Following back-to-back playoff appearances and first round wins, the 2024-25 season is all about getting back to the tournament and making a deep run.
The start of that run begins tonight at 7 p.m. when Carolina Christian comes to Swartz Gym.
After losing players to the transfer portal last season, Head Coach Patrick Corrigan and his staff went out and got half a dozen players to add to the squad.
“We added a lot of great transfers that can help join those five returners that played a lot of minutes,” Corrigan said. “We lay out to our recruits that this is the best D-III league in the country, and every night is a battle. We also let them know that we have good returners and that everything is earned and won’t be given to them.”
When everyone came back to campus this fall, Corrigan said the offseason was competitive.
“We’ve worked really hard in the weight room, they all played in summer leagues, and all came back in great shape,” Corrigan said. “At this level, you need self-motivated guys that are hungry. The guys that have stayed have all improved and have already helped the transfers coming in to understand the level we want to play at.”
Going into the year, the point of entry for the team has been defending and rebounding.
“We were top six in rebound margin and held teams to 42% from the field and 31% from three,” Corrigan said. “We were 2-7 in close games last year. If you don’t defend and rebound, we won’t get back to the tournament. The next step is executing in those big moments and get over the hump and win those close games.”
As the season tips off tonight, Corrigan highlighted seniors Bryant Wall, Zavier Measmer, and Charles Tart III, and juniors Alfredo Abel-Rivera, and Sterling Charles.
“The returners have all been very good, and I want to let the newcomers paint their own story,” Corrigan said. “We have a lot of guys that have ability, and it’s created competition at practice. It has been a great mix of returners and newcomers making each other better every day.”
Following the season opener, the Panthers will play three more games at home.
Corrigan hopes they can make a statement by winning all four in front of the home crowd.
“We strive to play well in front of our home fans and community. Once we go on break, we don’t get that, so we try to schedule as many home games to make sure we can bring everyone together,” Corrigan said. “There’s definitely a home court advantage here. Last year we were 10-2 at home, so we always feel the energy from the crowd, and our guys thrive under it.”
With tip-off hours away, Corrigan described a different level of focus around his team.
“They’re tired of playing each other every day. There has been a new level of focus, competitiveness, and accountability,” Corrigan said. “Going through the scouting reports and creating a game plan brings a lot more purpose and drives the guys to be prepared to compete.
But in the final ODAC season, the team has their eyes set on winning it all on their way out.
“Not one of the 13 teams in our league play for second. We approach everyday with that in the back of our minds,” Corrigan said. “We understand we are playing against the best in the country and have respect for them, but we have expectations and belief in ourselves that we can do it.”
