"Bucknell is a special place that combines a real commitment to the student-athletes, academics and a chance to win the Patriot League

championship and in the NCAA tournament.

"I know I inherit a tradition-rich program from Pat."

The two-time D-III national coach of the year and leader of the 2003 D-III national champions, Paulsen is not unfamiliar with the Patriot

League.

His Ephs sent shock waves through the PL in December 2003 when they beat host Holy Cross, Bucknell's main rival.

It came on the heels of Williams' national title run.

"Nothing will top winning the national championship," Paulsen said.

"But in some ways, we received more notoriety, more national press by going into Worcester and knocking off Holy Cross.

"It was really phenomenal, really emotional."

Paulsen and Flannery have similar philosophies in one major area: defense.

Both have made it a priority in their plan for program success. The Bison annually were among the nation's best defensive teams in recent

years under Flannery. Paulsen was 170-53 in his time at Williams.

"He used a matchup and me, probably 98 percent man-to-man," Paulsen said. "But we both like to attack the game. You've got to make it hard

for teams to score."