While the start of the spring semester brings new classes and new experiences for returning students, there are also new challenges given to our student athletes and teams that push them to new heights during the current basketball season.
According to Winthrop Athletics, Winthrop University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams both won their first games in the Big South Opener on Jan. 5, with the men’s team facing off with the UNC Asheville Bulldogs and the women’s team going up against Longwood.
At the Winthrop Coliseum for the women’s Team, Winthrop won 77 to 69, while the men’s team played in Asheville and won with a score of 80 to 65. This victory against UNC marks the sixth straight basketball season where the men’s basketball team has won the Big South Conference Opener. The coach of the Winthrop University men’s basketball team, Coach Patrick Kelsey, commented on the aftermath of the Winthrop basketball team and what they need to improve on.
“We have a lot to clean up from that game, but for us to go up there and win despite some injuries we are battling, we are really proud of our group for how they fought,” said Kelsey.
Winthrop men’s basketball player #22, senior Austin Awad commented on the basketball team’s perseverance during the game and how they turned a rocky first half around to victory.
“After a really sloppy start to the game, we started playing defense consistently and taking care of the ball on offense. I think that game shows a lot about the mental toughness that this team possesses, and I hope it gives us some momentum going forward into conference season,” said Awad.
By the second half of the game, the Eagles managed to outscore the Bulldogs with 61 points compared to the Bulldogs scoring 34. The turnover from the Eagles managed to secure a victory for the Winthrop basketball team. “I was really glad that our team was able to rally in the second half of the conference opener,” said Awad.
Awad grew up in Melbourne, Florida, where he began his basketball career by ninth grade at Melbourne High School and later attended East Florida State for junior college before coming to Winthrop University to study sociology.
“After my sophomore year at Eastern Florida, I received several offers from various universities, but after my visit with Winthrop, I knew where I wanted to go. I chose Winthrop because I enjoyed the student environment and the basketball culture. We have a high–level coaching staff and a really special group of players,” said Awad.
After the win of the Big South Opener, Coach Kelsey is confident on the team’s approach and determination during this season, which he hopes will lead to the NCAA. “We are going to take that consistent approach through the remainder of conference play and hopefully on to the NCAA Tournament,” said Kelsey.
One way that the men’s basketball team has improved themselves during this season is catching rebounds during games on offense and defense. “It is something that we make an emphasis every day in practice,” said Kelsey.
Besides improving themselves for this season through practice, the members of the men’s basketball team focus on building camaraderie with each other to improve their skills when working as a team.
“This off–season was really important for our team. We trained the majority of the summer and really focused on developing individual skills and team chemistry,” said Awad. Following victories for both teams, the winthrop basketball team is ready for the upcoming home and away games.
“We are proud to represent this prestigious university and be a part of an athletic program that is so passionate about the overall development and success of its student athletes. Winthrop is a special place, and we hope to continue to make its students, faculty and everyone involved here proud,” said Kelsey.
The biggest upcoming home men’s basketball game to Winthrop University is on Jan. 24 against Gardner-Webb, which will be aired on ESPNU. The team is excited to show Winthrop’s athletic talent this season.
“We have an exciting team that is fun to watch, and I truly believe can accomplish something special this season,” said Awad.
