INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM: KNIGHTS GEAR UP FOR POSTSEASON PLAY
Randolph, Vt: The Vermont Tech Men's basketball team finished their season with a convincing win over Paul Smith College 98-61.
Season Overview
The Knights finish a strong season with a record of 21-7. 4 of those losses coming at the hands of NCAA D3, USCAA D1, and NAIA D1 opponents. Knights went 4-1 against NCAA D3 opponents, 2-1 against NAIA opponents and 1-2 againt USCAA D1 opponents. For the first time since joining the USCAA the Knights finish the season undefeated at home (11-0).
In the conference the Knights are entering the YSCC tourney as the #2 seed with a 13-3 record. Winning 8 of their last 9 games. VTC will host the Great Bay C.C. Herons in the YSCC elite 8. GBCC handed the Knights a shocking lose in the first semester in Portsmouth. VTC was able to redeem that lost with a 91-68 on the Feb. 1st.
Inside the Locker room Q&A:
Whats your thoughts about what you guys were able to accomplish this season?
Coach Jamal Hughes: " Very proud of my guys and how they represent the college on and off the court. We definitely didn't have a easy home schedule this year, so for us to go undefeated at home is a great accomplishment. We also didn't have much of a break. We traveled to Florida 2 days after Christmas playing 3 games against 2 really good teams, we spent our New Years there and I believe it made us closer because we were 1600 miles away from our campus and all we had was each other. To come back from that trip and win 12 of the next 13 makes me feel real confident about our chances going forward."
How do you feel about the season the Knights had and what's your thought going into the postseason?
Junior Guard, Jeremiah Shaw: "We faced a lot of adversity with Coach Al leaving before the season. After all, he was the reason we came here. The transition into having Coach Hughes was an easy adjustment. He understood all of our personal and team goals and established great relationships early on. We remained discipline and he emphasized the importance of camaraderie."
"Ending this season 21-7 and undefeated at home is a great accomplishment for our team. However, the excitement for those accolades are short lived. We have unfinished business that needs to be completed and thats a conference and national championship. Our record is now 0-0 going into the postseason and our only goal is to go undefeated from now on. With that mindset we will believe we will get to that ultimate goal."
The Knights have played 11 teams that are considered higher than USCAA D2. How do you think that will benefit you guys going into postseason play?
Senior guard, Dajuan Johnson: " It benefits us in a major way. Those 11 games tell you one thing about us, we're battle tested. In all of those games our focus was sharper. Most we won and the losses were very valuable lessons. At this point, we don't have any questions marks about ourselves. We came 1 game short of the national championship game, so we know whats on the line."
What level of focus must the team have entering the postseason?
Senior Guard, Trekel Douglas: " It takes a huge amount of focus because teams are usually peaking during this time and there is a ton of film to scout thats available. After that it's about who can stay disciplined the longest in their team values."
After making a great run last season, do you fell like you guys have a target on your back?
Junior Guard, Drake Perry: " I feel like there is a huge target since we have our core group back, and teams know how good we have been playing recently. Teams have had us marked on their calenders all year."
