DETROIT -- Tuesday night looked like just another game against an average Horizon League opponent, but for the Detroit Titans, it might have been the perfect preparation for March Madness.
On paper, the 14-14 (4-10 Horizon League) Loyola Ramblers appeared to be an easy victory for the 18-10 (10-4 Horizon League) Titans.
But the Titans, who had a nine-point lead at halftime, found themselves trailing by as many as three points with 2:18 to play and a lot on the line.
A win meant the Titans could still clinch a second-place finish in the league, which would guarantee a bye into the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament.
The Titans trailed 75-74 with 9.2 seconds to go when junior Jason Calliste took the ball, held it at the top of the key for some anxious moments, then drove to the basket for the winning layup.
Getting that confidence at this point in the season can only help the Titans as they prepare for not only the Horizon League Tournament, but also another chance at the Big Dance, the NCAA Tournament.
"We know that we're going to get every team's best game," said junior Ray McCallum, who had a team-high 22 points. "This will definitely prepare us for the tournament because from this point out, everyone's fighting for their season to stay alive.
"After this week, it's really do or die. This was big for our team to show you've got to keep playing to the end. Anything can happen.
Coach Ray McCallum, who has helped build the Titans into a perennial Horizon League contender, said the Ramblers had nothing to lose and gave them all they could handle.
"It was a game that we could have lost," Coach McCallum said. "There was play after play that we had to make to get this win.
"We'll have a lot of things to point to to grow as a team. It's important as you head into March that you continue to get better and grow if you want to win a championship. We're in a race."
After the game, the Titans got good news. UIC defeated Wright State, 60-55, which meant the Titans clinched second place in the league and will get a bye to the semifinals.
McCallum knows that doesn't necessarily guarantee the Titans will win.
"Last year, we had to go the hard way, which is fine," McCallum said. "This team's capable of doing that. But we had to win four games to win the championship. That takes a lot of energy out of you.
"Last year's team, we were able to sustain our energy and find a way to pull it out. This year, we can have the No. 2 seed and have a bye to the semifinals."
Getting that week off will help because players like Juwan Howard Jr. will have more time to get his hip healthy. Plus, the other players will get some rest, but not too much rest.
"You want to stay sharp, and you have to stay hungry," Coach McCallum said. "You can't get soft, so we'll be pushing them in practice."
Nick Minnerath, who along with Doug Anderson was honored Tuesday for Senior Night, has scored at least 21 points in each of his last four games, including 34 points against Cleveland State Feb. 12, missed the tournament last year due to injury.
This year Minnerath wants to help his team reach greater heights while on the floor, rather than cheering from the bench in street clothes.
"Coming into the end of the season, the last two years we've clicked at the right time," Minnerath said. "No better time than right before the tournament."
McCallum said watching Minnerath come back strong from his knee injury and do the things he's done this season has inspired the whole team, which is something else that can help them as they head into March.
"There's not a morning where you don't see Nick in here working in the weight room, doing rehab, working on his shot," McCallum said. "I think it's really paid off. Him scoring and being so aggressive on both ends has really been huge for our team because it opens up everything for everyone.
"He's just playing like a senior, like he doesn't want his season to end and we're just really trying to follow his lead."
