Men’s College Basketball

Bragging rights for small college men’s basketball supremacy in Bangor will be on the line Wednesday night when Colby College welcomes Husson College to the Wadsworth Gym (7:30 p.m.).

Wait a minute….

Colby is located in Waterville. How can bragging rights for Bangor be on the line?

Because Colby’s Bangor Connection – senior White Mule center Paul Butler, Bangor High School class of ’89, and junior guard Chip Clark, Bangor High class of ’90 – would like nothing better than to have a little chuckle at Bangor-based Husson’s expense when they come home for Christmas break.

“I’d like to have bragging rights with Neil Waterman,” said Butler, referring to the friendly relationship he has had for years with Husson’s veteran assistant coach. “We won the first two years. They beat us last year. This one is big.”

“There’s a little extra incentive,” agreed Clark, noting he too is on a friendly basis with Husson Coach Bruce MacGregor, Waterman, and Braves assistant Warren Caruso. “I’ve known those coaches for a long time. It’s fun for me to play against Husson.”

Colby Coach Dick Whitmore, whose squad is off to a 3-0 start, is simply happy to have two such capable representatives of Bangor hoop playing for him and not against him.

“Both of those young men are playing extremely hard and very effectively for us,” said Whitmore, now in his 23rd season at Colby.

Butler has established himself as Colby’s team leader. The 6-foot-6, second-year starter is averaging 14.7 points and 11 rebounds per game, up from 10 points and 9.9 rebounds last year. He’s shooting 61 percent from the floor and 86 percent from the foul line. He even hit a 3-pointer to beat the Lithuanian National team in preseason.

“I’ve gotten more looks this year,” Butler said, noting last year’s scoring leaders – John Daileanes and John Rimas – graduated. “We’re more balanced offensively this year. I think we averaged 65 shots a game last season and those two guys took more than half. So it makes sense the shots are more spread around.”

Whitmore agrees Butler’s scoring chances have increased, but the coach said scoring comes third on the list of his center’s duties.

“He’s the fulcrum, he sets the tone in practices and game situations and the team has responded tremendously to him. He’s more of a defined option (offensively), but what he gives us is defense and rebounding. In those areas, he’s competitive with anyone in Div. III in the country,” Whitmore said.

While Butler has been controlling the paint and igniting Colby’s running game with his rebounding and outlet passing, Clark has exploded onto the scene as a scorer.

Last season, the 5-10 role-player averaged 8.7 points per game. This season as a starter at the two, or off guard, he’s averaging 16.7 points per game on 65 percent shooting accuracy (including 6-for-12 on 3-pointers).

“I’m not sure there’s really any difference except that we’re a lot more balanced this year,” is how Clark explains his emergence.

Whitmore disagrees.

“Chip is one of many guys we’ve had in the program who have consistently improved every year.”

Butler attributes Clark’s rise to the guard’s physical training and maturity.

“More than anyone I’ve played with, he’s developed physically. You wouldn’t recognize him from his sophomore to his junior year. I think he’s our best athlete from end line to end line,” said Butler.

In addition to the Bangor Connection, Colby starts 5-11 sophomore Matt Gaudet of Rumford at point guard, 6-7 senior Rob Carbone of Boothbay at power forward, and 6-1 sophomore Greg Walsh of North Attleboro, Mass., at guard in the three-guard attack.

Top bench contributors are 5-10 senior guard Jason Dorion of Bath, 6-4 junior forward Gary Bergeron of Derry, N.H., 6-2 junior swingman Glenn McCrum of Portland, and 6-6 freshman David Stephens of Dover, Mass., at center.

Having attained the ECAC New England Div. III championship game four of the last five years (winning twice), the Mules are gunning for a return trip.