Undefeated: How B-CU Basketball Is Conquering MEAC
Wildcat basketball is resurging, as both Men and Women are
undefeated in Mid Eastern Athletic Conference so far.
Women,
coached by Vanessa Blair-Lewis, have consistently been dominant in MEAC for
last several years; therefore, their good record is no surprise. The B-CU lady
Wildcats (12-4; 4-0 in MEAC) are on a pace to have another special season. In
2017 the ladies were able to finish first in MEAC with a 15-1 conference
record. Unfortunately, the ladies lost a playoff thriller to Hampton University
where the Pirates came out on top 52-49.
The
Wildcat fans are currently witnessing a new era when watching B-CU Men's
basketball. A renewed roster alongside new head coach Ryan Ridder has shown to
pay off already. The men are currently on a five game winning streak with a
10-9 (5-0 in MEAC) record. Surprisingly, the Wildcats have already matched last
season's win total with 10; however, they still have 12 regular season games to
play.

While
for the ladies last season was all about having the best record in MEAC for the
second year in a row; the men struggled to find chemistry and consistency.
Currently, the women are successfully integrating the young players into their
successful system. Coach Blair-Lewis has nailed down the proven winning
formula, therefore, the talented players are tasting victory almost every time
they buy-in into the Blair-Lewis system. Veteran players Emily Williams and
Ashanti Hunt are consistently showing leadership on the court; therefore, one
may assume that the ladies have it figured out.
A
rare sight for B-CU basketball is seeing two teams on a roll. While only 33
years old, coach Ridder has proven to be a high level professional as he
transformed the men's game by bringing in new talent and new expectations. "I'm
happy to see the hard work of our guys turn into wins," Ridder said.
Both teams have shown great communication on the court. At the same time; however, individuality has played a big role in the winning formula for B-CU hoops. The leadership skills from the veterans Hunt and Williams have shown out for Coach Blair-Lewis in crucial times, such as the thrilling win in overtime at Howard University.

"If Emily doesn't have that fourth quarter, we lose. She came out with a spark and that energy was contagious," said Hunt, remembering Williams' 11-point fourth quarter.
Individuality is blossoming on the
men's team as well. Everyone on the starting five are scoring at least 9.9
points per game, meanwhile Brandon Tabb is leading everyone with an average of
17.3. In addition, Tabb is ranked third on the nation shooting from the free
throw line at 94.1%.
When
commenting the successful individual and overall performance of his players,
coach Ridder said he's "challenging our guys to be discipline and focused, and
attack one day at the time. Our accountability and being locked in during
practice, I think, definitely transitions into the game," Ridder said.
As the
basketball season has moved to its second half, it is safe to say that the
coach Blair-Lewis has a habit of winning; meanwhile the Ridder era has already
proven to be a success. The players, coaches and the fans are excited to see
basketball flourish in Daytona's historic Moore Gymnasium.
While still a
newcomer, coach Ridder is already enjoying the B-CU fan love."We
appreciate our fans; I've been saying that since day one," said Ridder. "This
is one of the greatest college atmospheres that you're going to see. We weren't
going to judge this season on wins and losses, it's about building a culture
and trying to lay a foundation for the future, but to see wins on the board and
to see the fans excited, I'll tell you, it's a good feeling," Ridder said.