After a 64-63 loss last season in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight quarterfinals to eventual champions Western Washington, the Mustangs are prepared to go even further this season.
“We hope to win a national championship this year,” said Nelson Haggerty, head men’s basketball coach. “We want to be able to get to a point where we can compete to win.”
Haggerty said the team is prepared to win.
Although there aren’t any returning starters from last season, the other returning players and recruits offer a lot of experience to the team.
“We have a couple freshmen, a few sophomores and a really heavy junior class,” said Haggerty. “Despite only having four seniors, we have a lot of experience in that junior class.”
The team has five returning players, including three seniors, and nine newcomers.
A handful of the recruits are either from a junior college or have played Division I Basketball.
“We have a good group,” said Haggerty. “We are pretty balanced.”
With a reasonable percentage of new players, the coaching staff is spending a lot of time getting the team familiar with the Mustangs’ style of play.
With new players coming from different programs, there’s a transition that takes place, Haggerty said.
“Everyone has to understand our style of play, things we believe are important on the floor, getting to know me on and off the floor and me getting to know the players and finding different ways to motivate and help them in the process,” he said.
According to Haggerty, the current team is characterized by athleticism, strict defense and impressive scoring ability.
Compared to previous MSU teams, the Mustangs are more skilled around the basket at the forward position.
Newcomers Corbin Thomas and Eddie D’Haiti are expected to play a big role at this position.
Haggerty cited Thomas’ strong, athletic and tough play around the basket and his ability to score underneath, as well as D’Haiti’s size (6’8”), skilled shooting and rebounding ability as assets to the team.
Adding more depth to the Mustangs is returning sophomore Matt Gallagher.
The 6’8” forward has had good playing experience and is ready to step in and play.
Haggerty said he likes where the team’s guards are at this season.
“Each team is different,” he said. “Even when you have guys come back, each year is always different and you’re never quite the same team that you were, and that’s the challenge with this team.”
Returning players Kevin Grayer and Derrell Gibbs anticipate a great season as guards.
Grayer played really well last season and is expected to build on the momentum he built last season.
“Grayer had a very good post season for us,” said Haggerty. “He was all-tournament team in the regional tournament.”
Although Gibbs played as a freshman last season, he displayed great potential, thus more is expected from him this season.
“Gibbs played minutes for us as a freshman,” said Haggerty. “He’s had a real good preseason and we’re looking for him to step up his role for us.”
The Mustangs will begin their season ranked 22 in the nation, and second in the Lone Star Conference.
“It is good to get some accolades nationally,” Haggerty said. “Especially without having any starters back.”
To be ranked so high in the league and in the country says a lot about the respect the Mustangs have as a basketball program, Haggerty said.
“I think even without the rankings, we’d have a target on our back because we’ve always done so well in the past few years,” he said.
Despite the high ranking in the Mustangs’ conference, Haggerty said he is expecting a battle throughout the season to stay highly esteemed.
“There are 10 really good basketball teams in this league,” he said. “Every road game in our league will be a challenge, and to come out with a win is a tremendous accomplishment.”
Tarleton State is the only school ranked above the Mustangs at No. 1, while Eastern New Mexico bottoms out the conference at No. 10, but Haggerty believes there’s very little difference between these rankings.
“It’s funny, because Eastern New Mexico is ranked last, and they’re a really good basketball team and they’re always well coached,” he said.
“It says a lot about the strength of the Lone Star Conference.”
The Mustangs will officially kick-off their season tomorrow when they face Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
“Last year we were ranked second in attendance in the Lone Star Conference, and it’s one of the reasons we’ve been so successful,” explained Nelson. “We draw people out really well and have a lot of support here and even on the road. We look forward to seeing a lot of people come out and help us start the season on the right foot.”