As the fall semester runs deeper into the year for Saint Xavier University students, the warmth of the summer slowly subsides to the blistering winds of winter. The weather change signals a fresh start for indoor sports, specifically for men’s and women’s basketball.
Last season, both the men and women made us proud to be Cougars. For the men, a 15-5 performance in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) earned them first place in the North division and a place in the NAIA national tournament.
The women, on the other hand, put together a historic season in 2015-16. Saint Xavier finished 30-4 overall and 17-2 in the CCAC, which earned them a place in the national tournament for the 14th consecutive year, and a tie for the conference title.
Saint Xavier’s women managed to advance to the second round of the 32-team, single elimination NAIA tournament for the eighth time in program history. This season, each team has lofty expectations for the 2016-17 season.
The women are returning two representatives of the NAIA Division II All-America teams, Kara Krolicki and Mikayla Leyden. Also, an experienced group of juniors and seniors should provide plenty of leadership throughout the grind of a basketball season.
A challenge for the men includes overcoming the loss of their leading scorer, Larry Motuzis. The 6’6 junior guard earned an opportunity to play Division I basketball and opted to transfer to American University in the spring. Motuzis averaged 20.7 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, and shot 47 percent from the field in 2015-16.
The men are ranked 22nd overall in a recent NAIA pre-season coaches’ poll, while the women are 6th.
Those who hate the cold should be sure to find a cozy seat in the comfort of the Shannon Center during game days to watch competitive NAIA basketball. The fun begins Tuesday, November 1st for the women, while the men play on Wednesday, November 2nd.
Mike Rankin
Senior Sports Editor