November 13, 2008

Division I men's basketball newcomer Bryant aiming for upsets

By PAUL KENYON
Journal Sports Writer

SMITHFIELD - Chris Birrell is going to be more than a basketball player this winter. He and his Bryant University teammates are going to be trailblazers.

"We've got an opportunity to be on the first team ever at Bryant to do something like this. It's a great opportunity for us to make a name for Bryant," said Birrell, the Bulldogs' starting point guard. "We're the pioneers."

For each of the last five seasons, Bryant has played well enough to qualify for the NCAA Division II tournament. The team reached the title game in 2005. It proved it could more than handle itself against Northeast-10 and national Division II competition. The basketball team was part of a program that won 78 percent of its contests in 22 intercollegiate sports.

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