Bobcat basketball begins Saturday

Nov. 8—There is so much to learn, being a college head coach for the first time, so much which even being an assistant doesn't prepare one.

2022-23 was the rookie head coaching season for Ryan Aquino after he was promoted from the assistant's chair in the Georgia College & State University men's basketball program. After a year of dealing with personnel issues — not knowing who was going to be available from day to day — the Bobcats finished at 9-18, 5-13 in the Peach Belt Conference. Only four players suited up and participated in 26 of the possible 27 games; another pair of key producers only took part in 22 games combined.

College sports can also be about attrition, but Aquino has seven players returning for the 2023-24 campaign, which begins Saturday against Limestone College at North Georgia. That's just those who played in Bobcat games and doesn't include those who were a part of the program as redshirts.

Remember redshirts in this age of the transfer portal?

"We didn't have the greatest success on the court last year," said Aquino, who always hears about how the first year can be tough. "Surprisingly (what I learned) wasn't a lot about the basketball. Basketball, for me, I felt very prepared with x's and o's, the recruiting, the budgets.

"Some of the non-basketball stuff ... in year's past I could spend a lot more time on scouting and game plans. All of a sudden, people want to talk to the head coach, have meetings with the head coach, behind-the-scenes stuff that wasn't basketball-related. That was a bigger adjustment. It had nothing to do with the on-the-court stuff."

9-18 would classify as a down year for a program like the Bobcats that, the season before, won 21 games and had an NCAA Southeast Regional bid. Aquino is one who is process-driven and wants his team playing its best at the end of the season.

"I want to take guys and develop them on and off the court," he said. "I was extremely proud that our guys never quit. They kept fighting until the very end. Other teams you see out there, they lay down, they realize they are not going to win the championship. Our guys, our seniors, kept going until the end. We got some wins late (Clayton State and Flagler) that were memorable."

Aquino also said goodbye to four seniors whom he said had great careers. The younger players in turn learned a lot, so their process is just beginning and the coach sees that as a benefit going into the new season.

The Bobcats added three transfers and three from high school plus three who were those redshirts.

"The guys who redshirted have a chance to get into the rotation," said Aquino. "Some of that recruiting was actually done a year ago. With our three freshmen, they may be looking at redshirts. I think they have bright futures. The three transfers are still developing, a couple on the younger side and one is a graduate transfer ... he is a little more ahead of the curve.

"We are very up front with them (about redshirting). We may lose kids because of it. We tell them when they come in the speed and the size is so different from high school that you may be looking at a redshirt year. While you adjust, after that year is over you are going to say, 'Wow. That was the best thing for me.'"

Leading scorer and rebounder Brendan Rigsbee (309 points, 132 boards) and Ian Davis were redshirt freshmen on last year's team and are back as redshirt sophomores.

"Guys buy into it as long as we're up front and honest with them from the get-go," said Aquino.

Luke Chism and Zyair Greene return to the Bobcats, and Aquino said they are healthy and expects "bounce-back" seasons from them. Rigsbee — former transfer from Alabama-Huntsville — and Richard Crawford III made improvements at the guard spots. Davis and Austin Sloan (242 points) earned starting nods towards the end of last season.

"All four look to be really strong," said Aquino. "One step further along in that process. They understand the offense and defense better. A lot of good returning pieces."

Jake Mooney, a 6-7 forward from West Forsyth; Oscar Lynch, a 6-5 forward from Pinecrest; and Aidan Kudlas, a 6-3 guard from North Forsyth are the redshirts, and Aquino said they look stronger and more experienced in the system. The early part of the season is their chance to earn more minutes as the team gets into the Peach Belt Conference schedule.

Brady Spence is the graduate transfer from The Citadel whom Aquino recruited when Spence was in high school. Aquino said Spence reached out and wanted to play for the Bobcats, and the coach expects him to "make some noise" early. Najhae Colon, from Kell High School, is a point guard who transferred from a New Jersey junior college who's made strong pushes in practice.

"I'm a defensive guy," said Aquino. "I want to be a defense-first guy, holding guys more accountable on the defensive side, making sure if they are not playing defense they are not going to stay in the games. Offensively, it's going to be a little different. It took some time last year to get comfortable in it (after a mid-season change). This year we are building off of it, learn and grow in that offense ... playing faster."

In the win over Flagler Feb. 22, it was 101-87. Aquino said that was the first time GCSU reached 100 points in 15 years. He said it made people try to slow the Bobcats down whereas in the past the Bobcats have been the slower team under control. Now, Aquino said they are going to push the basketball, not try to call plays so much if they get possession with their defense, and bring a more exciting style to The Centennial Center.

"I don't promise what the ceiling is yet, because I don't know it," he said. "I think we have an opportunity to be better."

Bobcat basketball on the men's side won't be in The Centennial Center until Jan. 6 against USC-Aiken. Before that the Bobcats go to Tampa, Ft. Valley State, Southern Wesleyan, Emmanuel, Albany State, Auburn-Montgomery and former Peach Belt member Young Harris.

"The Peach Belt is always loaded," said Aquino. "Two years ago, Augusta goes to the national championship. They return everybody and last year end up finishing third in the PBC. You don't know what you are going to get. Last year Aiken and North Georgia finished first and second. Aiken and North Georgia return everybody, so you assume they will be great."

This year's Augusta team beat Georgia Southern in an exhibition. Flagler gave Florida State all it could handle in another exhibition.

For the GCSU non-conference, Aquino wanted a good mix of good competition and close travel, and he wants to see how the team handles roadtrips and tough environments. It also gets them away from the comforts of home and friends while creating bonding experiences.

"I'm excited to see what we're made of, that road-warrior mentality," said Aquino.