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Juniata wants to take next step in 2023
HUNTINGDON -- After making a Landmark Championship appearance and partaking in the ECAC playoffs, Juniata College's men's basketball team wants more out of the 2023-24 season.
The Eagles were 17-11 last year and made a run in the conference playoffs as they appeared in the Landmark Championship, where they lost to Scranton, 84-63.
"We need to become more consistent in all phases of the game. With the addition of Lycoming and Wilkes to the Landmark, we think there are as many as eight teams that can win the league. The team that competes and executes at the highest levels night in and night out over an 18-game league schedule will win the championship. We have to be incredibly tough, resilient, and consistent to give ourselves a chance," Eagles head coach Greg Curley said.
Curley, now in his 23rd season as the Juniata head coach, added that the Eagles have plenty of goals entering the new year.
"Our goals never change and focus much more on process than results or accomplishments. That said, we have a hungry group with a sense of unfinished business. Our main focus, as always, is earning a spot in the playoffs and giving our chance to compete for the Landmark title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament," Curley noted.
With every basketball team, leadership is crucial to a team's success over a long season. That's no different with Juniata.
"With eight seniors, we hope and expect this to be a strength. All eight have done an exceptional job in the preseason and are Juniata guys through and through. Tim Smith, Dino Brown, Kade Anzulavich are as good as we have ever had at preparing our team. They are really the heart and soul of our team and program. Our other five seniors have all played key roles over the last three years and we expect them to pick up where they left off. Juniors Mason Hardy and Tyler Lapetina will play a big role in our success given the experience they gained as starters and key contributors last year," Curley explained.
But, underclassmen will come to the forefront as well for the Eagles this season.
"We are excited about the work our sophomore class has put in over the summer and expect all three -- Sho Watson, Carter Fischer, and Elijah Kioko to find roles and contribute," the Juniata coach added. "We are also excited to see what a full offseason does to help Evan Eisenhart return from the injury that really limited him last year."
Prior to Juniata's season, Curley shared his thoughts on what stands out about his 2023 Eagles.
"We like the attitude, experience, and competitive character of this group. We think we have a bit more depth in spots than we did last year, but time will tell. Hopefully, we play some defense and score a few points along the way," the coach highlighted.
How can the Eagles learn from playing in the Landmark Championship a year ago?
"As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. Being in games with championship-caliber opponents, in championship environments, is as true a test as there is. What matters now is how we apply those lessons day to day, practice to practice, game to game. We all start the year 0-0 and once the ball is tipped the only thing that matters is how we play and perform moment to moment and game to game. We are excited to see what we can do. As we talk about daily, we will decide what type of year we have regardless of our final record. If we stick together, continue to improve, and compete to the best of our ability day in and day out– we’ll find success," Curley said.
It won't be an easy road for Juniata with Susquehanna, Catholic, Scranton, and Drew in the Landmark Conference. If the Eagles want another shot at the conference crown, they'll need to handle business that's in front of them.
"Take your pick when looking at our schedule. Start to finish this is the most balanced and competitive league and non-conference schedules we have faced. Our focus needs to be on winning the one in front of us. When all is said and done we’ll add them up and see where we stand. In saying that, we need to take care of business at home and get better on the road," Curley stated.
The Eagles lost their 2023 opener on Wednesday, falling at Alvernia, 66-48. Next, Juniata hosts Penn State-Altoona in their home opener at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.