder Boys are poised to continue their success and make their mark in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
