New Paltz, NY — For the last six years, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball team had nothing to play for with two games left in the season. However, heading into this weekend with SUNY Potsdam (12-11 overall, 8-8 SUNYAC) and Plattsburgh State (19-4, 13-3) on the docket to close out the regular season, the stakes couldn't be higher for the Hawks (14-9, 9-7).
 
With SUNY Oneonta pulling an upset and defeating league-leading Oswego State on the road Wednesday, SUNY New Paltz needs at least one more victory to claim a spot in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoffs for the first time since its 2012-13 campaign. 
 
"The opportunity to play in the SUNYAC playoffs — it's amazing and it's been something we've been striving to get to since my four years here," said Hawks senior guard Nick Paquette. "It's been a long, long journey, but to just see it finally almost come to fruition, we still have to win [Friday] and the next day, but to just be in this position it feels great. It really shows all the hard work we've been putting in has really paid off."
 
SUNY New Paltz surprised many this season, as it is just two years removed from its one-win season in 2016-17. With a tight playoff race, the Hawks have the opportunity to clinch as high as a four seed this weekend, but going winless can cost them a postseason spot.
 
"In my four years here obviously the program has came a long way," said SUNY New Paltz senior guard Cory Garcia. "The amount of wins this year... I think ties my total number of wins the past three years, so just that is an incredible stat."
 
Both the Bears and Cardinals have something to fight for as well, with SUNY Potsdam battling for a playoff bid, while Plattsburgh State has a chance to lock down the top seed in the SUNYAC Tournament for the second-straight year.
 
Reigning SUNYAC Player of the Year Jonathan Patron has carried the Cardinals thus far and is arguably the best player in the conference this season as well. He leads the team with about 24 points, 11 rebounds and nearly three assists per game, while shooting 48 percent from the field, including nearly 40 percent from 3-point range. 
 
"[Patron] is one hell of a player, really tough to stop," Paquette said. "He's going to get his buckets, but as long as we can minimalize what he is doing and prevent him from getting the ball I think we have a good shot on Saturday." Similar to the Hawks, the Bears have remained at the bottom of the conference standings for the last couple years, but have had a break-out season thus far. They don't have the same caliber of player like the Cardinals' Patron, but rather have a multitude of contributors who are dangerous, including Dante Langley who has hit two big buckets against the Hawks the past two years. Langley knocked down the game-winner in the Hawk Center as time expired a year ago, and also hit the go-ahead basket to push the Bears past SUNY New Paltz earlier this season.
 
"I think [Potsdam] matches up really well with us," said SUNY New Patlz senior guard Paddy Parr. "They have four or five kids that can really hurt you. Whereas other teams like Cortland or Brockport have one or two main guys that you have to worry about. It's more about everyone on the court has to defend. It's not just keying in on two guys."
 
SUNY Potsdam has lost four of its last five games, including two-straight. The Bears average about 75 points per game, while also giving up just less than 75 against. Langley (14.7), Nosa Onabor (14.5), Jaquan Thomas (13.4) and Danny Delsol-Lowry (12.2) all average double-digit points to lead the team offensively. 
 
Meanwhile, Plattsburgh State has won seven straight and are out-scoring its opposition 559-491 in that streak, which includes wins over The College at Brockport, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Potsdam, Fredonia State, Buffalo State, SUNY Cortland and Oswego State. 

"We can control our own destiny and there is no other team I'd rather play than Potsdam," Garcia said. "Two years ago they we were on the bottom of the league with us and now it's great that we're both battling for a playoff spot in the last weekend. Both programs have come a long way."
 
SUNY New Paltz is set to take on the Bears Friday at 7:30, which will also stand as a "Green Out" game to raise awareness for mental health. Spectators are asked to wear green to support the cause. Saturday's contest is set for 4 p.m. against the Cardinals in the Hawk Center, with SUNY New Paltz honoring its three seniors in a small ceremony pre-game.

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