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As the Oswego men's basketball team closes their regular season, it's time to prepare for the SUNYAC playoffs, where an NCAA tournament bid hangs in the balance.
With the third seed in this year's playoffs, the Lakers are not the favorite to win the SUNYAC, but still have a legitimate chance to steal it from the likes of Geneseo and Plattsburgh if some or all of the following keys occur during each potential postseason game.
Ball Movement
Throughout the regular season, the Lakers continually have had trouble moving the ball offensively. This is in part due to the "hero ball" sophomore and junior guards Brian Sortino and Walter Sampson play during times when the Lakers shooting is in a slump.
"Everybody is playing us the same way now." Head Coach Jason Leone said after the loss to Cortland Friday. "They're challenging (Sortino and Sampson) to make a pass when their double teamed... for us to play well and win they're two of our better offensive players so you have to give them some leash to try and make plays."
The Lakers will need to keep the ball moving around to get everybody involved and become less predictable offensively if they want to have success this postseason.
Mark Candelario Must Step up
In games where the six-foot-eight junior gets nine rebounds or more, the Lakers are a flawless 6-0, including both games against Oneonta, their first playoff matchup.
If Oswego can get through the Red Dragons Tuesday, then to win the SUNYAC title they'll have to go through conference scoring and rebounding leader Gordon Lyons, then most likely Plattsburgh's dominant inside presence Reggie Williams, who torched the Lakers in their previous matchup with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks.
The reason for Oswego's trouble against foes like this is because they are undersized at their big-man positions. What's the easiest way to fix this? Starting Candelario or making sure he gets significant minutes off the bench.
If he can play like the Lakers need him to, then Oswego should have a much higher chance to make a run at the title.
Get to the Line and Make the Free Ones Count
Oswego State is second from the bottom of the SUNYAC in free throw attempts on the season, and they are only shooting a mediocre 68 percent from the charity stripe.
For a team that can at times become stagnant offensively, this is the best way for Oswego to get in a rhythm when they are in games with more half court play. This will take some pressure off of the Lakers on defense where they rank in the top three in opponent field goal percentage.
Being aggressive in half court sets is something the Lakers have struggled with this season, and if they continue to not force the issue nor get to the free throw line, then the Lakers could face an early exit in this post season.
Oswego faces Oneonta at home Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
