By Mia Ines

After securing a bye past the first round of the OUA playoffs, the Lancer men's basketball team is ready to fight in the race for the Wilson Cup. Windsor will host the Guelph Gryphons in the OUA quarter-finals Saturday at 4:00pm at the Toldo Lancer Centre.
 
According to head coach Chris Cheng, the team's hard work and dedication that earned them the first-round bye. "It is a testament to the growth of this group all season," explains Cheng. "Winning our division is one of the three objectives we wanted to accomplish this year. The players should be proud of this accomplishment. They earned the right to host, and now we just have to protect the home court." 
 
The Lancers showcase a dangerous offense, led by all-time leading scorer Thomas Kennedy and Najee Brown-Henderson. Kennedy finished the season, ranked fifth in the OUA with 20.8 points per game and first overall with 13.5 points per game. Brown-Henderson finished the regular season ranked fifth in the OUA with 43.9% in three-point percentage.
 
"Our main focus is to start the game with energy, when we come out flat we tend to have close games and that's not how we want to start the playoff," discusses second year guard Lorenzo Barbieri. "I think the pandemic helped a lot of the guys realize that we can't take the game for granted and it's definitely shown in the way we all train now. We've really learned to focus on the little details when it comes to training and preparation, and it is what has helped us get to where we are this year."
 
As a team, the Lancer men accumulated several wins, finishing with a 16-6 record, 0. 727 PCT and 1st overall in the OUA West division. Yet besides they're record, Barbieri believes Windsor has a special group of guys that can really do something big this year and are ready to cause some trouble. And with the newly renovated Toldo Lancer Centre, the team can really feed off the Lancer fans energy and enthusiasm while on the other hand it poses a challenge for the visiting opponent this upcoming Saturday afternoon. 
 
"We are heading into the playoffs with confidence and highly believe that we can compete and play at a high-level," Cheng asserted when asked about his insights as to how the team is feeling heading into the post-season. "The team played well all regular season long showing that we can compete with the top teams. It is now time to level up our expectations and demands of ourselves and each other."
 
In securing the chance to advance to the OUA Final Four and earn another shot at the Wilson Cup, the team also gears up towards contending for a potential U SPORTS Nationals appearance. Yet beyond just their performance on the court but as well as the importance of being in the right mindset at all times throughout their post-season run.
 
"The mindset is the same as it has been all season long and that is to be better today, be present, and stay focused," states Cheng.
 
Many student-athletes learn, use, and develop psychological strategies and skills to incorporate in training and in competition which can provide a mechanism to produce desired results. Whether working towards increasing motivation, learning how to feel control over anxiety, and develop self-confidence, strategies can provide positive outcomes especially in major sporting events. Barbieri believes the blue and gold have remained very focused as they have proved to be one of the top teams in the league this year and only want to prove that even more during playoffs with the ultimate goal of winning the OUA championships.
 
"Growth. As I mentioned is our focus to get better every day. Coming together on and off the court, learning from our own and others' mistakes, and embracing change all leading to our growth. Let's protect the house!"
 
Regardless of who Windsor will go head-to-head against, with the Gryphons slated first, the Lancers are prepared to battle and dig deep on the court in front of a familiar home crowd behind them.