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Printer-Friendly ModeMen look to get back to tourney
November 5, 2007 —
This year's SVSU men's basketball team is all about looking forward. With a new coaching staff and some fresh faces in the locker room, the Cards are looking to make the GLIAC tournament for the first time in eight years.
"Our goal is to make it to the GLIAC tournament," said senior center Mike Zuiderveen. "We're very capable of doing that."
After last season's 11-14 record (8-10 in the GLIAC) the Cardinals were placed fifth in the GLIAC preseason poll. However, the men are confident they can put together a stronger season than that.
"Every game is important," junior guard Daunte Williams said. "We just want to focus on winning every game."
To do this, the Cardinals going to rely on a mix of new and old talent.
They will be returning last year's leading scorer and rebounder, junior guard Lawrence Ross, who averaged 17.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in the 2006-07 campaign.
"Lawrence is top five players in the league," coach Frankie Smith said.
However, he is the only returning starter from last year's team.
Despite the lack of returning players, Smith said he is happy with the way the team has come together in preseason practice.
"I really like our guys," Smith said. "They're working hard and they're busting their tails."
Zuiderveen, one of four other returning players, including Ross, is one of the players Smith says he's been happy with during fall practice.
"This has to be the greatest year of Mike's career has a student athlete," Smith. "I love his energy, and I love his attitude. He is a total team player."
Zuiderveen, who averaged 13.3 minutes per game last season, is looking at having an increased role this season.
"Mike has to step it up, but he's excited about it this year," Smith said. "I'm expecting a lot out of him at the center position."
Senior point guard Mario Mackey is one of the newcomers the coach Smith says the team is excited about.
"Mario will be running the point for us this year, and will be extremely important to our program," Smith said. "He's a very quick point guard that can really get to the basket and create for other players,"
Williams, a transfer from East Tennessee State University, is another of the teams 10 newcomers. Originally from Romulus High School, Smith says the junior guard is another player the team has high hopes for.
The Cardinals gave up 72.4 points per game last season, the third highest in the GLIAC.
As a result, better defense has been one of Smith's main points of emphasis this fall.
"There is no way we can have any success letting up that many points this year," Smith. "We need to get that down to between 60 and 65 points."
The team also talked about the importance of students and fans coming to support the program.
"Fans support is always huge," said Zuiderveen.
Williams agreed.
"They'll help out, and help us win if there are a lot of fans out there watching."