Men’s basketball looking to complete some unfinished business

The first game for the squad is on Nov. 7. They will go head-to-head at an away game with the University of California, Irvine. Photo by SIMRAH AHMAD, staff photographer 

Coming off of a stellar season last year with 22 wins and five losses, the men’s basketball squad is looking to get back to the conference finals this year after losing last year to Pomona-Pitzer. 

Coming off of a stellar season last year with 22 wins and five losses, the men’s basketball squad is looking to get back to the conference finals this year after losing last year to Pomona-Pitzer. 

Reminiscing on that experience, Anthony Smith, a senior strategic and corporate communication major talked with The Panther about last season and goals for this year. 

“I think last season was a successful season although we didn't win the conference championship. Twenty-two games is really impressive,” said Smith, a forward who averaged 10 points per game last season for the Panthers. 

Daniel Foldes, a senior business administration major, is looking to make his mark after last season.

“I think we had a good squad. We had an older team last year,” said Foldes, a forward who averaged almost two rebounds per game. “The guys are very athletic and hungry. I think we had a good team just because we have the young energy in the new guys and the IQ in the veterans.” 

Both Foldes and Smith are captains this year for the team and were reflective on what the group can do this year to get back and hopefully win the conference championships.

“Last year, we found ourselves down a lot in some games early,” Smith said. “We had to fight back, which we did successfully. I think this year just maybe starting games with being more attentive and trying to get up early.”

Foldes agreed with that sentiment and also felt that the team could apply the lessons learned from the previous season. 

Looking forward to this season, Smith shared the team's goal and overall feeling for this upcoming year. 

“As a team, (we want to) get back to the conference championship and win it this time,” Smith said. “Also, (we want to) hopefully make a deeper run in the NCAA tournament and make sure that we knock games out in the beginning of the tournament to make it further.”

With both Foldes and Smith being senior captains, they were reflective of their favorite memories they’ve had as they enter their final season as a Panther. 

“Last year, our away game against California Lutheran. They were undefeated, and we had one loss. It was a pretty big game,” Smith said. “The fans of Cal Lutheran were talking a lot of trash. I think that was a game we really wanted to win, and we kind of went in there hard. We won and then in the locker room we had a huge party.”

The first game for the squad is on Nov. 7. They will go head-to-head at an away game with the University of California, Irvine.

“When I look back to the seasons it comes down to just hanging with the guys and enjoying our time on the court together,” Foldes said. “These are moments we will cherish for the rest of our lives.”