DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball head coach David Doino believes his team has plenty of potential heading into the 2018-19 season. If the Cougars can grow and get better each day, the sky is the limit. The Cougars kick off their season at home against non-conference foe Eastern Mennonite University on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.


FIVE KEYS TO THE 2018-19 SEASON

ADAPTING EARLY
Fifth-year Averett head coach David Doino has installed new offensive and defensive philosophies this season, so adapting early in game situations will be crucial to the Cougars' success. Doino says his players will need to show discipline on defense, and work to create movement and spacing on offense to set up plays.

DEVELOPING THE JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES
A bulk of Averett's roster is comprised of sophomores and juniors. Many of them saw playing time last season, giving them valuable experience entering the 2018-19 campaign. Juniors Ian Best, Timothy Henry, Vince Contreras, Louis-Patrick Mua and Moriba Diaby should contribute solid minutes after most of them saw starting time or key minutes in reserve. Doino also expects members of his sophomore class that includes Montre' Cash and Harrison Cochran, to be much improved with a year of collegiate basketball under their belt. The jumps those two groups take will determine how far Averett can go this season.
 
LIMITING TURNOVERS
After reviewing the statistics and film from last season, Doino has stressed the need to limit turnovers. Last season, the Cougars lost several close games where a few possessions could have changed the outcome. And there were some games, Doino said, where the Cougars won but it shouldn't have been as close if they hadn't turned the ball over. Ultimately, the team's goal this season is to have less than 10 turnovers a game.
 
EFFORT & PASSION
Doino coaches with a passion during practices and games, and he expects his players to bring the same enthusiasm and effort. If this year's team can continue to show the same traits that his past teams have on the court, it will go along way in helping the Cougars fine success.The Cougars will need to play hard, especially in some matchups where they might be undersized.

END GOAL
Doino has preached to his team this preseason that it is important to understand that the process leads to the product. With the season starting a week earlier than normal due to new NCAA rules, being in midseason form is unlikely. It's important for the Cougars to learn, get better each day and become the team they want to be by December or January once conference play begins.

The Cougars have a strong non-conference schedule filled with perennial powers from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Averett opens with Eastern Mennonite, Hampden-Sydney College, Guilford College, Ferrum College, Virginia Wesleyan University and Roanoke College before starting league play on Dec. 7 at Brevard College.

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Watch the 2018-19 Averett men's basketball preview here.