Queens University rallies around Buddy the Dog in NCAA tournament

Scheduled Tribe. Lewis – when Queens University Coach Grant Leonard took the stage Thursday afternoon, accompanied by him.

Well, more specifically, he had Buddy.

To the right of the microphone sat a hollow replica of a German Shepherd dog, with a jeweled collar and “B” necklace around its neck. Throughout the Queens’ run to the NCAA Men’s Tournament in their first year of eligibility, Buddy has served as the team’s unofficial mascot. As the 15-seed Royals prepare to face the 2-seed Purdue On Friday in St. Louis, there’s a reason Leonard called Buddy the team’s “spirit animal.”

“We like [the players] “Take the street dog mentality of fighting for whatever you can get,” Leonard said.

Technically, Buddy is a trophy. After each game, the award is given to the Queens player who does things that do not count in the box score but are integral to the team’s success, such as taking a charge or diving on the floor for loose balls. This season, the private school, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, finished third in the American Sun Conference during the regular season, but earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament after an overtime win over Central Arkansas in the league championship game.

To be more precise, the dog that will be on the floor of Enterprise Arena is Buddy II. According to Leonard, Buddy I was “injured” during a post-game celebration after a loss to Queens in January Florida Gulf Coast.

Acquired through Amazon, Buddy goes everywhere with the team. redshirt freshman guard Matthew WalterA reserve on the team’s bench, he is his unofficial caretaker who is tasked with duties such as escorting Buddy through the airport.

The team has embraced what Buddy has come to represent.

“Dude, he’s definitely been our identity,” the Queens second-year guard. Yoav Berman Said. “We’ll go out and play hard every game.”

Leonard said that last summer, the coaching staff was trying to instill that feeling in the players, who then responded that “they were dogs.” Queens assistant coach Adam Short, who has been nicknamed the Bulldogs, was then asked a follow-up question: Were they pampered dogs or the type of dog that could make a living playing idle games?

The Royals (21-13) hope to get a big upset over Purdue (27-8), winners of the Big Ten Tournament and a team that still has key players from the 2024 team that lost in the national championship game.

Queens Senior Guard Nasir Maan That said, the team’s versatility and shooting depth throughout the roster could help the Royals’ chances of an upset.

“Our ability to shoot and create space on the floor,” Mann said. “Everyone on our team can shoot the ball at a very good clip. I think that’s a very dangerous thing. You can get hot at any time, especially in March Madness. That’s when miracles really happen.”

Although Friday’s game at the Enterprise Center will begin, Buddy will be nearby. He’ll get a seat near the team’s water cooler, hoping to be a part of a historic celebration in St. Louis.