While many Carleton students will be lounging around before the winter semester begins, the men’s basketball team will be using their break to train for the second half of their season.
The Ravens travel to Florida Dec. 27 for their annual week of long practices, intense drills and scrimmages. The Charlatan’s Brock Smith caught up with third-year forward Kyle Smendziuk, who shed some light on what the trip is all about.
The Charlatan (TC): What will the team be working on for the week?
Kyle Smendziuk (KS): The first few days we’ll be practicing twice a day, so it’s more like a training camp. The next three days or so, we’ll have one long practice each day. Then we finally get a chance to enjoy some of the trip, so we’ll maybe see some of the sights and head to the beach. The last few days are a little more relaxing than the first few, but normally that depends on how well the team comes prepared.
TC: Will the Ravens have any opportunities to play any of the college teams from Florida?
KS: Nothing has been set as of yet. In past years we’ve played scrimmage games against some of the junior college teams there, but I don’t think the plan this year will be to play any games. The focus is going to be on us.
TC: How will this trip to Florida help the team?
KS: It’s always nice to head down with the team because of the change in atmosphere. It brings a different side to the team culture, which is always fun. [Laughing] I can’t say I’m overly excited to be practicing for a week in a warm gym, but it’s definitely good for the team. It brings us into the New Year more prepared, which puts us a step ahead of the other teams. It will be evident on the court when we come back.
TC: You mentioned earlier that the tail end of the trip can be relaxing, but that it’s dependent on how well-prepared the team is. Does that mean that if the work ethic isn’t there, then the team’s “relaxing time” will be cut?
KS: Assuming that we all are prepared and come into the camp in shape, it won’t be too bad. But if we aren’t . . . then things could go really bad. I doubt that will be the case though.
TC: How will you spend your time in the warm Florida weather while the rest of us freeze in Ottawa?
KS: [Laughing] Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves! Last year, one of the days was around five degrees, which was kind of crappy, but we’ll get to enjoy the weather during the last couple of days. We went on an alligator air-boat tour in the Everglades last year, and normally we get out to the outlet malls as well, which the team likes. We should have some fun down there.
The Ravens own a perfect 8-0 record going into the break and stand alone as the only undefeated team in the Ontario University Athletics East division. The team also sits atop the Canadian Interuniversity Sport top 10 rankings, a spot they have yet to relinquish all season.
Dave Smart and company look to put their hard work into effect on Jan. 7 when they host the Ryerson Rams to kick off the second half of the season.