By Rachel Morse, Staff Writer
The men’s and women’s basketball teams are practicing for their first games of the season.
While it’s still early, men’s Coach Dionne Phelps said he feels good about the upcoming season.
“These guys are buying into the system,” he said. “On the court and off the court, they are supporting and encouraging each other.”
Teamwork will be necessary in facing upcoming challenges, Phelps said.
“With any program or team, in moments of adverse situations, it’s the team that helps you get through those tough times,” he said.
Phelps became the head coach in April, coming from The University of Oklahoma in Norman, after Coach Kevin Morrissey announced he would not return to the position.
As a new coach, Phelps said he isn’t sure what the team needs to improve yet, but he will evaluate later in the season.
“You never really know where you are until December or January,” he said.
Upcoming games include a scrimmage on Oct. 15 and the first game of the season at 2 p.m. Oct. 29 against Dallas Baptist University in Abe Lemons in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.
Highlight games will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 against University of North Texas in Denton and at 4 p.m. Nov. 19 in Our Lady of the Lake tournament in San Antonio.
“We want to know anything we can do to get students to come,” he said.
Senior Guard Matthew Moore said he is ready for the season.
“I think it’s going to be a great season, but will take a lot of hard work,” he said.
The women’s basketball team is in preseason conditioning, Coach Rob Edmisson said.
“I feel like this team has the chance to be really successful,” he said.
Edmisson said he won’t deviate from past game plans.
“We have a plan, a purpose and a philosophy that has allowed us to win 85 percent of games,” he said. “The ‘X’ factor is in the chemistry.”
This year’s standout games will be Nov. 6 against Texas A&M University and at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
“We would love to find a way to get more kids to games,” he said.
