While most Whitman students will be away from campus for close to a month over winter break, the time away for Whitman’s basketball teams is much less substantial. Both teams will leave on Dec. 22 and return on Dec. 28, just six days later.

The men’s team will host Wells College and Marian University in the days leading up to their short time away. After they return, they will play a series of three road games featuring competitions against Lewis and Clark on Jan. 2, Willamette the next day, and Whitworth on Dec. 6. Though the short break might seem a short for a regular student, head basketball Head Men’s Basketball Coach Eric Bridgeland pointed out that the Whitman team is not unique in its break’s brevity.

Clay Callahan ’15 goes for a shot. Photo by Hannah Bashevkin.

“Every basketball team in the country at every level plays during the break, so it’s an even playing field,” said Bridgeland in an email.

Sophomore Christian McDonald expressed a somewhat similar response to the idea of any perceived unfairness.

“It’s not a burden or anything. Coming into it you know that’s part of the deal,” said McDonald.

Thus far, this season the team has showed promise against some of the top teams in the nation competing against at least three top-25 tournament teams. Against the 13th-ranked team in the nation, Whitman opened up a double digit lead only to fall by 10 in a hard fought game.

As a result of the potential they have shown thus far this season, most players are excited to have the chance to show what they can do to conference opponents.

“Most the guys are just excited to get conference going,” said McDonald.

As far as what the six-day break consists of for the players, Bridgeland made it clear that each player chooses how to spend the six days. He did suggest, however, that there are certain activities that all players should do.

Tochi Oti, ’16- Photo by Hannah Bashevkin.

“Taking time to get up shots and get on the treadmill are staples for all,” said Bridgeland.

Junior Evan Martin already has specific plans for his own way of staying competition-ready.

“I usually just try to relax and get some rest and hangout with my family,” he said.

“That’s actually what keeps me competition ready is being able to keep a clear head.  I mean I will get some shots at the local gym and lift weights, but I don’t go too hard.”

The team’s results and competitive nature leave no question that the six-day break will not affect Whitman negatively.

“We don’t skip a beat,” said Martin.+