The Geneseo men’s basketball team is currently playing excellently. The team is riding a three-game win streak.
Their last win came in a 105-78 blowout against SUNY Brockport on Saturday Feb. 3. The Knights played a vigorous game against Brockport, a team that is currently tied for No. 2 in the SUNYACs. Geneseo’s offensive end was incredibly strong and scored in the triple digits for the first time this season.
The men were able to generate so much offensive success, due to precise shooting from beyond the arc. The Knights were 14-22 from three-point range. Eleven of those threes came from junior guard Quinn Carey and senior guard Kevin Crockett. Carey tied his season-high with seven threes and led the team with 25 points. Crockett was a perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc and had 23 total points.
Head coach Steve Minton was not surprised Carey shot so well this weekend.
“He’s such a good shooter; we joke the only way to get him to miss is to not contest him because he’s so good with a hand in his face,” Minton said.
When the Knights are shooting well from three it opens up other areas on the offensive end, allowing more players are able to contribute.
“When those guys get going, they get extra attention and they’re really good at moving the ball and finding open players,” senior forward Jordi Menkhorst said.
When the men play this well, it can be difficult to pick out areas where play can be improved. Minton stressed there is always room to get better, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
“We still have to get better defensively. I always think that’s something night in and night out that can be worked on,” Minton said.
The Knights are in a good position and game to game adjustments seem to be the biggest point of emphasis at the moment.
Geneseo’s current win streak has all been against conference opponents. It includes wins against SUNY Cortland, SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Brockport. The victories have boosted the Knights to No. 4 in the SUNYAC standings, with a conference record of 9-5 and 12-9 overall record. They remain just one game behind Brockport and Cortland, who are tied for second.
The recent success has given the men a great deal of confidence.
“Blowing out Cortland last week and Brockport this week is encouraging because it gives us the confidence that we are one of the best,” Menkhorst said. “If we focus and play to our potential, we can play with the best in the conference and even make a run at winning it all.”
The Knights face two conference opponents this upcoming weekend at home; Friday Feb. 9 will feature a matchup against SUNY New Paltz and Saturday Feb. 10 the men will face SUNY Oneonta.
Anything can happen in conference play, so expect the Knights to be ready for whatever tests come next with their newfound confidence.