A new year, a new home, a new era.
 
There is a lot of hype surrounding the 2022-23 Lancer basketball season. From the new gym, to impressive new additions and a crop of seasoned vets, the Lancer basketball season is ready to kick-off Tuesday night against the Western Mustangs at the Toldo Lancer Centre.
 
Check our season previews and game information below.
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
When asked about her expectations of the upcoming season, Lancer women's basketball coach Chantal Vallee did not hesitate with her answer. "I am optimistic for the coming year. We have a much-improved team and the addition of key players such as national team targeted athletes and an experienced transfer from another OUA school, is adding great experience and depth to our young squad."
 
Coach Vallee is referring to Kali Grootenbeor and Vanessa Budimunda. Grootenbeor was a member of the Canadian U18 national team at the 2022 FIBA World America's Championship, and is a post player with tremendous potential, that stands at 6'5 without her shoes on.
 
Budimunda joins the Lancers from Ontario Tech after finishing her third season with the Ridgebacks where she was named the women's basketball team MVP for the 2021-22 season. This past season Budimunda averaged 10.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game over 16 games played.
 
Also joining the blue and gold this year are Kaelyn Batten who is a local standout point guard with can score and has exemplary court vision, and Haley Willits who will add depth to the team when called upon.
 
The four recruits will be joining a strong core of veterans including OUA all-star and captain Mariame Dehkissia who has improved her outside game over the summer, Harriett Carey who has shown tremendous leadership and success in the preseason, Reine Ndome and Julia Chiarot who are now more threatening with their consistent three-point shooting, and Maggie Denys who has earned the starting point guard position on the team.
 
To bond the team together, the Lancers spend a week in Cape Breton in the preseason enjoying cultural experiences, visiting, and staying with family, playing in a tournament and getting to know each other. They also invited a sports leader expert in to work with the team on a two-day seminar with the goal of getting to know each other's personalities, how everyone communicates best and determining what kind of open and safe environment they want to create for the team.
 
The Lancers have played in two tournaments in the pre-season and coach Vallee is quite pleased with the outcome. "I am really happy with how we ended the pre-season with two wins, including a victory over Cape Breton who we had lost to one week prior in Halifax. I purposely booked a challenging pre-season against all top U SPORTS programs to see where we measured up."
 
MEN'S BASKETBALL
"Focus on what we can control", that is the mantra for head coach Chris Chang for the 2022-23 season. What they can control is the effort and focus that they bring to practice each day.  "The collective expectation is that we strive to get better each day, that means living up to the standards we set as a team."
 
The Lancers will be led by U SPORTS all-Canadian Thomas Kennedy.  There are high expectations for the 6'9" forward who spend the summer playing with the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) with the Fraser Valley Bandits. Competing against professionals, Kennedy averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 and two assists per game and was recognized as the top U SPORTS player in the league.  On the international stage he also spent time with the Canadian under-23 men's national team at the GLOBL JAM showcase in Toronto. Windsor will be looking to maximize both his basketball and leadership skills he brings to the court each night.
 
Outside the paint, Xavier Ochu will be a key scoring threat. In his fist season with the Blue & Gold (4th in U SPORTS) he brings championship experience and outstanding on ball defence.  Chang believes his "playmaking and shot making ability" is what will make him an impact player this season.
 
The Lancers also add Daniel Cummings, a grad transfer from Tennessee State, who is an experienced, physical player whose energy the team will feed off.  Returning to his hometown, Najee Brown-Henderson, a Catholic Central high school product, will handle the ball and is expected to be a scoring threat and will be counted on for his playmaking ability and on-ball defense.
 
Coach Cheng has made efforts on and off the court to bring his team together and create a collective mindset. "In practices, I have been purposely calling bad fouls. I do this to train the players how I need them to react in those moments. This forces them to come together and be on the same page. Off the court, we do a few team activities to help build our team culture and standards. For the most part, through the leadership of Thomas and Xavier, they have been spearheading most off-court activities."
 
The team was limited to only four preseason games, as their first tournament at UPEI was cancelled due to Hurricane Fiona. Windsor finished 2-2 in exhibition play after competing at the Naismith tournament in Waterloo and hosting Marietta College. "I thought the cancellation of the UPEI Tournament set us back a bit prior to heading into the Naismith tournament," commented Cheng. "The Naismith was our only U SPORTS competition to see different line-ups and who can do what. Nevertheless, we control what we can control, and we move forward collectively. I thought we should have finished 3-0 at the Naismith but the close games, even the won we won in OT, helped us identified where we need to improve."
 
The Lancers have added so many new faces, they have identified where they still need some work, but they are taller, longer than in season past and will be entertaining to watch as the OUA and U SPORTS season get underway.
 
HOME OPENER DETAILS
The blue and gold will open the 2022-23 season on Tuesday, November 1st at the Toldo Lancer Centre when they host the Western Mustangs. The women will tip-off at 6:00pm, followed by the men at 8:00pm.
 
Tickets
Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance at goLancers.ca/tickets
 
Parking & Facility Access
Parking for the event is located in the south parking lot at the back of the Toldo Lancer Centre. Fans are asked to enter through the varsity game entrance also located on the south side of the building and not through the main entrance doors on the east side.
 
Access to the stands is from the second level, and accommodations for those with accessibility needs will be met.