Last season in early February Cumberlands was a nationally-ranked team with an excellent 20-2 record; the Patriots then lost six of nine games to waste away any chance of advancing to the NAIA National Championship. With that kind of disappointment, Coach Don Butcher and the rest of the Patriots were ready to turn things around this season. Coach Butcher commented, “We have committed that no team is going to play harder than we do.”

Although the Patriots were disappointed with last season’s unfortunate outcome, they were determined to turn this season around. The Patriots started the season out right with four wins over Brevard, Tennessee Wesleyan, Miami Hamilton, and Robert Morris. Then, Cumberlands lost to the NAIA’s #1 Mountain State, but only by a small margin. Four more straight wins brought the Patriot’s record to 8-1 as they lost in disappointing fashion to Brescia too early in the season. As the end of the calendar year rolled around the Patriots moved from not being ranked to as high as 7th in the nation.

Next came five straight wins and then yet another loss to Mountain State, who was now #2 in the nation. After this game conference play started and the Patriots quickly moved through the opponents, knocking off Lambuth, Campbellsville, Georgetown, Knoxville College (non-conference), and Pikeville. Then came powerhouse MSC rival Lindsey Wilson who was ranked #2 at the time of the game. The Patriots fell by ten points at home. Then, in a surprise loss, Cumberlands fell to Lambuth away. The next games saw Cumberlands defeating Campbellsville, then losing to Georgetown. Wins over Knoxville College and Pikeville brought the Patriots to the second game against Lindsey Wilson. Again, the Patriots were defeated, but luckily the regular season was over.

The Mid-South Conference tournament pitted the Patriots against Campbellsville in the first round where they were victorious and advanced on to face Lindsey Wilson, yet again. The Patriots lost, but despite not becoming MSC champs, Cumberlands received an at-large bid to the NAIA tournament. Here, the Patriots faced Louisiana State-Shreveport and lost in double overtime by four points. This was one of the few times in the history of the NAIA tournament that a game came down to double overtime.

The Patriots finished the season with a 22-9 record and ranked #22 in the nation. The Patriots were also recognized for many honors this season. Terico Smothers and Patrick Deveney were each named the MSC Players of the Week this season, as well as being named to the All-Conference Team. Jake Elder was named MSC All-Conference honorable mention. Deveney was also named to the Third Team NAIA All-American list while David Morris was named a Dak-Stats NAIA Academic All-American for the second year in a row.

The Patriots will graduate six seniors this year. Next season Cumberlands will look to the experience of their veterans as they guide the talented new recruits that Butcher will undoubtedly add.