Hello from the bustling CNU campus! A lot has gone on here lately – the fall sports are entering their stretch runs with conference and NCAA championships right around the corner, midterms are over and the academic term is heading towards its conclusion, Homecoming weekend with all its events just passed, and of course, basketball practice is now in full swing. That's a lot to get caught up on!
 
As it is with almost all teams, our first few practices were extremely energetic, fast-paced, and intense. The guys were really looking forward to getting started and it has shown so far. The basketball season is one of the longest of any college sport, so naturally there are going to be ebbs and flows, ups and downs, with a team's energy and execution throughout the season. Energy far outpaces execution at this point of the season, but that is to be expected.
 
Practice has been conducted at a high level so far, but we are still a work in progress and have a number of areas that we need to improve upon here in the early going. As a coach, you are constantly looking for the most effective methods that will ingrain your major principles and philosophies into the heart and minds of the team. It is an ever-evolving process, and requires a lot of analyzing and preparation. Right now, the highest priorities are making the players better individually and implementing the team's offensive and defensive systems, which to me are very exciting and fun aspects of coaching college basketball.
 
We experienced our first outside challenge this past Saturday when the squad hosted our young basketball alumni in the second annual Alumni Game. There was a tremendous turnout of CNU men's basketball alumni, ranging from those who played in the early 1970s all the way up to those who played last season.
 
This level of support is amazing to have and it is much appreciated. One of the greatest aspects of CNU basketball is the illustrious championship tradition that the program has enjoyed over the past few decades. We are very fortunate to be able celebrate this tradition with our alumni at events like our Alumni Day, while also working to put our own mark on this legacy.
 
As for the game itself, the Alumni team certainly challenged us on both ends of the floor. The current Captains managed a 100-90 victory, and in the process we were able to learn a good deal more about ourselves as a team and as individual players. The game also allowed the coaching staff to identify those areas that we really need to focus on during the next few weeks. Again, we are certainly a work in progress, but we are getting there.
 
Another phenomenal CNU tradition took place last weekend – Midnight Madness. I can personally say I never cease to be impressed with the incredible support we receive from the CNU students and surrounding community. The Freeman Center was jam-packed Friday night as the men's and women's basketball teams were introduced.
 
Like last year, there were many entertaining moments. A few of the guys were able to put on a show during the Slam Dunk contest. Congrats to sophomore Tra Benefield on defending his title, although freshman Corey Cooper might pose a big challenge next year. The whole night was a great time and a lot of fun for everyone involved. However, I must report that I have burned all video footage of our guys attempting to find their groove during the dance-off competition – hide the women and children!
 
This is an exciting time here at CNU athletics. Soon enough all of our fall sports will be competing in their respective conference championships, starting this weekend with the hard-working coaches and runners of our cross country teams.

For us over in men's basketball, we have another week or so of practice before a scrimmage next weekend. Our November 8^th home exhibition vs. Division I Hampton University will be here before you know it. This means we will need to step it up and keep working our tails off to get better every single day. The ride is just starting, but soon enough we'll be taking it up another notch: and we can't wait!