The Morrisville State College men’s basketball team is making final preparations as they approach the beginning of the upcoming season.
Coming off the program’s best ever NCAA record of 19-8, including a 14-1 mark in conference action, the Mustangs are looking to build on that success in 2012-13 and knows that they have to remain focused as each game approaches, starting Friday.
With a strong core of nine returning from last year’s North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Championship squad, fourth year head coach Joseph Smith said that the staff has worked hard in the offseason to “increase depth and size at each position.”
Morrisville State returns three of five starters from last season, including all-conference selections Kucjok Ater (Syracuse, N.Y. / Bishop Grimes) and Brandon Hanks (Syracuse, N.Y. / Henninger), to an offense that on average posted 3.5 points more than opponents along with a +3.5 rebound margin.
Smith added that with the returning class having gained valuable playing experience last season and the expectation of several newcomers to contribute right away, it will be a struggle to focus on any one specific player.
“We’ve made some changes in the offseason.” Smith said, “The addition of our recruited class has positioned the team to become more aggressive defensively, while utilizing a balanced offensive attack system.”
The 2012-13 season schedule bears a tough non-conference line-up against teams from Clarkson, Keystone, Hartwick and Hamilton College that is designed to prepare the Mustangs for a challenging and very competitive league schedule starting in December.
Morrisville State opens the year at the SUNY Oswego Tip-Off Tournament against Medgar Evers on Friday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. in Oswego.
On Tuesday, Nov. 20 Morrisville State opens the home schedule on the newly renovated court against Clarkson at 7 p.m.