Basketball is just around the corner for the Tigers. The start of the season for each squad is a little more than a month away, and it's shaping up to be another good year for DePauw.
Coming off exciting 2012-2013 seasons for both teams, each squad is looking to further the legacy of success when it comes to DePauw basketball.
"We're really excited [for the upcoming season]," senior Camron Burns said. "We're working hard, guys are getting in the gym, lifting weights, and working out...I'm excited."
The women's basketball team is coming off a magical year that resulted in an undefeated season and the second Division III National Championship in school history. The women made it look easy, averaging 71.4 points per game and an average margin of victory of a whopping 25.9 points per game. Coach Kris Huffman, who was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame this past April, reflected on the season fondly.
"We had such an incredible experience...we're so thankful that the student body, the Greencastle community, and the DePauw community jumped on board and helped create such a wonderful environment down the stretch," Huffman said. "There was a lot of momentum last year from the school spirit and the fan base, we enjoyed every minute of it."
The accomplishments from last year haven't made the squad any less focused on going out and achieving even more success during this upcoming season, according to senior Alex Gasaway.
"A positive to take from last year is that you can get what you work for, and it's a motivator to do it again," Gasaway said. "It'd be great to be that senior who goes out on a win, it was great for the seniors last year and we want that too."
The beginning schedule is tough for the Tigers, as they face Millikin University, also former National Champions, in the Centre College Classic and Otterbein University, a Sweet 16 team, in the Franklin Tip-Off Classic.
The men's basketball team is coming off a successful season of their own, with a 16-10 record and a fourth place conference finish in their second year in the North Coast Athletic Conference. They are looking to improve on their performance in the conference tournament especially. Last year, they lost a close game against Wittenberg University 63-62 in the quarterfinals. One of the biggest highlights of the year for DePauw though was senior point guard Alex Payne's buzzer beater in overtime to beat Wittenberg 68-66 in the regular season. Burns still remembers the excitment.
"I'll never forget Alex Payne's game winner [against Wittenberg]...that's a great memory I'll always have from last year."
Heading into their third year as members of the NCAC, the Tigers are looking to have their best year yet since joining the conference. The team is hoping to make it to their 15th NCAA Tournament, and their third appearance in the past seven years. Senior point guard Michael Wilkison has high hopes for this year.
"I'm feeling really good about this season, I feel like we've improved a lot as a team," Wilkinson said. "We're starting to work together to achieve the same goal, which is to win the NCAC."
Both the men's and women's teams open the season with an exhibition game at Butler University. The men's team plays Saturday, Nov. 2 while the women's team plays on Sunday, Nov. 3.