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Heading into year seven, Southern Indiana coach Stan Gouard knows things must be different in 2026-27.
The Screaming Eagles won just seven games last season and lost numerous players to the transfer portal. Things need to change, and there was one word that highlighted Gouard’s stance on his new group compared to last season’s.
Unity.
More: Evansville vs Southern Indiana men's basketball game set for November
“I think it’s very important that we develop some type of team camaraderie this summer,” Gouard said. “I don’t think we did enough of that (last year). That’s why you saw the results you saw.”
Establishing that early on certainly will help Southern Indiana in its quest to turn things around. The Screaming Eagles are coming off their worst record since 1971.
Southern Indiana’s 2026 roster features 12 incoming transfers. Just three players are returning: Kaden Brown, Josiah Dunham and Alem Fejzic.
More: UE vs USI men's basketball game is a step in the right direction | Sokeland
Fejzic was not with the team during offseason practices, as he was on national team duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina. As for Brown and Dunham, they have taken on the responsibility of leadership. They understand what Gouard wants, and the messaging is being translated to the newcomers.
One transfer that has stood out is Ari *****, a guard arriving from Alabama-Birmingham. Early on, Gouard likes what he sees from the junior.
“He has a different motor,” Gouard said. “He just has to do a better job of bringing guys along with him. “I’m looking for hard play right now, someone who is going to take ownership of the team.”
Practices began in June, giving Gouard an early impression of where his group stood. How they handled the intensity, pace, conditioning, execution.
Immediately, Dunham said an increased sense of urgency was apparent to him. Gouard could not agree more with the Evansville native.
“It’s a lot different than the past couple years,” Gouard said. “We got to keep these guys in the mindset that we’re going to fight for every single possession. We’re loaded at the guard spot. I think guys came in like, ‘There’s another guy that can easily take my position.’ That’s why you see the intensity level.”
It was all telling for Gouard. The pieces of the puzzle are not all put together just yet though, as he wants his group to play fast and smart. That will take some time to appear but that is what offseason preparation is for.
Gouard was intentional about building this roster with players of similar classes in hopes of having a highly competitive team. His plan is proving to be effective early on.
The togetherness of this group has already taken strides off the court. Team outings, like the one last month at Cambridge Golf Course, push forward Gouard’s focus on building team camaraderie.
“They’ve been hanging out,” Gouard said. “We did a couple team things, watched (the NBA Finals). I walked into this morning’s practice at 6:45 and everybody’s in the locker room. So that’s a good thing, we have to keep that going.”
Other changes with the Screaming Eagles are seen in their coaching staff. Three additions were announced: Stefan King, Doug Novsek and Dylan Ingram.
Novsek is a familiar face having spent the two seasons prior to last on Gouard’s staff. He spent 2025 coaching Mt. Vernon boys basketball.
Novsek's familiarity with Gouard's expectations allow him to have an instant impact on this staff.
“When I yell out a drill, I don’t have to explain it to the other guys,” Gouard said. “He knows what we’re doing.”
Gouard went into the offseason looking for coaches with an understanding of the Ohio Valley Conference. It would not only help with familiarity of the league but also with identifying talent in the transfer portal. Adding King, a former Tennessee Tech assistant, and Novsek checks that box.
A lot had to change for Southern Indiana going into the offseason. After a seven-win season, it is clear why winning basketball games is the main priority. Gouard believes he is assembling the right environment for that aim to become achievable.
“The biggest thing is team camaraderie, trust and accountability across the board,” Gouard said. "I think if we correct those things, that could help us win some ball games.”
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Unity is apparent for new-look Southern Indiana men's basketball
Continue reading...
The Screaming Eagles won just seven games last season and lost numerous players to the transfer portal. Things need to change, and there was one word that highlighted Gouard’s stance on his new group compared to last season’s.
Unity.
More: Evansville vs Southern Indiana men's basketball game set for November
Unity amid change
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“I think it’s very important that we develop some type of team camaraderie this summer,” Gouard said. “I don’t think we did enough of that (last year). That’s why you saw the results you saw.”
Establishing that early on certainly will help Southern Indiana in its quest to turn things around. The Screaming Eagles are coming off their worst record since 1971.
Southern Indiana’s 2026 roster features 12 incoming transfers. Just three players are returning: Kaden Brown, Josiah Dunham and Alem Fejzic.
More: UE vs USI men's basketball game is a step in the right direction | Sokeland
Fejzic was not with the team during offseason practices, as he was on national team duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina. As for Brown and Dunham, they have taken on the responsibility of leadership. They understand what Gouard wants, and the messaging is being translated to the newcomers.
One transfer that has stood out is Ari *****, a guard arriving from Alabama-Birmingham. Early on, Gouard likes what he sees from the junior.
“He has a different motor,” Gouard said. “He just has to do a better job of bringing guys along with him. “I’m looking for hard play right now, someone who is going to take ownership of the team.”
A sense of urgency
Practices began in June, giving Gouard an early impression of where his group stood. How they handled the intensity, pace, conditioning, execution.
Immediately, Dunham said an increased sense of urgency was apparent to him. Gouard could not agree more with the Evansville native.
“It’s a lot different than the past couple years,” Gouard said. “We got to keep these guys in the mindset that we’re going to fight for every single possession. We’re loaded at the guard spot. I think guys came in like, ‘There’s another guy that can easily take my position.’ That’s why you see the intensity level.”
It was all telling for Gouard. The pieces of the puzzle are not all put together just yet though, as he wants his group to play fast and smart. That will take some time to appear but that is what offseason preparation is for.
Gouard was intentional about building this roster with players of similar classes in hopes of having a highly competitive team. His plan is proving to be effective early on.
The togetherness of this group has already taken strides off the court. Team outings, like the one last month at Cambridge Golf Course, push forward Gouard’s focus on building team camaraderie.
“They’ve been hanging out,” Gouard said. “We did a couple team things, watched (the NBA Finals). I walked into this morning’s practice at 6:45 and everybody’s in the locker room. So that’s a good thing, we have to keep that going.”
Coaching additions
You must be registered for see images attach
Other changes with the Screaming Eagles are seen in their coaching staff. Three additions were announced: Stefan King, Doug Novsek and Dylan Ingram.
Novsek is a familiar face having spent the two seasons prior to last on Gouard’s staff. He spent 2025 coaching Mt. Vernon boys basketball.
Novsek's familiarity with Gouard's expectations allow him to have an instant impact on this staff.
“When I yell out a drill, I don’t have to explain it to the other guys,” Gouard said. “He knows what we’re doing.”
Gouard went into the offseason looking for coaches with an understanding of the Ohio Valley Conference. It would not only help with familiarity of the league but also with identifying talent in the transfer portal. Adding King, a former Tennessee Tech assistant, and Novsek checks that box.
A lot had to change for Southern Indiana going into the offseason. After a seven-win season, it is clear why winning basketball games is the main priority. Gouard believes he is assembling the right environment for that aim to become achievable.
“The biggest thing is team camaraderie, trust and accountability across the board,” Gouard said. "I think if we correct those things, that could help us win some ball games.”
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Unity is apparent for new-look Southern Indiana men's basketball
Continue reading...
