PLATTSBURGH — The regular season didn't quite go as well as the Plattsburgh State men's basketball would have liked.
Tonight, a whole new season begins.
The Cardinals tipoff the SUNY Athletic Conference playoffs tonight at Cortland at 7 p.m.
"I can't say we are the most confident team heading into the playoffs," Plattsburgh coach Tom Curle said. "We haven't had the success we wished we would have had.
"We haven't capitalized on the potential that we have yet. But, it's never too late. This is a fresh start. No one gave us the playoffs, we earned it. We're in because we won enough games to earn a spot."
The Cardinals (8-17, 6-12) have battled the No. 2 seeded Red Dragons tough in both games this season, but have come up empty in the win department. In its first matchup Corltand captured a 75-66 victory on its home court. In the rematch, the Red Dragons held off Plattsburgh, 65-58, at Memorial Hall.
"We've played them very well twice," Curle said. "They are really tough to score on; they are third in the conference in points allowed per game (65).
"We are going to need to get some easy baskets and defend against the 3-point shot."
In both games this season, the Cardinals had an advantage on the inside with the play of John Perez and Shavar Fields.
"We have to take advantages of mismatches," Curle said. "I feel that we can take advantage on the inside. As long as we can do that and defend the three it should be a good game."
After the close win against Plattsburgh, Cortland (9-16, 10-3) fell to Oswego before ending the season on a five-game winning streak, including a 108-105 overtime victory over Buffalo State in its last game.
The Red Dragons were led this season by three players averaging double figures in points. Jesse Winter leads the team with 14.9 points per game. Brian Manning, who has yet to start a game this season, is their second leading scorer at 13.4 per game, including connecting on 41 percent from long range. Jeremy Smith rounds out the trio with an 11.8 point per game average.
"I still think our team is capable of a great deal," Curle said. "We need just one night to play to our full capability. Hopefully we can drop the word potential and pick up the word good — we are a good team.
"Potential can be a dirty word if you don't realize your capabilities. We have the playoffs to clean it up."
The Cardinals are two years removed from captured the SUNYAC tournament. Last year, Plattsburgh finished with a 1-1 record in the tournament.
This season may not have gone the way the Cardinals had hoped, but there is still a chance to finish it well.
"We will lace them up (tonight) and see where it takes us," Curle said.
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