After a successful season last year, the Norwich men’s basketball team has set high goals for this year, according to the head basketball coach.
“It’s real simple, we expect them to work hard every day,” said Paul Booth, head basketball coach. “If they can do that, only positive things will happen.”
The team finished last year with a 13-13 record with four losses in the conference. This year it is looking to change that. After a devastating loss against Emerson in overtime the team is looking for revenge.
“Emerson has always been a rival,” said Josh Cabrera, 20, a junior math major from Providence, R.I.
Emerson is not the only team on the Cadets’ list of teams to beat. Cabrera mentions both Albertus Magnus and Lassel as two tough competitors.
“We lost a couple real close, tough games to teams like Albertus Magnus,” said Jon Rock, assistant basketball coach. “We would like to see them and get over the hump.”
“We need to work on defense and the little turnovers that can cost you a game,” said Cori Boston, 26, a senior communications major from Boston, Mass.
“Right now the guys play open gym a couple nights a week, they are in the weight room three to four nights a week, so they have that structure kind of on their own,” Rock said.
Because lots of students are participating in open gym, coaches estimate that this year could have a large group at tryouts.
“This may be one of the largest years we have ever had,” said Booth. “I think in our preseason meeting there were upwards of 28 to 30 guys coming out for the team.”
The NU team has a lot of juniors and seniors coming back, all of whom the coaches are expecting to lead the team.
“Josh Cabrera, who is our team captain this year, is one we are looking at really stepping up this year and take on that leadership role and help the young guys out,” Rock said.
Booth also has players he is looking to step up. “We have several returning leading scorers. Jaren (Jeffcoat), Cori, and Antonio (Davis) are all returning leading scorers and for us to take that next step up, they have to take that next step up as well.”
Another interesting aspect are the international students who have come to play.
“It’s going to be real interesting. We have a young man from Holland who is a really interesting player and a nice player,” Booth said. “It’s interesting to add an international flavor to our team and that’s something we have never really had here before.”
The players are also excited.
“It’s pretty cool because we have never had a really tall player who can pass as well or catch as well as he can down low. So it is pretty cool,” Cabrera said.
But no matter how many international players or returning juniors and seniors a team has, a team must be able to mesh and get along.
“You are always going to have your little problems within your team and for the most part we are really close,” Boston said. “I think this is the closest we have ever been.”
After struggling with some injuries last year, the team is looking for a fresh start. Now that all of the big players are back they can focus on what really needs to be done.
“There are always bumps and bruises that are going to happen,” Rock said. “Hopefully with all the work they are doing with Coach Kruger and in practices we can stay away from those nagging injuries and the big injuries as well.”
The Cadets kick off the season with a scrimmage on Oct. 30 but the real action starts with the first official game on Nov. 15 against Southern Vermont College.
“I am so excited! I can’t wait for the season to start,” Cabrera said.