First-year Siena men’s basketball head coach Nevada Smith accepted responsibility for his team’s 80-75 defeat to Bryant on Monday night but expressed deeper frustration with the manner of the loss. The Saints dropped their regular-season debut at Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where Smith described the team’s offensive performance as “terrible.” While the final score was close, Smith emphasized that the execution on the floor did not meet the standards he expects from his squad, noting that the loss itself was not unexpected given the team’s current development stage.
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Smith’s primary concern lies in the team’s inability to execute their game plan, a factor he believes is entirely within the players’ control. “I’m not surprised that we didn’t win,” Smith stated. “I’m just surprised we didn’t play the right way.” This distinction highlights a coaching philosophy focused on process over result, aiming to instill discipline and consistency in the Saints’ offensive rhythm. By identifying specific areas of failure rather than just the scoreboard, Smith is setting a clear trajectory for improvement ahead of the upcoming schedule.
The Saints have a rapid opportunity to demonstrate their resilience and correct these errors when they host Princeton in their home opener at MVP Arena in Albany on Sunday at 1 p.m. Smith is already preparing his players to use the sting of the Bryant loss as a motivational tool. “Remember how you feel right now,” Smith told his team. “That’s the best motivator we have. Remember how you feel the next morning. Don’t let it happen again, because most of that stuff is correctable and under our control.” The upcoming game serves as a critical test of whether the Saints can translate this feedback into a competitive performance.
Source: Yahoo Sports
