The Keene State men’s basketball team is headed to the sweet sixteen round of the NCAA playoffs continuing their win streak following another Little East Conference championship for the Owls.
The Owls are coming off another impressive season as they won their third straight conference title on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Spaulding Gymnasium. Keene State’s men’s basketball team played Western Connecticut for the conference title, a team they had lost to just two weeks prior.
“We played them to a three-point game in the end and we were down by as much as seventeen during the game. I think that goes to show the drive these guys have.” Coach Hastings said.
Throughout the season some individuals proved to take on larger roles for the team.
Fifth-year senior captain Jeff Hunter won the LEC Player of the Year and was also named to the First-team All-LEC.
Another key player for the Owls, junior captain Octavio Brito, was also named to the First-team All-LEC.
Senior guard Nate Siow made it onto the Second-team All-LEC, and all three were on the LEC all-defensive-team.
First-year freshman forward Wesley Odiase took home the LEC Rookie of the Year.
First-year head coach David Hastings was awarded the LEC coach of the year as well.
Keene State’s men’s basketball team was able to not only lead the conference as a solid team but also have recognition for some of their individual players.
The Owls are making their return to the tournament following an exit during the Sweet Sixteen round last season. With a lot of the same guys, Coach Hastings believes they don’t have to change much even after the tournament exit.
“This team is [made up of] veterans, the majority of the guys on this team have played in previous years. Jeff is a fifth-year senior, and O [Brito] is a junior … I don’t know if there is a big change to what we are doing and we feel good with where we are at.” Coach Hastings said.
The NCAA basketball tournament also means that teams have to turn up their drive to win each and every game. The teams who make it in are there for a reason, and coach Hastings acknowledges this and knows how to get his team ready.
“Every team is a college-level team here, and they’ve all won a lot to get them here. If you can get to every 50-50 ball you give your team a better chance of scoring. The effort can certainly override a certain level of skill and that is something we talk about daily” said Coach Hastings.
The Owls showed off that effort by defeating Marymount University(VA) in the round of 64, as Keene State was able to fend off Marymount in a tough game that ended 82-76. The following day in the round of 32, Keene State’s men’s basketball team kept their foot on the pedal against Eastern University(PA), putting up triple digits and winning by a score of 109-85. The first two games were fortunately at the Spaulding Gymnasium on campus, so the Keene State crowd showed out in both games providing support until the final buzzer.
“I think our fans override theirs, we have a great fan base here between students and community members. We will put the best team on the floor in order to win.” Said Coach Hastings.
This is the same spot in the tournament that the Owls were in last year before unfortunately losing and closing out the season. Coming off of two tournament wins should bestow a great level of confidence into the Keene State squad, although as the season is wrapping up, every team the Owls face will have made the same journey. They will be without a home crowd for this week’s game as they travel down to North Carolina to play Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Be sure to catch the game on Friday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m est. It will be televised through the ODAC Sports Network, or find the link on the Keene State Owls athletic website.
Jacob Enscoe can be contacted
at jenscoe.kscequinox.com
