Merrimack men’s basketball head coach Joe Gallo said on March 9 that his team is focused on playing their style of basketball as they prepare to face Siena in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship game. The matchup will take place Tuesday night at Boardwalk Hall and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
The Warriors, who have a record of 23-10 overall and 17-3 in conference play, are seeking their first-ever appearance in the Division I Tournament. After defeating Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals and Marist in the semifinals, Merrimack has reached its third conference title game in four years.
Gallo emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency under pressure. “A lot of the work has been done over the last couple months here,” Gallo said. “You’re just kind of fine-tuning some things and keeping guys fresh and healthy at this point.” He added, “No surprises. Play Merrimack basketball. Defend, take care of the ball, take great shots. Sometimes the bright lights go on and some guys, at times, can do some uncharacteristic things as you see on TV. But just doing what we’ve done all year.”
The team is led by MAAC Player of the Year Kevair Kennedy, All-MAAC First Team Ernest Shelton, and guard Tye Dorset—all coming off strong performances with double-digit scoring efforts. Dorset’s key three-point shots were instrumental in securing Merrimack’s semifinal victory.
Gallo expressed confidence in his players’ ability to handle high-pressure situations: “Pretty mature group,” he said. “I think that first one, as far as the emotions go, is kind of the toughest one. So, it’s good to get the two under your belt. Two really good teams playing in a final.” A win would mark a historic milestone for Merrimack’s program.
