Jordan Doroshenko / Colgate Athletics

As the Colgate University men’s basketball team kicks off their 2024-2025 campaign, early-season challenges have already begun to shape the squad. Following last year’s impressive 25-10 overall record and 16-2 Patriot League record, expectations for the squad are high for the new season. While navigating early setbacks will be key to setting the tone, the team is setting sights on another Patriot League title and a return to the March Madness tournament. 

The early part of the season has tested Colgate, with difficult non-conference games against teams like Drexel and Syracuse, both of which resulted in some hard-fought losses. Senior guard Nic Louis-Jacques acknowledges the difficulties but remains optimistic about the team’s potential. 

“We have a lot of young guys, and they’re in roles they haven’t been in before,” Louis-Jacques said. “We’re learning and getting better day by day.” 

Despite the growing pains, the team’s goal remains clear: to build chemistry and improve with each game. A senior and leader on the team, Louis-Jacques touched on the importance of focusing on attention to detail as well, whether it’s rebounding, defensive rotations or picking up loose balls. Louis-Jacques also stresses that consistency and accountability will be crucial moving forward, and emphasized that everyone needs to raise their level of play to meet the program’s high standards.

“Holding each other accountable, […] self-accountability and mutual accountability are key. Just holding yourself to a certain standard but also making sure that your teammates are getting it done,” Louis-Jacques explained.

Fifth-year Jeff Woodward, another veteran on the team, sees this season as a process. Though the early results haven’t been ideal, he believes the team is steadily improving and learning from each game. 

“It’s a long season, and we’ve shown improvement […]. If we can play consistently at our best, we give ourselves a really good opportunity to win every game we’re in,” Woodward said.

That consistency will be crucial, especially with a challenging schedule ahead. The coaching staff, led by head coach Matt Langel, is focused on instilling discipline and holding players accountable, which Woodward sees as vital in helping the team shape its identity. 

“Every year presents new challenges,” Woodward noted, “and guys have really bought into that and really committed to doing whatever is needed to help get a win, and uphold the tradition that this program has created.”

After winning four straight Patriot League championships, the expectations are high for the Raiders. Even with a younger roster, the goal remains the same: to win the conference and earn another NCAA tournament berth. Sophomore Jalen Cox, one of the team’s rising stars, is confident that despite the early struggles, the team will come together as the season progresses. 

“We’re a pretty young team, we are gonna have these lapses right now early in the season but I feel pretty confident that towards the end of the season, we’ll be good,” Cox explained. 

Colgate’s winning culture is deeply rooted and has become part of its identity. Cox spoke on the team’s attitude and identity as they head in to the remainder of this season.

 “We have this playful manner, we know we are about to go into battle, but we are smiling, we’re grateful for the position we are in right now,” he said.

Off the court, the team has been hard at work in the weight room and during practice, focusing on conditioning and skill development. Cox, for example, has added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, preparing for the rigors of the long campaign ahead. Woodward also has been spending time taking care of his body to ensure his health throughout the season. 

“Yeah, I spend a lot of time in the training room. Working in the weight room. Making sure that movements are going smoothly and taking care of my body in that way,” he said.  

This development mirrors the work put in by several of his teammates, including Louis-Jacques, who worked with NBA trainers and took part in pickup games against elite competition over the summer. 

“I had a great offseason, […] and playing against high-level talent really helped sharpen my game,” Louis-Jacques said. 

While the early part of the season has been filled with learning experiences, the Raiders remain focused on their long-term goals. The team’s leadership, combined with its youthful energy, is driving them to improve game by game. As Colgate enters the heart of their non-conference schedule and prepares for Patriot League play, the players and coaches know the key to success will be in building consistency, maintaining focus, and sticking to the winning traditions that have defined the program in recent years.

With the right blend of senior leadership and contributions from the younger players, Colgate is poised to contend for another Patriot League title and make their mark once again in the NCAA tournament. The season is long, but the Raiders have proven that they know how to rise to the occasion and they’re determined to do it again.