The Hillsdale College men’s basketball team plays the University of Toledo and Indiana University, both Division I schools, early next week.
Said assistant coach Luke Laser of the matchups: “That’s a back to back we’ll never have to face in the regular season.”
The Chargers, who began practice in mid-October, open their season at home on Nov. 13 against Lourdes University. In the meantime, they’re scrimmaging Division 1 schools to prepare for the new season.
They played their first exhibition game against Valparaiso University on Oct. 26.
The Chargers went into the half up 34-29. Offensively, they were led by senior Tim Dezelski’s 16 points and freshman Kyle Cooper’s 22.
But Valparaiso pulled back ahead less than five minutes into the second half and gradually extended their lead over the rest of the game. Final score: Valparaiso 69, Hillsdale 60.
Head coach John Tharp attributed the loss to some ill-timed turnovers, tiredness, and poor shooting in the second half.
“We left points out there,” Tharp said.
Most of all, Tharp attributed the loss to the team’s few number of practices so far this season. Entering Saturday’s scrimmage, Hillsdale had practiced nine times together as a team.
With Valparaiso behind them, the team faces Toledo on Sunday and then Indiana on Monday.
Senior guard Anthony Manno said he’s excited about the team’s upcoming matchups.
“Toledo is predicted to win the MAC conference and Indiana is a national powerhouse year after year,” Manno said. “We’re going to come out playing and show those guys that we can play basketball, too.”
Assistant coach Brian McCauley shared Manno’s sentiments about next week’s games, especially for the Indiana game and playing in one of the “meccas” of college basketball.
“The fan in you comes out a little bit,” McCauley said.
