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Buies Creek, NC- College Basketball is here. The games and their results matter. Teams and players have begun to figure themselves out. The Campbell Fighting Camels' women's and men's teams began their season with a double-header against non-Division I competition, with the women taking on Mount Olive and the men taking on Pfeiffer.
The story coming into Head Coach Ronny Fisher's ninth season at the helm of the women's team was how quickly the freshmen would get acclimated and make an impact. That question was answered in game one. Olivia Tucker, Jasmine Felton, and Emerson Thompson, all scored in double-figures in the win. Thompson secured the moment of the night with her half court buzzer-beater to end the third quarter for Campbell.
In opening games of a season, coaches are often asked about what they need to improve on after they see how the first game went. However, I asked Coach Fisher if there was something from a preparation standpoint that they executed well on:
"I like the speed of this team and I think our depth is pretty good...We want to pick up full court and try to wear people down. I thought we did a good job of that."
Coach Fisher sure seemed pleased with his teams performance and this game should give them confidence heading into a road game at Western Carolina on Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 6 P.M.
On the men's side, this roster looks a lot different compared to last year. This is the deepest and most talented team in the McGeehan era. The key to this Camels team is how quickly the new pieces can gel. The most impressive from the group of new players was Division II transfer Caleb Zurliene. Zurliene set the tone defensively in the first half with 2 steals and 2 blocks. I asked Caleb after the game about his first game at the Division I level, specifically on defense:
"It's every kids dream to get to this level...There are great players and teams everywhere but this level demands a lot more of you and I love it... I just try to fill the gaps, be in the right place at the right time, and do the little things right...
He also spoke highly of the team and how the defensive system benefits him:
"I feel like the defensive system benefits me and my natural instincts. Sometime I get caught sleeping because I am too worried about helpside... it allows me to be a great help defender. I feel like I am very successful at [help defense]"
While the Fighting Camels won this game in convincing fashion, their Wednesday contest against Virginia will require their best effort for 40 minutes if they want a chance to win. Virginia had an eventful few weeks leading up to the 2024-25 season after Tony Bennett's sudden retirement. This will be the first meeting between Campbell and Virginia. The key to victory will be hitting the three-pointer. They shot 3-17 in this game against Pfeiffer and will certainly have an uphill battle if they replicate that performance against Virginia.
The game against Virginia is Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 at 7 pm, and will be televised on ACCNX. Follow along on X (@TrevorEverette) for live game updates, and for more of my work on House of College Hoops and House Enterprise, head here.
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