After a successful opening weekend away for the Union University men and women’s basketball team, the 2018-2019 season for the Bulldogs is looking optimistic. The men played Spring Hill College (105-79) on Friday in Rome, Georgia and Lemoyne-Owen College (75-70) on Saturday. The women traveled to Miami Shores, Florida on Friday to play Barry University (69-62) and beat Nova Southeastern University (76-60) on Saturday. Based on the performance of both teams, the coaches are feeling positive about the rest of the season.
“The expectations are the same every year from a basketball standpoint,” said Sara Hammond, assistant coach for women’s basketball. “We are competing for a conference championship and ultimately for a national championship.”
With the women’s team having an overall record of 32-4 last season, winning the Gulf South Conference Women’s Championship and making it all the way into the NCAA II Women’s Basketball National Elite Eight round of the tournament, the coaching staff and team are eager to capitalize on the momentum to carry them into this current season.
“The history speaks for itself here,” Hammond said. “I think everyone from this university and the community would agree that the expectations are very high for women’s basketball.”
The men’s team is coming off a more challenging season, ending with an overall record of 12-16 last year. With key players like Charlie Wilson going professional to play for the Rivadavia Comodoros in Argentina and Nick Velasquez signing onto the Rebels BKB in San Salvador, El Salvador, and 10 new players on the court, it is hard to predict how the Bulldogs will perform this season.
“I believe we have a talented group,” said Easton Bazzoli, assistant coach for men’s basketball. “There is definitely a chance to do something really good this year, just as long as we don’t get complacent and fight towards being consistent every single day.”
The integration of a lot of new players for the men’s team also affects the team’s chemistry in playing together. With a lot of new talent, it can be a challenge to organize every athlete into one functioning unit. Also, with the absence of senior players on this year’s roster, the Bulldogs have the potential to really build on their collaboration as a team in future seasons.
“Our team is getting better and better,” Bazzoli said. “They have all the potential in the world to be really together and really good.”
Last season, the women’s team had some impressive players on the court. However, they have lost six seniors, including first team All-American Chelsey Shumpert. This season, some key players to watch out for include Jada Perkins, Morgan Martin and Jada Smith.
“Jada Perkins is going to have a wonderful senior year and has really taken a step forward in leading our team,” Hammond said. “Morgan Martin is one of the hardest workers on our team, both academically and athletically, and brings a toughness, competitiveness and a willingness to do whatever it takes for the team. Finally, Jada Smith is all in. Not having her last year but seeing her back on the court has been awesome to see.”
Some key players to keep an eye on this year from the men’s team include Tyree Boykin and Samory Gueye.
“As far as on a national stage, definitely look out for Boykin,” Bazzoli said. “He has started out on a pace to do some really big things this year. Gueye has all the potential in the world to blow up and be one of the better players in the league come January and February. With so many new guys, we have a lot to look out for.”
The 2018-19 men and women’s basketball season at Union University is sure to be an exciting one that you are not going to want to miss. You can find more information about this year’s schedule, roster, stats and more here.
The men play at home in the Fred Delay Gymnasium against Cumberland University on Wednesday, Nov. 14, starting at 7:00 p.m. The women play at home against Central State University on Thursday, Nov. 15, starting at 5:30 p.m.
