LIU Post hopes to build on last season

The LIU Post men’s basketball team is coming off an 18-12 season and Head Coach Erik Smiles is looking to keep the trend in an uptick in wins per season; winning more games than the previous season. 
Smiles, now in his three year at the helm, has compiled a 52-37 record and has gone 40-29 in conference play. 
Smiles believes it starts with his two All-Conference players, Jared Hall and Greg Dotson. 
“It really all starts with those guys and they are two great pieces to build off,” said Smiles. 
In addition to the Hall and Dotson duo, Smiles is also expecting big contributions from two other players who logged big minutes last season. 
“Aary Bibens and Hunter Powell…both of those guys need to have big seasons for us to reach our goals this season.” 
While Smiles noted that those four players will play major roles, he didn’t underestimate the transfer and freshmen talent on his roster. 
“With all the new guys on the team, we have been going a lot slower installing plays and concepts this year,” said Smiles. “But in the end when the lights go on it’s just basketball and players are players and they will respond.” 
According to Smiles, Jamal Mosley and Kyle McLeggan are two transfer students who “are really going to impact us.” 
Under Coach Smiles a season ago, opponents shot just 38 percent from the field. 
In fact, with Smiles on the sidelines, the LIU Post men’s basketball team has been the second and third best defensive teams in Division II in terms of field goal percentage during the last two seasons. 
“We take a lot of pride in our defense and we tell our guys if you can’t guard then you can’t play here,” Smiles said. 
The core group of upperclassmen and young hungry underclassmen is a good formula for a run deep into the season. Smiles said that’s the goal. 
“Our goal is always to win a championship and I think by season’s end we will definitely have a chance to do that. I like our program right now and where we are and if we can stay healthy, I think we will have a chance come March,” Smiles said. 
The LIU Post men’s basketball season begins on Saturday, Nov. 12, against the University of the Sciences of Philadelphia at the Pratt Recreation Center in Brookville, N.Y. at 2 p.m.
 This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer.com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.