After a rebuilding year marked by youth and inconsistency, the university men’s basketball team enters this season with a reworked roster, a stronger defensive identity and early signs that the program is trending upward.
With only three players returning from last season’s rotation, the team has heavily relied on new contributors during preseason play, and the results have been promising.
The team opened the season with a competitive one-point loss to Cleveland State, a tough NCAA Division I team, followed by a 72–63 win over Earlham College in its home opener.
While the performance against Earlham was uneven, head coach Damon Goodman said the defensive effort was one of the most encouraging parts of the night.
“Even though we didn’t play well, we didn’t give up any transition buckets,” Goodman said. “When you do that, you give yourself a chance.”
The team has since maintained their hot start, improving to 3-0 after wins against Kenyon College and Adrian College.
During the game against Kenyon, the team trailed early, before ultimately triumphing in an 80–74 win.
This year, the team’s overall identity has shifted significantly due to the roster overhaul. Senior guard McKane Finkenbine, one of the few upperclassmen with game experience, said the transition has required patience. With so many first-years and transfers stepping into major roles, the team is still adapting to one another’s tendencies, speed and style of play.
“We really only have three guys from last year that got minutes,” Finkenbine said. “We’re pretty much a new team.”
Despite this, he said the talent level has increased and believes the group has the potential to grow quickly.
That improvement is rooted in one of the toughest preseasons in their league, according to players.
The team began training just weeks after move-in, with four days of lifting per week, multiple open gyms, conditioning sessions and high-intensity practices that aim to build toughness and discipline.
Finkenbine said the workload is demanding but prepares them for competition. “Practices are intense, but they prepare you,” he said. “Games are a lot easier than practice.”
Goodman echoed that intention, explaining that preseason sets the tone before the team shifts into in-season recovery and refinement.
One of the biggest challenges from last season was defensive inconsistency, especially in half-court settings. Goodman said the team has made defense a top priority throughout the fall. Additionally, he said that early preseason results show progress, particularly in reducing fast-break scoring.
Last season, the team had strong rebounding and shot-attempt numbers offensively but struggled with efficiency. With a new lineup learning to play together, some of those early issues have resurfaced, though Goodman expects improvement as the chemistry with the rookies develops.
Finkenbine said that despite the on-court adjustments, team chemistry remains one of the group’s defining strengths. New players are eased into the demanding environment, and the already accustomed seniors mesh well and support one another.
Many players live and spend time together off the court, contributing to stronger communication and accountability on the floor. “We’re all really close,” Finkenbine said. “We hang out every weekend, make jokes and get on each other when we need to, but it’s never personal.”
He added that the team embraces leadership across all class levels and that players challenge one another in a way that benefits the program.
As the team prepares for the bulk of its 25-game season, Goodman said the program’s goals are consistent with past years. “We expect to compete for championships,” he said. “The expectation is to put up a number on a banner.” With returning experience, new talent and an emphasis on defensive solidity, the squad believes they are positioned to improve significantly from last year’s record.
The men’s basketball team will continue building early-season momentum when it hosts Wittenberg University on Nov. 22.
