It was a rebuilding year for the State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball team last season, upping its win total by six games and earning its first conference victory since 2016. But, expectations are higher for the Hawks entering the 2018-19 season, aiming to contend for a playoff spot for the first time since 2013.
 
"After a rebuilding year like last year, the expectations are obviously a lot higher," said SUNY New Paltz junior forward Tristan Wissemann. "Last year was a lot more of getting used to the new system, the new coaching staff and just us building a relationship with them. But now this year, it is all systems go from the very first practice October 15. We're feeling really good about our chances and we'll see what the season holds." 
 
The Hawks made strides in coach Keith Kenney's first year at the helm. The team bettered virtually every statistical category from the previous season, while finishing the year at 7-18 overall. In Kenney's second season, SUNY New Paltz will look to more than double that win total, but also get better on both sides of the ball, especially on the offensive end. 

"We're going to be a run-and-gun team, that is what coach wants," said Hawks senior Cory Garcia. "He wants to push in transition and we're going to spread the court, going five-out. Everyone can shoot the three and we're going to hopefully light up the scoreboard." 
  
Although SUNY New Paltz lost some key seniors from last season, including team MVP and leading scorer Dylan Balducci, Kenney brought in some talented newcomers that will see time on the court.
 
Along with incumbents Wissemann, Garcia, Nick Paquette, Matthew English, Paddy Parr, Jake Passaretti, Keith Seaman and Nick Arther who saw ample time, SUNY New Paltz also added freshmen Dylan Fraser, Isaiah Bien-Aise, Caleb Scrime, Brandon Scott and transfers Scott Reisert (SUNY Orange) and Felix Riascos (Herkimer College).
 
"This year I think we got more athletic," Garcia said. "We've got more guys that can shoot the three ball and just more guys this year that are going to bring the energy defensively and we're just going to play a lot more scrappy I'd say."
 
Wissemann ranked second on the team in points (250) and points per game (10.4) last season, while Garcia was one of two players to start all 25 games and led the team in assists (76) and steals (39). Paquette and Parr are the two best returning rebounds, averaging 4.1 and four boards per game, respectively.
 
"After last year I feel like we learned a lot about who we are as a team and where we want to go," Parr said. "The biggest thing we want to do is every day bring 100 percent effort and trying to get better. Not trying to get too high or low, regardless of what is going on. We know we're going to have ups and downs, we are just trying to stay level headed the whole time and just enjoy the ride."
 
The Hawks start their 2018-19 campaign against Western Connecticut State University Nov. 13, before taking on Maritime College in their home opener Nov. 16. SUNY New Paltz will then begin SUNYAC play on the road against defending conference champions Plattsburgh State Nov. 30 and SUNY Potsdam Dec. 1.
 
"We're excited because no one expects much for us. It's been pretty clear and it's been like that for the last couple years at New Paltz, at least for my whole career here," Wissemann said. "So, we're excited to prove some doubters wrong and just do this together as a family."

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