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Men's Basketball
History

The Clark men's basketball team has been successful at both the regional and national levels. In the last 27 years, the Cougars have earned a 459-257 record and produced eleven 20-win seasons. One of only two New England men’s basketball team (Williams) to play in an NCAA Division III National Championship game twice (1984 and 1987), Clark made an unprecedented 11 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament from 1977-88. In addition, the Cougars have won six NCAA Northeast titles from 1978-2000.

The Cougars have reached the NCAA Tournament four times in the last seven years. The Cougars made consecutive trips to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2002 and made appearances in the 1999 and 2003 NCAA Tournament. The Cougars have won the NEWMAC Championship four times in the six year history of the conference (1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003) and earned the conference's automatic bid to the national tournament. In the last 26 years, the Cougars have earned a 446-241 record and produced 11 20-win seasons. Clark and Williams are the only New England men’s basketball teams to play in an NCAA Division III National Championship game twice. Clark made an unprecedented 11 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament from 1977 to 1988.

2007-08

After claiming its best finish in the NEWMAC (7-5/2nd) since 2002-03, the Clark University men’s basketball team went on to post the most wins in a season in four years with a 12-13 overall mark.

The Cougars won five of their first seven conference games in dramatic fashion, earning three of the victories by a margin of three points or less, en route to being named the league’s runner-up. Clark had a chance to share the top spot in the NEWMAC, but fell to eventual regular-season champs WPI (87-74) with four conference games remaining. However, CU won its last two games of the regular season to secure the second seed in the conference tournament. After coming out on top in two tightly contested contests against Wheaton College (76-73 & 92-90) during the year, the Cougars fell to the Lyons (78-74) in the NEWMAC quarterfinal round.

Other season highlights included a pair of tournament title appearances with a season-opening championship game versus Roger Williams University in the Roger Williams Tournament and a winter break title match against Carroll College (Wi.) in the Cactus Jam Hoop Classic.

Sophomore Mark Alexander was named to the All-NEWMAC second team for the second straight season, while the team earned their first-ever conference Sportsmanship Award. Additionally, senior D.J. Brinn was presented with Clark’s Russ Granger award for academic excellence and athletic achievement by a male athlete.

2006-07

The Clark University men’s basketball team exceeded expectations with an 11-14 (5-7 NEWMAC) finish. With a new head coach at the helm – Paul Phillips in his second stint – a revamped system and a novice team, the Cougars were resilient in their climb up the conference standings. After holding the sixth spot in league play for three straight weeks, Clark won four out of its last five NEWMAC games, including a road victory and post-game coin toss over MIT, to secure the fourth seed in the conference tournament. It marked the first time the men hosted the quarterfinals in two years. However, Clark had its tournament hopes dashed with a 64-53 loss to MIT in the opening round.

A team comprised of just two seniors and a huddle of underclassmen, Clark’s growing pains were highlighted with 12 games decided by eight points or less. The Cougars, whose schedule featured a pair of New York tournaments and three nationally ranked opponents, put together a string of three straight victories to start the year and defeated eventual NEWMAC Champion Coast Guard Academy twice (102-91 2OT & 55-53). First-year Mark Alexander, the team’s leading scorer, capped the year with a second-team All-Conference nod.

2005-06

The men’s basketball team finished the season 11-15 with wins during the season over two-time NEWMAC Champion WPI and cross-town rival Worcester State.

Tim Dutille ’06 completed an impressive four-year career and became the 23rd men’s basketball player at Clark to surpass 1,000 points with 15 points on Dec. 8, 2005 against Fitchburg State. He finished his career with 1,309 points and is ranked 14th on Clark’s all-time scoring list. He led the team this year in scoring with 15.5 points per game and grabbed a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. Dutille finished the season ranked seventh in the NEWMAC in scoring, sixth in field-goal percentage (50.7), fourth in rebounds and eighth in free-throw percentage (79.2).

Senior captain Cory Szklarz poured in an impressive 40 points in a tough overtime loss against Wheaton

2004-05

The men’s basketball team, under first-year head coach Mo Cassara, finished the 2004-05 season in fine fashion. The Cougars compiled a 6-2 record in February and a fourth-place finish in the New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) with a 5-7 NEWMAC record. Led by junior Tim Dutille the Cougars defeated Coast Guard at home, 71-58 in the NEWMAC quarterfinals. Dutille had season-highs of 26 points and 15 rebounds. Clark fell to the number one seed and eventual NEWMAC Champion WPI in the semifinals, 73-64 and finished the season 11-15. Dutille was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team after making an appearance on the second team last year. He led the team in scoring (15.7 ppg) and was second in rebounds (7.4 rpg) while recording five double-doubles in 26 games. In addition, he was ranked seventh in the conference in scoring, fourth in rebounds and fourth in field goal percentage (.529). Graduate student Adam Miller had a solid year adding 6.6 points per game and team and conference leading 10.0 rebounds per game. Sophomore Cory Szklarz joined the team during the semester break and made an immediate impact, finishing with 13.1 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game.

2003-04

The men’s basketball team finished the 2003-04 year 13-12 and placed third with an 8-4 record in the New England Women’s & Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). MIT upset the Cougars, 79-69, in the NEWMAC quarterfinals. Highlighting the year for the Cougars were wins against 2004 NCAA Tournament participants Brockport State (74-69) and Babson College (80-78 OT). Senior guard Dave McNamara, senior forward Trevor Walker and sophomore center Tim Dutille led the Cougars. McNamara, who was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team, was a four-time all-conference selection. He led the team in scoring with 18.7 points per game while grabbing 3.7 rebounds per game and dishing out 2.0 assists a game. McNamara also averaged 2.6 3-point field goals while shooting 36.2 percent from long range. He has received numerous awards this year highlighted by his selection to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Men's Basketball College Division All-District I Second Team and finished second on Clark's All-Time scoring list with 1,827 points. Dutille, who had a solid second year, was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team. This is Dutille’s first appearance on the all-conference team and he finished the year second on the team in scoring (14.4 ppg) and first in rebounds (6.0). Dutille, who recorded three double-doubles on the year, shot an impressive 58.4 percent from the floor and ranked first in the conference. Walker was third on the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game and second with 5.0 rebounds per game. He added 2.0 assists per game while shooting 31.4 percent from long range and averaging 2.4 three-pointers per game. Walker finished his career eighth on the scoring list with 1,522 points and holds records for most games played in a career (111), most three-pointers made in a game (9), most three-pointers attempted in a game (19), most three-pointers made in a career (319) and most three-pointers attempted in a career (848).

2002-03

The 2002-03 Clark University men’s basketball team concluded the season 21-7 overall and 10-2 in the conference. Head Coach Paul Phillips was named NEWMAC Coach of the Year for the third time. He has directed the Cougars to an impressive 127-64 overall record in seven years at Clark and in 17 years of coaching he has compiled 294-61 overall record. The men’s basketball team won more than 20 games for the third consecutive season and made their third consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament and fourth in the last five years. The Cougars, who returned four starters and l1 players overall including seven seniors were primed to be among the regions and nations best and did just that for the third consecutive season. After making two straight trips to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2001 and 2002, The Cougars started the season traveling to the Elizabethtown Tournament and fell to last year’s national runner-up 103-96 in a rematch of the 2002 NCAA Elite Eight contest in which the Blue Jays defeated the Cougars 94-90. After a tough loss to regionally ranked Amherst College 68-62 the Cougars won four straight and nine out of the next ten to establish itself once again as one of the top teams in New England. Continuing their strong hold on the NEWMAC the Cougars earned the number one seed for the third straight season. In a thrilling championship game the Cougars defeated Babson College 84-76 in overtime which capped their third win of the season over the regionally ranked Beavers. The Cougars, who won their third consecutive conference championship and fourth in the five-year history of the league, have won three tournament titles. Senior captain Sean Fleming led the Cougars over the Beavers with 35 points. The Cougars faced Little East Conference champion Western Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and fell 84-82. WCONN hit a jumper with less than a second remaining to end the Cougars’ run at another thrilling ride in the NCAA Tournament.

Fleming, the NEWMAC Player of the Year, for the second consecutive year, led the team with 18.6 points a game. He added 5.2 rebounds per game and 2.9 assists per game. He was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-America Second Team making him among 16 of the best division III college basketball players in the country. He earned all-conference honors for the third consecutive season and was among conference leaders in eight statistical categories including first in scoring, three-point field goal percentage and free-throw percentage. A first team selection to the ECAC New England All-Star first team, fourth team selection to the D3hoops.com All-America team and a first team selection to the D3.hoops All-Northeast Regional Team he was ranked second nationally in free-throw percentage (91.2) at the end of the season. In addtion he will play in the NEBC All-Star game as a member of the south team. Along with Fleming, juniors Dave McNamara and Trevor Walker added to the potent offense. McNamara, who was named to the all-conference team for the third consecutive year, was second on the team in scoring (17.4). He hit 46.4 percent from long range and is ranked sixth nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (46.7) and 17th in 3-point field goals made per game (3.1) thru games 3/16/03. He was named to the D3hoops.com All-Northeast Regional third team and ECAC All-Star honorable mention team. Walker was third on the team in scoring with 14.0 points per game while shooting 40.6 percent from long range and made his second straight appearance on the all-conference team. He earned ECAC All-Star second team honors. Fleming finished his career ranked fifth on Clark’s all-time scoring list with 1,561 points. Both McNamara and Walker surpassed the 1,000 career-point plateau this year. McNamara is tied for 10th with 1,379 points and Walker is 17th with 1,170.

2001-02

The 2001-2002 team followed the 2000-2001 record of 24-5 and trip to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in fine fashion. The Cougars won the NEWMAC Championship for the second consectuvie season and advanced to the Elite Eight for the second year in a row, making them only one of of two teams in the 2001-2002 field to advance that far two years in a row. Clark's impressive run in 2002 included a win against defending National Champion Catholic University in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen which avenged last year's four-point loss to Catholic in the NCAA Elite Eight. Leading the way for Clark in 2002, was NEWMAC Player of the Year Sean Fleming '03. Fleming, who became Clark's 20th player to score 1,000 career points, also made his second appearance on the NEWMAC All-Conference Team. David McNamara '04 was selected to the all-conference team for the second year in a row and Trevor Walker '04 made his first appearance. In 2002-03 the Cougars claimed their consecutive NEWMAC Championship and third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars, were led by NEWMAC Player of the Year Sean Fleming. Fleming, who has earned this honor two consecutive years also was selected to the NEWMAC All-Conference Team. Dave McNamara '04 and Trevor Walker '04, who both joined the 1,000 point career club, also joined Fleming on the first team. Fleming, earned a number of postseason awards which inlcude the most prestigious honor, NABC All-America Second Team and the Bob Cousy award, which is given annually to the best New England Division I, II, or III baskeball player under six-feet.

2000-01

The 2000-2001 Clark University men's basketball team ended a sensational season with a 24-5 record, a New England Women's and Men's Conference (NEWMAC) Championship and a place among the top eight Division III teams in the nation.

The Cougars advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years and the 13th time in the program's history after earning the NEWMAC's automatic bid by defeating Springfield College 86-78 and Babson College 77-57 en route to winning the conference tournament. Clark earned a first round bye in the national tournament and defeated Amherst College 89-76 in the second round. The Cougars hosted the sectionals and beat the US Merchant Marine Academy 75-69 in the "Sweet 16" round. The season ended one game short of the Final Four in an 82-78 loss to Catholic University in the sectional finals.

Fifth-year Head Coach Paul Phillips earned his second NEWMAC Coach of the Year Award after directing his team to an 11-1 regular season record, the NEWMAC Championship, and a conference tournament title. In the past five years Clark has posted an overall record of 83-51 (.619 winning percentage) and has advanced to post-season play the last three years. The Cougars' 24 wins ties the 1980-81 team that finished with a 24-3 record for the second best mark in the history of the program behind the 1986-87 team, which finished with a 27-3 record and a trip to the Final Four.

Senior tri-captains and starters Bob Andrejczyk (Warren, MA/Quaboag Regional HS), Bobby Corazzini (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian HS), and John Ginnity (Fitchburg, MA/St. Bernard's HS) provided outstanding leadership for the young squad. Andrejczyk, a 6-2 forward, averaged 8.0 ppg and led the team with 177 rebounds (6.1 rpg). He also finished third on the team in assists (49) and steals (41). Corazzini, a 6-0 guard, made 31 of 93 three-point baskets (33.3%) and averaged 4.7 ppg. Ginnity, a 5-10 point guard, directed the Cougar offense and led the team with 94 assists (3.2 apg). Also a tenacious defender, Ginnity tallied a team-high 60 steals.

Three athletic and versatile guards, 5-10 Dave McNamara '04 (Worcester, MA/Worcester Academy), 6-0 Sean Fleming '03 (Smithfield, RI/Worcester Academy), and 6-4 Trevor Walker '04 (Milford, MA/Milford HS) all averaged in double figures and led the Cougars in scoring. McNamara topped the team in scoring with 455 points (15.7 ppg) and also led the team with a stellar .464 three-point shooting percentage (78-168). McNamara was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference Team and received NEWMAC Rookie of the Year honors. Fleming, a top all-around player who started all 29 games and was among the team leaders in every category, was also selected to the NEWMAC All-Conference Team. Fleming finished second on the team with 397 points (13.7 ppg), 118 rebounds (4.1 rpg), 60 assists (2.0 apg), and 46 steals (1.6 spg). The solid shooter made 133 of 259 shots from the field (51.4%), 37 of 91 three-point baskets (40.7%) and 94 of 109 free throws (86.2%). Walker, an outstanding shooter with incredible range, led the team in three-point baskets made with 82 of 202 (40.6%). In the final game of the season, Walker set a school record with nine treys and hit a season-high 31 points. Third on the team in scoring with 340 points (11.7 ppg), Walker also pulled down 78 rebounds (2.7 rpg).

1999-2000

Fourth-year coach Paul Phillips directed the Cougars to a 19-9 overall record, a second place finish in the NEWMAC and a second consecutive post-season appearance. The team was consistently ranked in the regional poll all season, vacillating between the third and sixth positions.

The Cougars earned the third seed in the ECAC Tournament but were upset in the first round by UMass-Dartmouth 79-71. The team finished with an 8-4 regular season conference record. In the NEWMAC Tournament, the Cougars defeated WPI (102-79) and MIT (78-48) before succumbing to Springfield (68-60) in the championship game.

Clark dominated the teams in Worcester County, defeating Fitchburg State (93-72), Worcester State (73-58), and Nichols (99-64) and avenged a one-point loss to WPI (73-72) with two run-away victories (87-61 and 102-79). Other highlights of the season included winning the Salem State Tournament by defeating the tournament host (89-69), beating Amherst 80-77 in overtime, breaking Trinity’s 26-game home winning streak with a 97-82 victory, home and away wins over Wheaton, the top seed in the NEWMAC, and an impressive 76-53 defeat of Springfield at the Kneller Center.

Senior tri-captain guard Rob Robledo(Newton, MA/Newton South High School) earned the team’s Most Valuable Player award after leading the team in scoring (369 points, 13.2 average). The sharp-shooter hit 61 baskets from long-range including several clutch hoops with time running down and the game on the line. He collected MVP honors at the Salem State Tourney and was named to the all-tournament team at the Hampton Inn Classic hosted by UMass-Dartmouth. Robledo and senior tri-captain forward Mike Brown(Newton, MA/Newton South High School) were named to the All-NEWMAC Team. Brown, an explosive defensive player sustained a foot injury which forced him to miss 10 games, though despite sitting out one-third of the season, he led the team with 62 blocks and pulled down 111 rebounds (5.6 average). On the offensive side, Brown scored 155 points (7.8 average).

1998-1999

Keenan Smith '99 was a three-time all-conference pick and was selected the 1999 NEWMAC Player of the Year. Coach Paul Phillips earned conference Coach of the Year honors in 1999 and led the Cougars back to the NCAA Tournament after a 10-year absence.

For more information about Clark University Men's Basketball, please contact head coach Paul Phillips at (508) 793-7430 or by email at pphillips@clarku.edu

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