UMBC men’s basketball heads to America East championship semifinals as No. 1 seed

Uncertainty—that was the word going through the minds of every player, coach, and fan as the 2020-2021 UMBC men’s basketball season tipped off in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team and coaching staff were cautiously optimistic as they began preparing for a season unlike any other. Now, as the team enters the America East playoffs as No. 1 seed, that uncertainty is overwhelmed by pride and gratitude. 

“This season has been different in every way you could think of. Having no fans, the travel arrangements, the COVID testing, everything really,” says R.J. Eytle-Rock ’22, psychology. But despite the numerous hoops Retrievers had to jump through, they persevered and gave supporters something to believe in. 

Daniel Akin ’21, undergraduate studies, takes a shot against UVM.

For the first time since 2007-2008, the Retrievers nabbed the America East Regular Season Title, sharing it with the University of Vermont. UMBC finished the regular season with a 10-4 conference record.

“This season has been about adapting to what is thrown at you through the pandemic and everything else,” says Brandon Horvath ’21, financial economics. 

While he could stop there and reflect on the success of the season, Horvath and his teammates know this is just the beginning saying, “We aren’t finished yet. We still have more work to do.”

Horvath weighs his options on the court.

That work kicks off this Saturday with the America East championship semifinal. The No. 1 seed Retrievers will take on No. 6 seed UMass Lowell at 2 p.m. at the UMBC Event Center. The restructured playoff schedule granted automatic byes into the America East semifinals to the top two seeds, UMBC and Vermont. 

Season highlights

The hard work that carried the Retrievers through this season didn’t go unnoticed by the conference or sporting world. 

Darnell Rogers ’22, media and communication studies, put the nation on notice that his 5-foot 2-inch stature doesn’t impact his success on the court. After playing against Georgetown in November, SportsCenter tweeted a highlight reel of Rogers “getting buckets.” 

Of the team’s accomplishments and his own, Rogers says, “‘Do the things that lead to winning.’ That’s what we’ve preached all season.”