Adams returns to the NCAA basketball tournament

                KEENE, N.H. 3/1/10 - Matt Adams is returning to the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament as a member of the coaching staff at the University of Rutgers-Newark.  The former Keene State player and assistant coach is in his first season as a graduate assistant with the Scarlet Raiders, who earned the program's first-ever NCAA berth on Monday.

                "I guess I brought them a little luck," said Adams, a Keene native.  "Everyone down here is really excited." 

                A four-year member of the Keene State men's basketball team (2003-07), Adams was on the 2006-07 Owl squad that advanced to the NCAA Sweet-16.  

                Rutgers-Newark (20-7) was one of three teams from the strong New Jersey Athletic Conference to receive an at-large bid to the national tournament.  "We have a senior-laden team with great athletes," said Adams.  "You have to be very good to survive in our league."

                Adams wears many hats for the Scarlet Raiders from laying out uniforms before the game to handling scouting and recruiting assignments. "It's been a great experience, joining a new coaching staff and learning a different style of basketball and a different philosophy on the fly," he said.

                Adams' work has drawn praise from Joe Loughran, now in his ninth season as the head coach at Rutgers-Newark.  "Matt's experience playing and coaching at Keene State under Rob Colbert has prepared him well for this opportunity," Loughran said.  "Having a person on your staff with that background is huge.  He fit in right away."

                Adams will be a big help preparing Rutgers-Newark for it opening-round NCAA tournament game.  The Scarlet Raiders will travel to Middlebury College where they will face Rhode Island College from the Little East Conference on Friday.   "His experience is obviously going to help us get ready for the game. He knows their personnel very well," said Loughran.

                "RIC ended so many of our seasons when I was at Keene State, so it will be nice to get some revenge," said Adams.

                Between scoring and recruiting trips, Adams says he's been keeping an eye on the Owls and likes what he sees.  "Rob has a talented group of young kids that are only going to get better," said Adams.  "It's not going to be long before they're on top of their league and back in the NCAA tournament picture."