By Jack Perdek
‘Pack the Ziel’ is the phrase of the week as Oswego State is set to host the final rounds of the SUNYAC playoffs.
The Oswego State Lakers held a press conference on Feb. 23. Featuring head coach Jason Leone, and captains Louis Fedullo and Julien Crittendon. The team discussed the mentality of the team heading into their home playoff tournament and what having the home floor advantage will mean for their success.
Leone started the conference shedding light on the differences between this year’s team and the Laker team that went to the NCAA tournament in 2019.
“Every season takes on its own identity, many of the players that have been influential in our success this year weren’t here for those games,” Leone said. “Our team this year is incredibly unique compared to all the teams that I’ve coached here just because of the depth we have and our athleticism and pace of play so much faster this year. The only thing we draw upon from previous years is knowing how difficult it is to play a team three times a year.”
This season has been one of the best regular seasons of Leone’s time here at Oswego State. The Lakers won 23 ball games and 17 of them coming from SUNYAC opponents. Their 17-1 conference record has given them their second first seed spot in three seasons. With the playoffs taking place on their home floor, Crittendon and Fedullo see this as a huge advantage.
“We didn’t have a season last year, just being able to play in this environment in the Ziel is big,” Crittendon said. “I think students getting the 500 free shirts is a great idea. Bringing the Oswego community together is an awesome thing to have and we’re excited.
“It’s definitely awesome to be able to host,” Fedullo said. “One of my first years on the team [2019] we were able to host and then we went to Brockport and it was a completely different atmosphere. Winning games in the SUNYAC playoffs is hard enough, and to do it at home makes it easier for us.
Winning SUNYAC playoff games is something the Lakers have been used to these past three years. Despite their success this season, one team that had the last laugh on the Lakers are the Hawks of SUNY New Paltz. Just two weeks ago, the two conference opponents went back in forth with the Hawks outlasting the green and gold 64-63 on their floor.
With SUNY New Paltz being the Lakers’ only loss of the season in the SUNYAC, it would only make sense that the two will tip-off in saturday’s semi-final game. Leone and the Lakers are aware of the challenge the Hawks present.
“They’re the one team that has been able to combat our physicality,” Leone said. “Those guys are able to get in the lane, they are able to make switches. Last time we didn’t execute things. They’re a tough-minded group, we’re going to have to play very well to win.”
Crittendon and Fedullo also will not treat this game with any ease. They said that the team needs to stick to their game and that this game should be a good one to watch.
“I think we’ll find it to be a very competitive and difficult game,” Crittendon said. “We’re both fighting for something. They beat us last time and we’re coming with an edge in that game. It’s hard to find a blowout in these kinds of games. We have to stick to the team and listen to what coach says and we’ll be fine.”
“Them being able to be the only [SUNYAC] team to beat us in the regular season gives us a little more of a competitive edge to the game. They came out and played a really good game against us last time, so we’ll use these next two days to prepare and we’ll be ready for them.”
Outside of Oswego State and SUNY New Paltz’s playoff spots, SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Brockport are also coming to lake Ontario. The Lakers were able to sweep both teams with ease this season and will have to win two game threes to win the SUNYAC conference.
Leone said that the postseason has an unfamiliar vibe than the 25 games they have played in the past four months.
“Playoff basketball has a different make up than regular season games. So if there’s anything I want to harp upon our players is that for every win, the deeper you get into the season it’s harder to get a win.”
The Lakers and the rest of the SUNYAC playoff teams will take the floor on Feb. 25-26. At the Max Ziel Gymnasium. Crittendon chimed this weekend’s games as the place to be for the Oswego community.
“It’s going to be a great environment,” Crittendon said. “I think we’re a fun team to watch, and it’s something fun to do on a Friday night. It’s a playoff basketball game with high-intensity levels. So why not come and support?”
Michael Gross | The Oswegonian
