The USI men’s basketball is looking to build off last season’s success, the only problem is the majority of the players from last season’s team are no longer on the team. USI is returning five players from last year’s squad with only two players, Isaac McClure and Brandon Hogg who saw significant minutes last season. The other three are Austin Davis, Lawrence Thomas and Taylor Wischmeier. Sports editor Lucas Snider was able to sit down with the three players that are expected to step up to see what their expectations were for the season and what they have been doing to prepare for a more significant role on this year’s team.

Q: How do you plan on stepping up and making up for the guys who are not on  the team this year?

Davis: Not put all the responsibility on just one guy. Everybody who is returing need to step up and fill their roles.

Q: Who of the new players, do you expect to step up and make a contribution?

Thomas: I think Melvin and Kenyon will step up for us in the back court. Melvin is a good scorer and Kenyon is a quick guard.

Wischmeier: I expect Antwand and Romeric to step up in the front court and pick up for what Mohammad Ntumba did for us last year.

Q: What are some goals for this season?

Wischmeier: We want to beat Bellarmine this year.

Thomas: We want to improve everyday and win a conference championship

Q: Where is the toughest place to play?

Thomas: Kentucky Wesleyan and Bellarmine are the toughest. At Bellarmine, the place is always packed and it feels like the crowd is on top of you.