After Losing 13 Seniors in Last Two Seasons, Men’s Basketball Looks to Find its Identity
The Waynesburg University men’s basketball team moves into a new season coming off a
10-16 record last year.
In the new season, like every other season, the team looks to develop into better players, said head coach Mark Christner.
“Our expectation moving into the season is that we’ll develop into the best version of ourselves throughout the year,” said Christner. “We’ve been an upper-half program in our league over the past three years and we want to continue to grow as a program.”
Although the Yellow Jackets finished 10-16 last year, they were able to bounce back from a six-game losing streak early in the season after starting out 0-6. The team’s chemistry this season may help them avoid another 0-6 start at the outset of the 2016-17 season.
“We have a good vibe through our program right now,” said Christner. “The balance of class on our roster is not something we’ve had the last two years. We’ve been very senior oriented in years past, as we’ve graduated 13 guys in two years.”
This young group of Yellow Jackets may be able to help boost the team to a successful season.
Entering the season, the Yellow Jackets bring in two transfer students, junior forward Marcus Wallace and another junior forward Mike Nugent.
“The transition has been fairly easy,” said Wallace. “Coach is expecting me to be more vocal since I’ve already played two years.”
Despite the difference in age, Christner said both the freshmen and the transfers have a common ground.
“We have six freshmen and two transfers,” said Christner. “They are going through similar stages of life together and they seem to get along.”
By spending meals together, freshman guard Frank Bozicevic said the team has developed a strong dynamic.
“We clicked right off the bat,” said Bozicevic. “We’re all hanging out every day and going to lunch together so we’re pretty good as far as team chemistry goes.”
Going into this season, the team’s strengths, as well as weaknesses, have been identified by players and coaches alike.
“The team strengths are the versatility and athleticism of our players,” said Christner. “We might not be as tall this season as we have been, but I think we are more athletic in terms of our ability to defend and rebound.”
Due to the difference in height, Wallace said the team will be faster on the court.
“We’re a smaller team, so we’re going to be quicker than other teams,” said Wallace. “We play hard, that’s a strength that we have; we never give up.”
The Yellow Jackets are predicted to finish seventh out of 10 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
“The work ethic of our team is solid,” said Christner. “Our two seniors, Timmy Kaiser and Christian Koroly have done a nice job of setting the tone for how hard we have to work to be successful.”
The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets begin their season against the Muskingum University Muskies Saturday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. at home.
Muskingum finished last season at 6-19, and 3-15 in conference play.