Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Basketball Title Defense Underway
10/14/2011 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 14, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. --The returning members of the Bison men's basketball team began thinking about the 2011-12 season not long after they departed the Verizon Center following last year's NCAA Tournament loss to Connecticut. After an offseason filled with conditioning and individual skill work, coach Dave Paulsen's squad formally kicked off the new year on Friday evening with a spirited first practice inside Sojka Pavilion.
"It feels great to be back out there," said Paulsen, who is entering his fourth season at Bucknell. "We have been allowed two hours per week with the guys, which has been very productive, but it was nice to go live for two straight hours."
The Bison return four starters from last year's squad that finished 25-9 overall, 13-1 in the Patriot League, and captured the conference tournament title for the third time. Co-captains Bryan Cohen, Bryson Johnson and Mike Muscala are working into new leadership roles following the loss of key seniors G.W. Boon, Darryl Shazier and Stephen Tyree, and Paulsen said that is a work in progress.
"Right now we are working hard to re-establish that leadership presence that was so good for us last year," said Paulsen. "We have a lot of work to do, but I like the makeup of our team. Our offseason commitment level was excellent, and our focus and work ethic have been good. But we have to carry that through every day of practice in order to get to where we want to go."
This was the first of 24 practices before the team departs for Minneapolis for the Nov. 11 season-opener against Minnesota. The home opener will be Saturday, Nov. 19 against Saint Francis (Pa.).
Season tickets are now on sale. For more information, click HERE or call 570-577-1000.
