The day and life of a GA State Basketball PlayerBy: Tiffanie Smith

James Vincent’s pre game day preparation does not involve over preparing the night before as most athletes like to do. He actually describes the day before a game “like any other day.” “The day really isn’t any different than any other day other than the constant question, “Do ya’ll have a game today or tomorrow,” said Vincent. “ The day goes on like any other day thus far.” Therefore, there really is not too much pressure in his eyes to go out and have to win a game the next day.“I never get nervous before a game,” said Vincent. “I just play the game like any other game.” This athlete uses a different approach when it comes to preparation before a game, and that is to just stay calm and relax. The Signal followed this panther through his routine of preparing the day before and after the teams last game in the Colonial Athletic Association facing Northeastern.

2/26- Day before game day

7:30 a.m.-Vincent wakes up and hits snooze until it’s the right time to get up

8:30 a.m. – Finally deciding to get out of bed, Vincent gets up, brushes his teeth, washes his face walk out door to practice

9:00 a.m. – At this time, Vincent gets to the locker room and puts on gear for practice

9:40 a.m. – Vincent then heads up to practice floor. “We go over the plan on how to play our opponent and ways to alter their plays in order to get the upper hand.” We run drills like Continuous or Fast Break Build-up to get in the flow of how the other teams may play.”

11:00 a.m. – Vincent showers and heads to café for lunch

11:30 a.m. – Vincent lunch includes ginger ale, apple juice, bowl of mixed fruit and two turkey sandwiches

11:50 a.m. – Vincent heads to class

1:15 p.m. –Vincent leaves class

1:20 p.m. – Vincent gets hungry again an decides to grab a snack from café including three slices of pizza and orange juice

1:45 p.m. – Vincent likes to rest up so he leaves for room to take a nap

2:15 p.m. –Vincent gets up and leaves for class

2:30 p.m. – work on ceramics project

5:20 p.m. – leave class5:30 p.m. – Vincent eats his pre=game dinner including an apple cider pork loin, carrots, bowls of fruit, and powerade

9:00 p.m. – Vincent loves video games, so he plays dead space 3 (xbox 360)

10:30 p.m. –Vincent go to bed

2/27-Game Day

7:30 a.m.- Vincent wakes up

4:00 p.m. – Vincent takes a nap before the game and eats the team meal. ““My pre-game routine is to take a good two hour nap before every game,” said Vincent. “I don’t have a pre-game meal, I just eat whatever they gave us at team meal. It normally includes pasta, salad, water, Powerade and lots of carbs.”

6:45 p.m. – Vincent and the team receive a pre-game speech from head coach Ron Hunter. “Yes we do have pre-game speeches mostly done by Coach Hunter,” said Vincent. “His speeches are used to get us motivated and deserving to win the game because of all the prep work we’ve done.”

7:00 p.m.- The game starts

About 10: 00 p.m.- The game ends, resulting in a loss from Northeastern.

2/28- Day after game day“I usually just lay in the bed trying to stay of feet if it’s not a school day,” said Vincent. “Rest and drinking plenty of liquids is the best way to recover after a game, especially for a big guy like me. Other than that, I don't do anything particularly.”

7:30 a.m.- Vincent wakes up and hits snooze until it's the right time to get up

8:30 a.m. – Vincent gets up, brushes his teeth, washes his face and walks out the door to eat a different breakfast including apple juice, eggs, bacon and waffles

1:20 p.m. – After class, Vincent grabs his usual snack from café -three slices of pizza, orange juice

1:45 p.m. - Vincent leaves for the room to take his usual nap

2:15 p.m. – Vincent gets up and leaves for spanish class

3:20 p.m. –Vincent leaves class

6:15 p.m. – Vincent looks over notes from next class

9:00 p.m. –Vincent plays dead space 3 (xbox 360) again10:30 p.m. – Vincent goes to bed