By: Rece Allen, Sports Editor 

Basketball season is finally here and the Maroon Tigers look to improve from last season’s 20-10 record and loss in the SIAC Championship semifinal to Miles College. The team has a new identity, bringing in nine new players and six returning players, but looks to still apply the same core values of leadership and defense to this unit to be more successful. 

Last season the Maroon Tigers came up short in the SIAC tournament against Miles College 58-63. The Maroon Tigers shot 36 percent from the field and 25 percent from the three point line. Even in the loss, the Maroon Tiger managed to hold Miles College to 34 percent from the field and 27 percent from the three point line.

Defense has always been the identity of Coach Whittler’s basketball teams here at Morehouse. He takes pride in how the team played defense, especially at the elite level the Maroon Tigers reached last season, when they were named the best defense in the NCAA for opponents’ field goal percentage. 

“My main thing has always been defense”, Coach Whittler said. “Last year we were the number one defense in the NCAA in terms of the field goal percentage of our opponents. My old coach used to say ‘If they can’t score, we can’t lose’, and that is how I think as well. The most valuable person on the court is the guy that can stop someone from scoring.”

Coach Whittler emphasized that this year he is looking for a true leader with the group. With nine new faces on the team, having leadership fuel the team will allow for new players and returning players to gel together. 

“You have to have someone who can step up and make the guys accountable outside of the coaches”, Coach Whittler said. The best teams run themselves.”

Cedric Taylor III, freshman standout, could possibly be looked at as someone to be one of the teams’ leaders. Taylor earned the SIAC Freshman of the Year last season, averaging 11 points, five rebounds, with one block and steal per game. 

Taylor may be one of the team’s standout players, but Coach Whittler believes everyone can help contribute to the team’s success this year. He says they will measure progress from last year by adding more wins to the team’s record compared to last season.

The Maroon Tigers will start the season against Embry-Riddle in the SIAC/Sunshine Challenge at 5pm at Rubin Arena in Palm Beach, Florida.

Copy Edited by Rece Allen, Sports Editor