Twenty win seasons are one of the benchmarks for successful college basketball programs. The Mercer Bears are in that class for the first time since 2003.
Bob Hoffman's team is in the midst of a three-game road swing. On Thursday they continued their preparations for this weekend's trip south, which includes visits to Jacksonville and North Florida.
Last Friday they grabbed win number 20 with a gutsy 61-57 performance at Kennesaw State. In the process they extended their current run to nine games.
Hoffman credits his team's consistency, in the midst of a battle for first place with Belmont (both 12-2 in the Atlantic Sun) that has lasted since January 21st.
"For our guys to stand up to the challenge every night out to this point, winning nine in a row, that's a huge element in our success, in what we've been able to accomplish to this point," Hoffman said.
"It's a lot of fun keeping up especially with them who were supposed to kind of run away with the league," sophomore guard Bud Thomas said. "To be able to hold our own and be right there with them for such a long time it's real exciting."
The Bears go for 10 straight wins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Jacksonville, before taking on North Florida Monday at 7:00 p.m.