The roar inside Cave Arena has a new edge this season — familiar, but fiercer. Piedmont men’s basketball begins a new chapter under head coach JC Cavin, returning to Demorest after four seasons as an assistant and a year at North Georgia, now stepping into the lead role for the first time. It’s a homecoming that brings continuity, hunger and a renewed standard for the program.
The Lions enter the 2025–26 campaign with something to prove. After being eliminated by Huntingdon in the CCS Quarterfinals last season, the Lions are determined to take a step forward. Piedmont was voted third in the Collegiate Conference of the South Preseason Coaches Poll, slotting them just behind Maryville and Asbury in what’s shaping up to be a tightly contested conference race. But the excitement surrounding the Lions isn’t just about their ranking — it’s about their foundation.
“We have an older team with a lot of experience that we’re really excited about,” Cavin said. “Our guys are going to give their all every single day in practice, in the classroom, weight room and then especially in games. We’re going to be a team that wants to play fast, and I’m excited about building relationships with the guys and continuing those after basketball as well.”
The new head coach believes this roster is built on two key pillars: depth and experience. “I think one of the biggest things for us is the depth of our team,” Cavin said. “Everyone being able to contribute across the board, from the freshmen coming in to the seniors we have coming back, that depth and experience is really going to help us.”
While the team said goodbye to former standout Bailey Wiseman, the offense still returns plenty of firepower, with four of last season’s top five scorers returning, meaning their offensive attack is still lethal.
Among them is Dylan Patrick, coming off an impressive 2024–25 campaign that saw him earn CCS Second-Team All-Conference honors, lead returning players with 13.8 points per game, and a 54.9% field goal percentage. He has approached this offseason with intention.
“I’ve been watching a lot of film from last season to see where I can improve and try to work on those weaknesses as much as possible,” Patrick said. “I’ve also been doing a bunch of rehab with the trainer so I can be as close to 100 percent as possible.”
Joining him are dynamic returners Fisher Darden, a CCS Second Team All-Conference selection, and Javi Marlowe, who led the team with 5.7 rebounds per game. While the trio brings star potential, Cavin has made one thing clear: success will not depend on a few players; it will depend on the entire team. Leadership will define this group as much as skill. Cavin is empowering upperclassmen with real responsibility — from setting the tone in stretching, practice, and locker-room standards to representing the team on the road. It’s not symbolic leadership; it’s lived leadership.
“Player-led teams are usually the best teams,” he said. “We thought it was a good way to give them responsibilities to help them grow in those areas and lead from within. We need everyone to step up and contribute.”
Even with proven scoring threats, the Lions aren’t hanging their identity on offense. Cavin is instilling a defense-first mindset from day one.
“We’re very positive on the offensive end,” Cavin said. “But on the defensive end, we have to hone in and be better. Practices are going to be more defense-heavy. That’s one of the biggest priorities right now.”
The culture of Cavin’s program, however, goes beyond statistics—it’s about the relationships built within the team. “The most connected teams win at the highest level,” Cavin said. “That’s what we’re striving for — making sure we can count on each other on the court.”
Patrick echoed that mindset, noting a shift in how the team works both on and off the court. “As a team, we’ve been doing workouts together outside of practice, and we also hang out off the court as much as possible because we know how important it is to stay together and have good chemistry,” Patrick said.
For a team driven by depth, shared accountability, and rising leadership, that mindset could be the difference between last season’s early exit and a breakthrough run come February. Piedmont’s home court advantage and the energy inside Cave Arena are expected to play significant roles as the Lions push toward a new standard — and a new identity under Cavin.
The Lions tip off the season this Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. inside Cave Arena, facing a statement-level opener against No. 3-ranked Emory.
