The Siena Heights men's basketball team is set to open their 2017-18 season on Monday, Nov. 6, against Trinity Christian. The non-conference contest is slated for 7:30 in Adrian, Mich. Later in the week they will face Spring Arbor for a regular season contest, followed by Central Michigan and Western Michigan in exhibition games.
Last season the Saints went 16-15 overall and 10-12 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, making it to the WHAC Tournament Quarterfinal where they fell to then No. 2 Cornerstone.
When discussing this season's expectations, head coach Joe Pechota talks about how he breaks the 30 game season into three 10 game seasons, helping the team to focus on their goals for that certain portion of the season. "As this group grows and continues to form its identity and become the team it's going to be it will be important to focus on individual games compared to the big picture season," says Pechota.
The team has four seniors this year, including Carter Drazga, Tony Jackson II, Marques Robinson and Trevor Holston. Pechota discussing the team's leadership roles, "Jackson is emerging as well as Holston and Nick Randle. Helping those guys how to lead and what it takes to lead, identifying their leadership styles to help them will help us find success this season."
In the 2016-17 season, Jerrell Martin led the team in points and is now playing professionally in Argentina. Jackson earned 331 points last season to average 10.7 points per game and managed 4.7 rebounds per game. Josh Winowiecki had a total of 229 points while averaging 5.5 rebounds per game. As a team, the Saints went 778-1796 (.433) overall, 160-513 (.312) behind the arc and 467-643 (.726) from the free throw line.
"Nick has made his mark in the league while a lot of people will look to Trevor and he's had a really good fall so far. PJ Austin, Jon Hovermale and Kevin Smith will stand out as guards. The guard play looks to be better than last year, we've struggled shooting from the perimeter and this year we should be better at that," says Pechota discussing his top returners for this season. "Keith Jordan has a chance to break through this season as a sophomore. We're going to guard and be physical, and we're going to rebound."
When talking about important games this upcoming season, Pechota mentions WHAC play, "Our league play is going to be interesting. I think the league is going to be as competitive as it's been since I've been here [at SHU]. Everybody's growing and everybody's gunning for everybody else. Every game is big, really."
With the season starting soon, Pechota again discusses the team dynamics, "I'm anxious for this group to come out and formulate and establish their own identity. It's going to be a vastly different group that I've had since I've been here. It's just a matter of guys coming in everyday working on the right habits and putting in the time and the work. I think if we do that, compete with the energy and urgency that we have, I think we'll be ok."
Siena Heights starts the season with an eighth place ranking in the WHAC Preseason Poll.
