Men's basketball has new players, finding right rotatioins, right mix

Last year the Norwich men's basketball team ended its season with an even record of 13-13. This year it started off the season slow, but improved to a 3-2 record.

"We're having our up and downs right now," said Captain Antonio Davis, 20, a physical education major from Albany, N.Y. "But it's early in the season, we're trying to figure out the right rotations and get the right mix."

The team lost its first game against Southern Vermont, 82-77.

"That first game was a tough one," said Ryan Williams, 21, a communications major from Dallas, Texas. "We did not really play together, but yet we kept it close. Once we get our chemistry clicking, it's going to be scary."

The Cadets got their first win in a Thanksgiving tournament against the host team, Western New England, beating WNEC 76-74 and taking third place.

"I feel like that we had a real good chance of winning the whole tournament," says Davis. "But I'm glad (after taking the first loss against Trinity) we came back and got our first win going into the Thanksgiving break."

"We showed in that game, early, how good we are," said Pim Smulders, 21, a business management major from The Netherlands. "We almost gave up the game, but we fought through adversity and believed in ourselves, and got the win."

According to Davis, the team's ultimate goal is to win a conference title, GNAC, and get a bid for the National Tournament. 

The team has total of 16 players. Eight are new faces, seven freshmen, and eight returners.

"Our role as freshmen is to first handle our academics, practice hard every day," said Tommy MacDonald, 19, a communications major from Groton, Mass. "And when we are in the game, be ready to contribute, and give it our all."

The team practices every day for about two and half hours.

"The practices are pretty intense," said Smulders. "We push each other hard every day to get ready mentally and physically for the next game."

With many new faces and returners, the team's chemistry off the court is "much better than last year," according to Davis.

"I personally look up to all the upperclassmen," said MacDonald. "I'm always trying to learn from them and when I see them doing something right, I too want to do the right thing."

"As returners, we need to step it up in practice and in the game," said Williams. "Also show the younger guys how to play Norwich basketball."