Green Bay Basketball Prepares for Bounce-Back Season
Coach Gottlieb Optimistic After Roster Overhaul
After a challenging initial season, the Green Bay men’s basketball team is showing renewed optimism as coach Doug Gottlieb has strategically reshaped the roster for the upcoming year. The team recently gathered for its annual golf outing, signaling a shift in focus from last year’s struggles.
A Year of Transition
Arriving in May 2024, Gottlieb faced an uphill battle with a compressed recruiting timeline. However, one year later, he reports a significantly improved situation.
“Night and day, night and day, and you know everyone you’re meeting you’re meeting for the first time. And for me the recruiting cycle was cut in half, so many coaching staffs were set, and now when we have our golf tournament today I know everybody, who’s coming out. I know the sponsors, I know people, I have relationships.”
—Doug Gottlieb, Head Coach
Junior player Marcus Hall echoes this sentiment, noting a more comfortable team dynamic and an increased sense of urgency following last season’s 4-28 record.
Building a Stronger Squad
Recognizing the team’s deficiencies last year, particularly its youth and lack of size which led to being outrebounded by seven boards per game, Gottlieb prioritized experience and physicality in his recruiting efforts.
His philosophy is clear: “Get old, stay old,”
emphasizing the need for mature players who are committed to the program. The recruitment strategy centered on three key factors: age, toughness, and character.
Senior guard Preston Ruedinger has observed the difference firsthand during summer workouts.
“Older, stronger and a lot bigger. Just trying to get that chemistry with them. Great people, unbelievable young men and just trying to put a team together.”
—Preston Ruedinger, Senior Guard
Facing a Top Program
The revamped Green Bay squad will make its debut this season against perennial powerhouse Kansas. The matchup is a significant test for the team.
“Really excited. Not many people can say they played there and played against coach Self, one of the greatest of all time.”
—Preston Ruedinger, Senior Guard
Gottlieb views the game as a prime opportunity to define his team.
“I always thought like, I’d like to coach there, and Marcus Hall wanted to play there, so let’s go play. They’re really talented, but they got a bunch of high school kids, they don’t know who they are and we’ll see who we are.”
—Doug Gottlieb, Head Coach
The season opener on November 3rd will provide an early indicator of the team’s progress in one of college basketball’s storied venues. In the 2023-2024 season, Kansas ranked 4th nationally in opponent field goal percentage defense, holding teams to just 38.1% shooting. (Sports Reference).
