In the very first meeting with his team, newly hired State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball coach Keith Kenney didn't waste any time to talk about defense.
The Hawks gave up 84.6 points per game last season, which was a big factor in their 1-23 finish. But this winter, with first-year coach Kenney and assistant coaches Tom Bell and John Wherry, the SUNY New Paltz staff has stressed the importance of defense every day at practice, and thus far the team has bought in.

"Defensive intensity has been a key focus this year and we have been stepping it up big time," said SUNY New Paltz junior guard/forward Nick Paquette. "That was one of the key reason's we weren't successful last year. And just how we've been practicing this year, everyone is focused, everyone is intense and we've seen major improvements."
The Hawks are looking to bring high defensive intensity every night, as they will mainly play straight man-to-man defense this season. They hope their defense will drive a successful winter.

"That's what I've been telling them. No matter who you are, you are going to have off nights offensively. I feel like you have much more control over the defensive end," Kenney said. "I think defensively you have much more control over the game. I've always said to them the better we defend the more games we'll be in."

SUNY New Paltz returns 11 players from last year's team including, seniors Kevin Coyle and Dylan Balducci, and juniors Cory Garcia and Nick Paquette. Coyle played two games last season for the Hawks and put up big numbers (17 points, five rebounds per game), while Balducci, Garcia and Paquette were among the team leaders in points, averaging 12, 6.6 and 8.5, respectively.

"We have very high expectations for our team this year," Paquette said. "Coming off a season where we didn't do too well last year, we're coming back re-vamped this year. We have a good set of returners, a good core group of veterans and a bunch of good young guys. We think we can do damage this year in the conference."

Garcia is the only returner who started all 24 games last season, but sophomore forward/center Nick Arthur (5.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg), sophomore forward Matthew English (4.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and senior forward/center James Saunders (5.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg), each saw heavy minutes last year.

"We have a lot of strengths I believe," Balducci said. "We have a lot of guys who can see the court and that can contribute in different ways, which is a good thing for us. We have a lot of returners coming back from last year, so we have some experience. I think it is going to help us a lot this year."

Also coming back to the team is sophomore forward Bryce Layne, sophomore guard/forward Tristan Wissemann, sophomore center Konrad Dalland, junior guard Paddy Parr, junior guard Matt Misser and senior forward Brandon Guest.

Along with the returners, the Hawks bring in freshmen guards Kyle Locastro, Jake Passaretti, Jackson Vertucci, and Keith Seaman.

 "At this point my impressions are that they are a captive audience who has an open mind and is willing to listen and try new things," Kenney said. "Everybody seems very positive and working hard, and has a great attitude towards hopefully what we want to do."

On the offensive end, the Hawks are looking to push the ball up the floor and take advantage of their depth in the back court with multiple ball-handlers, along with being more aggressive at the basket.

"At all times we'll have two or three guys bring the ball up," Kenney said. "The main thing we're preaching on the offensive end is freedom and positivity. I think we need to play more aggressive on the offensive end. We need to share the ball better on the offensive end. I don't want them out there feeling like they have to run a set play every time down. I want them to be able to react on what the defense is doing."

With a new system in place the Hawks are trying to create a new culture for the program, and beyond the wins and losses just play hard each night out and compete with anyone who steps on the floor with them.

"I've been telling them that we don't talk wins and losses, we just talk about playing up to our standard," Kenney said. "Defending and competing every day, and playing with joy. Those are the three things we've talked about and I feel like if we do those things that stuff will take care of itself."

SUNY New Paltz kicks off its season Nov. 17 at the Muhlenberg Tournament against Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA at 8 p.m. The Hawks will play a second round game Saturday before their home-opener against Vassar College Tuesday at 7 p.m.

For updates, highlights, videos, recaps and more on everything #NPHawks, be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook.