The Oswego State men’s basketball season starts on Nov. 16, and the start of its season marks the start of the Max Ziel Tournament.

The Lakers start off their play in the Max Ziel Tournament against the Elmira College Soaring Eagles in the Max Ziel Gymnasium at Oswego State. Along with the Lakers and the Soaring Eagles, SUNY Purchase and SUNY Poly will also be participating in the Max Ziel Tournament this year. Oswego State’s roster is looking to start its season strong and win the tournament.

The first game is against a very strong Elmira College team, and the Lakers are ready for the challenge at hand. Elmira is a team that thrives in the open court and is a really good three-point shooting team, having made 26 total three-pointers in their last two games.

“We are going to have to defend the three-point line and get back on defense in transition,” head coach Jason Leone said.

Senior center Tyler Pierre agreed with Leone for what he wants the team to do in the coming weeks.

“We can’t play lackadaisical. We have to come out there and play strong because Elmira is a good team,” Pierre said.

With opportunity to open the season and play their games of the Max Ziel Tournament at home, the Lakers are looking to capitalize off the home court advantage.

“It’s a great opportunity to hopefully get some good crowds and excitement built up for the season,” Leone said. “It’s really a special deal for us to open up at home.”

The Max Ziel Tournament is very significant for the Oswego State men’s basketball program. The tournament is named after legendary Oswego State coach Max Ziel, who coached the Oswego State Lakers for 36 years. Ziel started coaching the Lakers in 1921 and continued to coach them until 1957. Throughout all those years, Max Ziel added to the basketball program of Oswego State. Ziel is the second all-time for most wins as a head coach of the Lakers, having also been inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame.

Leone and players like Brandon Gartland and Pierre lamented the significance of the Max Ziel Tournament to the Oswego State Lakers program.

“Max Ziel has meant a great deal to our university and our athletic program,” Leone said. “Having a tournament named in his honor [is] quite a special thing and comes with a responsibility of us playing real well.”

Pierre went on to say “it’s always fun to come out there and play” when speaking about playing in the Max Ziel Tournament with this season being his fourth time playing in the tournament.

The Lakers have had a history of winning the tournament, and the tournament has brought about many notable individual performances from players of Oswego State. Leone recalled his first year coaching and winning the tournament on a buzzer-beater from the point guard at the time, Shawn Michael. Gartland also spoke about winning the tournament with the Lakers his freshman year.

“Hopefully we can get back to the championship,” Gartland said. “But first, we have to take care of Elmira.”

Pierre has confidence in his team and added how he liked the unity of the team and that the team will be there for each other no matter what happens. This year, the Lakers are looking to repeat their history of winning the Max Ziel Tournament and use it to help them prepare for other teams in the SUNYAC competition.

The Max Ziel Tournament is in the sights of the Oswego State Lakers and with a solid performance against Elmira, there is a chance they can win it all, but Leone and the players are taking it one step at a time. Having played teams such as The College at Brockport, Buffalo State, SUNY Cortland and Plattsburgh State with similar play styles to Elmira College the Lakers are going into familiar territory.

File photo | The Oswegonian