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GREENSBORO — A casual observer at Guilford College would never know the men’s basketball team was on its way Wednesday morning to the NCAA Division III Final Four.

It wasn’t apparent in the early noise on campus. The loudest buzz belonged to construction vehicles.

It wasn’t even evident when driver Doyle Batten pulled Holiday Tours bus No. 405 in front of the athletics center, nor when assistant coach Nick Pendergraft drove his red Monte Carlo up behind it to unload cases of water and other supplies for the trip.

And it certainly wasn’t evident in junior Martin Stephenson, who strode into the center — Chick-fil-A drink and bag in hand — and ate breakfast 30 minutes before the team was to leave for Salem, Va., where the Quakers will play Williams College on Friday.

There was no hooting, hollering, chest-bumping and back-slapping. Instead, the team exhibited a quiet dignity that comes with being a small Quaker school focused on academics.

At the same time, Guilford College has managed to build up its basketball program in recent years such that it reached No. 1 in the NCAA Division III poll for the first time this season, finished third in the regular season and is going to the Division III Final Four for the second consecutive year.

“They are gentlemen,” remarked Paul Coscia, Guilford’s interim student financial services director, as he watched the team leave late Wednesday morning.

But make no mistake about it. The players are in it to win it.

“Our biggest goal is to focus on our game on Friday,” Pendergraft said. “If we look anything past Friday, we’re going to come up short.”

One by one, the guys — dressed in T-shirts, hoodies and sweatpants — walked to the bus to unload their carry-on bags and Sunday best.

The day started out like any other for most of them. Some had class; others slept until it was time to leave.

Senior Rhett Bonner’s day started with a quick trip to Winston-Salem to pick up dress clothing from his dad.

“Mom don’t want me looking bad in front of everybody,” Bonner said.

Anything else Mama might have forgotten, Guilford College faculty and staff took care of. A small group gathered in front of the athletics center for the send-off, and most bore goodies.

Joyce Eaton brought Gatorade and cookies, courtesy of President Kent Chabotar’s office.

Admissions staff member Shelley George ran to a team member boarding the bus and gave him a zip-locked bag of chocolate chip cookies.

Administrative assistant Louise Boothby brought a double batch of cookies — and a prediction.

“This time we’re going for it,” Boothby said as she waited for the bus to leave. “It’s going to happen.”

Randy Doss, vice president for enrollment services, shared her enthusiasm.

“You never take this stuff for granted,” he said.

Doss, a former Guilford College baseball player, was a one-man pep squad.

He showered the team with “Good luck guys,” “Proud of you, guys,” and “Have some fun,” as they settled on the bus.

Before boarding, head coach Tom Palombo — looking more like a player than a coach in his team track suit — turned to the small crowd with a wave and a “thank you” for the show of support.

But Doss, wearing a tie with Guilford College emblazoned on it, wasn’t done. He gathered the team and onlookers in front of the bus for a photograph. They held the Guilford College banner and each hoisted one finger.

Now, they were ready.

At the toot of the horn, the group erupted into applause.

“Go get ’em!”

“No. 1!”

“Git-R-Done!”

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 373-7080 or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com