Following a season that featured unexpected success, the Plattsburgh State Men’s basketball team is looking to do it all over again.
Last season, the Cardinals ended up first place overall in the SUNYAC, and took that momentum into the NCAA Division III tournament, where PSUC was put down in the third round.
The Cards had four seniors who graduated last year, including Eli Bryant, who capped off his career with his 1000th point in the regular-season finale against New Paltz.
This yeah, head coach Tom Curle is expecting big things out of senior Jonathan Patron.
“Last year, he showed us that he can step up when we need him,” Curle said. “We are looking for him to step into a leader role this season.”
Nick DeAngelis, who was featured heavily as PSUC’s sixth man last season, will most likely be stepping into the role of starting point guard now that Eli Bryant is gone.
DeAngelis, a junior from West Milford, New Jersey, has shown his ability to move the ball all over the outside, and able to get it to Patron on the inside when needed, but an underestimated talent of his is his ability to shoot three pointers.
Patron has shown his ability to play the five and the four. Patron’s play last year earned him the SUNYAC conference player of the year award. Patron was also named to the D3hoops.com Preseason All-American team.
“I worked out a lot over the summer to stay in shape. You gotta be able to move guys down on the paint,” Patron said.
The Cards’ starting lineup created a winning atmosphere last season, but players coming off the bench were able to make a lot of noise as well. Senior Brandon Johnson will be asked to carry more weight this season as a shooting guard. Senior Isaiah Hill, standing at 6 feet 7 inches, will most likely take care of the dirty work down in the paint.
PSUC kicks off the season next week with two road games and one at home. The season opener will be taking place next Tuesday, when the Cards go on the road to play Clarkson University.
The Cards will be home the next night for their home opener against Skidmore college.
The week ends on the road for the Cards, as they go to SUNY Canton on Friday for a matchup with the Kangaroos.
Email Alex Hoffman at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
