ABOUT BASKETBALL AT PRINCIPIA

Principia varsity basketball teams have competed with other colleges for over 60 years, first as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and now as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III college. Throughout these years, in addition to repeated All-Conference honors, Principia has produced NAIA District All-Stars and All-Americans, as well as NCAA nationally-ranked athletes in scoring, steals, and blocked shots. Principia competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC). The eight-member conference yearly plays a home-and-away schedule. The conference tournament winner earns an automatic NCAA Division III tournament bid.

Style of Play

A motion offense and aggressive man-to-man defense characterize the current edition of the Principia College Panthers. A core of solid returning players and promising incoming freshman represent the foundation of future success for the the men's basketball team.

Philosophy

Principia focuses on players with strong work ethics who are excited and committed to progress in basketball through prayer and training. The men's basketball program continues to strive for and promote excellence and achievement through individual skill development, team unity building, and a clear understanding of athletics as a perfect avenue to establish the life habits of prayer and perseverance.

Summer and Fall Training

Summer offers an ideal time for players to devote themselves to the physical and mental development vital to a successful season. Players work with Coach Sprague to develop a training program that will help them perform their team role to the best of their ability. Players are also encouraged to balance their physical efforts with daily metaphysical preparation.

Upon their September arrival on campus, players congregrate as a team and continue their off-season training in preparation for the mid-October official starting date. Starting October 15th, all players and coaches begin practices specifically designed for getting ready for the competitive season.

Pre-Season

The pre-season is primarily geared toward travel, where the Panthers compete with top quality teams from different geographic regions. Travels have included visits to Chicago, Hawaii, the deep South, California, the Northwest, New York City, and various Midwest regions.