It has been an exciting pre-season for the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball and now it's time to start the real season.

The Lakers had a great experience and an impressive record in exhibition action this year which they're hoping translates to success during the regular season.

First, the Lakers had an early training camp in Spain, where the team also went 3-0 to kickoff the year.

The trip proved to be a strong team-bonding experience, as well as got them some time on the court, where they got a head start on some of the competition.

Overall, the team went 6-3 in exhibition play, 3-0 in Spain, 1-2 in Saskatoon at the Graham Shootout hosted by the University of Saskatchewan and 1-1 in their two other matchups.

The team is made up of a solid returning core led by fifth year players Marcus Lewis, Jordan Roberts, Ismael Kaba, Marvin Ngonadi and Jerron Rhodes.

They have also added a trio of true freshmen, as well as three transfers who come with USports experience.

Russell Baker, Girece Kazumba and Ammar Hassan come to the Lakers by way of transfer, while Nicholas Fambegbe, Aleks Novicic and Jason Little are the rookies on this year's roster.

Nipissing has a solid group of players who know their role and fit into the system very well – no matter what they're asking to do.

It's that team-first mentality that will go a long way in having a successful campaign.

Last season, the team came up short of the post-season, finishing with an 8-15 record.

They will look at getting back into the playoffs, where they were in 2016, when they hosted a first round game and came away with a thrilling victory.

The goal is simple – playoffs and then put together a success run. Easier said than done, but the pieces are there, now it's just a matter of making it happen on the court.

The Lakers begin the regular season on the road Halloween Night at Laurentian University in Sudbury.

They will host their home opener later this week, hosting the Lakehead Thunderwolves Friday night with tip-off set for 8pm at the RJS Athletic Centre.
 

Lakers Home Games
Date                                                                      Away                     Home                Time
Friday, November 02, 2018                          LAKEHEAD           NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Friday, November 09, 2018                         MCMASTER           NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Saturday, November 10, 2018                     BROCK                   NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Friday, November 30, 2018                         WESTERN              NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Saturday, December 01, 2018                     WINDSOR              NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Friday, January 04, 2019                              YORK                    NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Saturday, January 05, 2019                         QUEEN'S               NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Friday, January 11, 2019                              OTTAWA                NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Saturday, January 12, 2019                          CARLETON          NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Friday, February 01, 2019                             LAURENTIAN       NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Friday, February 08, 2019                             RYERSON            NIPISSING           8:00 PM
Saturday, February 09, 2019                        TORONTO             NIPISSING           8:00 PM