PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Even though the fall sports season is still in full swing, both of the Salem basketball programs have been busy at work preparing for the 2023-2024 winter sports campaign. All that hard work combined with the successful campaigns from last season for both squads have clearly caught the attention of coaches and fans around the region, including within the USCAA. This is evidenced by both the men’s and women’s squads being selected as the preseason favorites to take the USCAA Championship in Richmond, Virginia.
Women’s Basketball Season Preview:
After falling just short in the USCAA Division I Championship game last season, first year head coach Nikayla Edgell takes over a team that is hungry to compete for another championship this season. They bring back many of the key players from last year’s squad such as Elena Pericic, Anna Machytkova, Anete Bluma, and Liliani Krause. Additionally, Coach Edgell was able to bring in some new talent that should compliment those returners such as Alderson Broaddus transfers Londaisha Smith and Cassandra Smith. The junior college and transfer portal clearly factored into the Tigers’ offseason plans as Salem also added Frostburg State transfer Carine Pinkney as well as NCAA Division I and junior college veteran Teodora Popovic.
The Tigers will be getting their season officially underway on November 10th when they play Pitt-Johnstown in a pre-season event hosted by Frostburg State, Other key dates this season include:
Early Season Matchup at Indiana (PA) and Head Coach Craig Carey, son of Salem basketball legend and former West Virginia Women’s Basketball Coach Mike Carey (11/13)
Home Opener against Seton Hill (11/15)
Exhibition against NCAA Division I Marshall (12/11)
Men’s Basketball Season Preview:
On the men’s side, the expectations are high for the defending USCAA Division I Champions and first year head coach Vince Thidodeau. Even with the new season, the nucleus of that 2022-2023 squad is still intact with Kapone Barley, Ashraf Tchadouwa, and Brandon Francois all returning for another season with the Tigers.
Salem Men’s Basketball is starting off their season down at regional power Charleston on November 10th in the first game of a pres-season event that will also feature a neutral site game with Glenville State on November 11th. Other key dates include:
Home Opener vs. Seton Hill (11/15)
Salem Hosts 2022-2023 NCAA Division II runner-up West Liberty (11/18)
Thanksgiving Weekend Home Exhibition against Clinton College (11/25)