Cagers post successful season
@ByName:By Shawn MastrianHead Coach Leo Osgood directed his troops to a 14-8 record, the best that MIT has seen in 20 years, and almost led the Engineers into the playoffs for the first time since the extinction of the dinosaurs. MIT was ninth in line for the eight playoff spots.
An offense with unlimited weapons and a tenacious defense were the keys to victory for the Engineers. Trae Shattuck '90 (14.3), Jay Fraser '89 (14.2), and Doug Cornwall '89 (13.5) all averaged in double figures to lead the team in scoring. Mike Casagrande '89 provided a sure outside shot and team leadership, and Dave DellaGrote '90 handled the ball adeptly at point guard, adding his expert defensive skills at the other end of the court. Dave Tomlinson '91 provided a spark and extra scoring punch off the bench. Basically, the team had the chemistry to win.
Team MVP was given to Cornwall. Shattuck was the top rebounder. DellaGrotte was given the best defense award and another for dedication and hustle. Casagrande won the Larry Grabin award for his contribu[cc19p][cp9][cl9.8]tions to the program.
The team was also well-recorded in the National Collegiate Athletic Association statistical books. The defense held its opponents to a mere 42.6 percent shooting, in the top 20 in the nation. This led to the 13th fewest points allowed, only 63.3. The most impressive statistic, however, was MIT's +12.5 per game rebound margin, which put them fourth in the nation.
As for MIT records, Fraser scored his 1000th point on the year. The team set a school record for points in a game during a 112-61 bombing of Emerson. The win-loss record itself was only bettered by the 1965 team, which posted a 19-7 record.
The New England Basketball Coaches Association named the team as the most improved. The Associated Press and the United Press International named Osgood as New England Division III Coach of the Year, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches named him Coach of the Year. Only eight such accolades were awarded across the nation.
The season itself was highlighted by a late-season eight game winning streak. During the streak, it looked as though the only way the team could lose was when they wanted to. Unfortunately, just as the team was peaking, the season came to an end.
As the team failed to qualify for postseason play, its full potential was never realized.
Copyright 1990 by The Tech. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published on Tuesday, February 6, 1990.
Volume 110, Year in Review
The story began on page 20 and jumped to page 18.
This article may be freely distributed electronically, provided it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice, but may not be reprinted without the express written permission of The Tech. Write to archive@the-tech.mit.edu for additional details.
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