Men’s basketball prepares for upcoming season

By Greg Patuto | Published Nov. 28, 2017

The Kean University men’s basketball team is coming into this season with a hope of making the postseason, something they failed to do last year.

The Cougars return their two leading scorers from last season, juniors Micah Kerr and Michael Summerer who both averaged just under 11 points per game. Kean added many players this season to join Kerr and Summerer.

“We truly believe we have added eight quality people and players to our roster,” Kean head coach Robert Kurzinsky said. “With seven transfers and only one true freshman, I feel like we have brought in a sense of urgency and maturity with the group.”

These new players will have plenty of opportunity to prove themselves to the coaches both in practice and on the court. The Cougars will go into the season carrying 17 players on the roster and expecting to play 12 per game.

“There is opportunity everyday in practice to prove you belong on the floor on the first game night,” Kurzinsky said. “For us it comes down to having a defensive impact, valuing the ball, your ability to finish at the rim and/or the foul line and your ability to make three’s. We have a number of guy’s through the first three weeks of practice but the bottom line is your ability to step up and do it come November 15th.”

Commitment and competition will be key for the Cougars as they prepare for the upcoming season. If they compete hard in practice and believe in one another, then they will be put in position to win every time they step on the court.

“I really feel like we have a group that will compete,” Kurzinsky said. “We have been extremely competitive in practice and I certainly think the guys have pushed each other to raise level of play.”

The Cougars begin their season on Nov. 15 against Baruch College. Conference play will begin on Nov. 21 against Montclair State.

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