Madness from March continues for UW-Oshkosh
OSHKOSH, Wis. (BVM) — March 7 – just days before the sports world would see a shutdown – UW-Oshkosh faced North Central College in the Second Round of the Division III NCAA Tournament.
The tough overtime loss was the last game for Oshkosh, but also the last game for North Central College.
Although Oshkosh would have prefered to win that Second Round game, the what if factor was taken out for the team.
“We did receive closure in a way,” Head Coach Matthew Lewis stated.
There were no fears leading up to the second round game, but then the Sweet Sixteen would never occur. If Oshkosh would have pulled off that win, their season still would have ended, not because of a loss but because of a global pandemic.
The Titans are back on campus and ready to fight again, but are unsure what their season will look like yet. The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has yet to release the 2020-2021 schedule.
For now the Oshkosh men’s basketball players are, “working hard to excel in the classroom.”
Team practice, in small groups, began on October 5 and it has been a challenge.
“We are just trying our best to enjoy each opportunity we have to be together” Lewis said.
Creativity has been a new coaching style for Lewis.
“The small group setting has forced us to be more creative in how we teach our concepts,” Lewis said. “In some ways, it has been better for us.”
This year the Titans do not feel as rushed as they normally do with a regular schedule.
This time last year, two games would have already been in the books.
Lewis feels he is more relaxed this year and just looking as far into the future as he feels he can.
“I am more laid back right now than I normally am,” Lewis said. “But we are enjoying each day as much as possible.”
You never know what tomorrow will look like, so going day by day is the best method for this team and coaching staff.
Lewis is thankful during this time to have the players and coaching staff he does.
“I am super fortunate to be a college coach during this time. No, it is not a normal year and there have been many challenges, but our coaching staff still has jobs, and our players are getting to go to school and play basketball.”
Positivity is not lacked on this team during an unknown time.
“All things considered, we have it good,” Lewis said “We need to keep perspective and be thankful for what we got.”
