Men’s basketball non-conference schedule started with a 85-61 win vs Pacific Lutheran University but the Wildcats had a tough test ahead of them as they hosted the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)/Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) challenge. The event took place from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10 at Nicholson Arena where the team dropped both games by double digits.
Their first opponent was a familiar one in No. 14 Cal State University San Bernardino (CSUSB). Last season the team lost to them 48-73 with this season’s game resulting in a loss once again. The final score was 59-76 as CSUSB seems to be CWU’s kryptonite. In previous years they have triumphed over the Wildcats in every matchup dating back to the 2016 season. Sophomore small forward Bradley spoke before the game on the team’s plans for CSUSB as well as the strengths of their oppenents.
“They’re probably one of the best defensive teams that we’ve played,” Swillie said. “So opening week, that is going to be a test, but we have just got to stay poised, stay composed and get into our offense and just let it flow. It’s going to be a good one, two top teams in the country, us going against Bernardino.”
A test it was as the ‘Cats had their final game of the challenge against Cal State Monterey Bay. The game also ended in a loss with a final score of 58-72 as in both games the offense was struggling to find consistency. This is to be expected with a number of players coming in and out of the system this past offseason. These matchups are non conference games giving the team time to prepare for the highly anticipated GNAC season with their new look roster.
Junior 7’2 center Calvin Sisk is one of the new members of the men’s team as he joined this offseason via the transfer portal coming from North Dakota State College of Science. He emphasized the importance of these non-conference games and how they benefit the teams whether the outcome is a win or loss.
“These games are really important because it shows us where we are at and what we need to improve on so we are prepared for conference play,” Sisk said. “We have a lot of work to do. But this team has a really high ceiling and I’m excited for the season.”
“We got a lot of new guys coming in that are good and ready to compete at a high level,” Swillie said. “I think we have a balanced attack between guards and bigs. So obviously our attack is balanced. We are really good at facilitating to get into the key, causing teams to help, giving ourselves open shots and pretty much taking what the defense gives us. We always want to attack the paint, get to the free throw line and then just settle into the game like that.”
Swillie was a vital piece to last season’s success averaging just south of ten points at 9.4 points per game as well as having one of the best heads up plays of the season. With five seconds to go and the season on the line, Swillie remained calm, drove to the basket and dished it out to alumnus Samaad Hector on the wing to hit the three pointer with 3.1 seconds on the clock. This to send the Wildcats to the GNAC Tournament Championship where they would come out victorious as they hoisted the trophy for the first time since 2011.
Swillie was a part of all this as just a freshman, and now with a full year in the system he’s looking for improvement. He spoke on his process of doing just that saying, “Just working consistently, trying to better every aspect of my game,” Swillie said. “Keying in on focusing on how to score within our offense and understanding what other teams are going to do to get an advantage going into games.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Nov. 14 as Walla Walla University will be visiting for yet another non conference matchup. This gives the team another game to prepare for their upcoming Northwest Nazarene Thanksgiving Classic taking place in Nampa, Idaho on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23.
