COLUMBUS, Ohio – Under the leadership of longtime head coach
Damon Goodwin, the Capital University men's basketball team will be aiming to return to their 2019 form that saw them win the OAC and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Coach Goodwin certainly sees the potential in his men this season and the team is primed for more after a challenging campaign last year.
Last Season in a Nutshell
The Comets had a disrupted season during the 2020-21 campaign. Dealing with the uncertainties surrounding the COVID pandemic, Capital finished the abbreviated season with an even 4-4 record, while also missing out the final four games of the season due to COVID protocols.
Despite the disruptions, Capital remained steady on the court as several players competed well all season. Making a statement was newcomer
Carter Combs, who finished the year averaging 13.9 points-per-game and claiming OAC Freshman of the Year honors. Additionally, the Cincinnati native earned All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades.
During the season, Capital defeated Muskingum, Wilmington and Baldwin Wallace twice enroute to their .500 record. The team's win in Berea marked their best offensive output of the season as the team poured in 88 points over the Yellow Jackets. In that game, Combs,
Reed Bradfield, and
Keandre Graves all reached double digit scoring.
Late in the season, Capital's match-ups with ONU and Marietta were scratched due to protocol.
Top Returners
As mentioned, the Comets will return their lone All-Conference player from a season ago as Combs will be back for another year. Additionally starters returning include
Griffin Doseck, Graves,
Tyler Schreck, and
Trey Meister.
Schreck was the lone player last season to start all eight games and he averaged six ppg, and he led the team in rebounds (7.0 per game), assists (16) and steals (13). Doseck started seven games a year ago, finishing second on the team in scoring with an even 8.0 ppg and added 5.8 rpg.
Graves started a pair of games as he primarily came off the bench. He averaged 7.0 ppg and 2.9 rpg. Graves was efficient in his shooting as he shot 50% from the floor. Meister started three games and played in all eight, averaging just 3.1 ppg and just over a rebound per game.
Additional players who return for the 2021-22 campaign that saw court time last season include
David Sanford,
Joe Thompson,
Ryan Roth,
Kaleb Crawford,
Nate Gerber, and
Alex Wyatt.
New Faces in the Crowd
Coach Goodwin's roster will feature the addition of seven new faces, as well a handful of new coaches. Of the new players on the court, five of them are freshman, thus creating a fresh group chomping at the bit to compete for court time this season and put pressure on the returners to produce.
In addition to the new faces on the court, Coach Goodwin has a pair of new assistants joining the sidelines this season.
Nick Dials and
Dan Ocke (Capital '15) have been added to the staff and have immediately had an impact on the program. Dials, who most recently served as the head basketball coach at Urbana, has extensive experience in the Division I level, coaching with several mid-major programs. Ocke, a 2015 graduate of Capital, was a prominent member of the team, averaging 7.3 points per game his senior season with the program.
Returning Coaching Staff
Head coach
Damon Goodwin returns to the Capital sidelines for his 27th year in charge of the program. Goodwin, a six-time OAC Coach of the Year and 2009 Regional Coach of the Year, is the winningest coach in Capital history as he boasts 406 career wins at Capital. He has guided Capital to the NCAA Tournament six times in his career.
Returning to Coach Goodwin's side for the ninth straight season is
Anthony Gholson who has helped guide 15 players to All-Conference honors and the team to the 2019 OAC Championship. Gholson also serves as Capital's Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee to help promote diversity and equity within the department.
In the Polls
Capital was picked to finish in a tie for sixth this season, matching BW in the preseason rankings with 35 points. Marietta College, who are ranked No. 3 in the D3Hoops.com preseason rankings, was picked to win the conference with 81 points and nine first place votes. Mount Union was slated second with 73 points and the other first place tally.
FULL OAC RELEASE
Season Schedule
Capital's competition slate will kickstart this evening as the team travels to Division I opponent Miami University for a preseason exhibition game. Tip in Oxford is scheduled for 7 p.m. Capital's rigorous exhibition schedule continues on Saturday, November 6th, as the Comets will travel to Athens to take on another D-I opponent in Ohio University.
The regular season will begin on Tuesday, November 9th, when Capital travels up the road to Ohio Wesleyan University for a 7 p.m. tip. After two more road games, Cap will host their home-opener on Wednesday, November 17th as Denison pays a visit to the Capital Center. Capital's next home game will be on November 28th vs. Manchester and the team will host a Remembrance Game in honor of the life of 2008 graduate Zach Hollingsworth who recently passed away.
The conference slate will tip off on December 4th as the team will host Otterbein University. Capital will then play Muskingum, John Carroll, and Ohio Northern before pausing for the Holidays. The team will return on January 2nd for a conference-heavy second half of the season looking to qualify for the OAC Tournament again.
