As February begins to wind down, College Basketball ratchets up the intensity. This year, both the Skidmore Men’s and Women’s basketball teams have not only qualified for the Liberty League playoffs, but also are the #1 overall seeds in their respective brackets. Both teams boast impressive league and overall records, and also immense talent.
On the Women’s side, Junior guard Kelly Donnelly leads the team with 20.6 PPG, and was named the Liberty League Player of the Week for the 2nd week in a row and for the 5th time this season. Led by Donnelly, the team finished their regular season with a 17-8 record (13-3 in the Liberty League), which landed them the #1 overall seed in the Liberty League tournament. They will take on Clarkson in the Liberty League semifinals at 6pm on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Williamson Sports Center. With the possibility of a berth to the NCAA DIII Women’s Basketball Tournament looming large, the Thoroughbreds will continue to rely on Donnelly for leadership and guidance as they look to capture both Skidmore’s 84th Conference Championship and 9th National Championship.
On the Men’s side, the combination of sophomore sensation Edvinas (Ed) Rupkus and senior stud Aldin Medunjanin have led the Thoroughbreds to a stellar 19-6 record (14-2 in the Liberty League). Ed just recently crossed the 1,000-career point threshold, making him the first sophomore in Skidmore’s history, and only the 18th player in Skidmore’s history, to reach that mark. In their last game, Ed was on fire, setting a school record with 42 points in their 93-78 win over Clarkson. Between Ed and Skidmore's record book mainstay Medunjanin, the Thoroughbreds look poised to repeat as Liberty League champions, if not more. They begin their quest for March Madness this Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 8pm against Hobart at the Williamson Sports Center.