Men's basketball is the real deal
-Ross Houston
Men's basketball head coach Jack Schrader has a little saying he applies to members of his teams, he told me last year for an interview for a yearbook article.
"Freshman just want to play. Sophomores just want to start. Juniors just want to score 20 points. Seniors just want to win."
He also told me that the team could contend for a national championship next year.
I shrugged this statement off when I first heard it, figuring it was another remark by a coach to shed the best possible light possible on his team.
Next year is now, and the Bulldogs, with a total of 5 seniors, is winning. I might not be shrugging off anything Schrader says anymore.
At first, I figured the wins were just a result of facing "blow-off" teams. After the squad's 77-69 victory of No. 11 Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, I am now a believer.
With the win, the 'Dogs have improved to 12-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA. With just three more victories, the squad will surpass the number of wins in the past two seasons combined.
I think part of the success is due to actually facing the "blow-off" teams. As a former athlete, I know players have a psyche which could make a player sink or swim. Last year, the squad started off with a loss to Div. I SLU. Truman also had to face Div. I Illinois State en route to dropping its first six games. Needless to say, losing six straight games is not the biggest confidence builder in the world.
This year, we faced considerably less difficult teams (other than SEMO). Thus, our players got in the "winning" mindset, which apparently has carried over from game to game.
I'm not going to jinx the team by saying we're going to win a national championship. It's still too early to tell if this team is "THAT" good.
But, we are good. Don't get me wrong. I think we should be nationally ranked after this past victory. We nearly upended SEMO. We played really well against No. 7 Southwest Baptist University and almost came away with a win. We beat the No. 11 team.
It's a shame I'm going to miss the heart of the season and playoffs. But, if the 'Dogs can keep their winning mindset, the basketball world could see shades of the 1999 Final Four squad.
Men's basketball head coach Jack Schrader has a little saying he applies to members of his teams, he told me last year for an interview for a yearbook article.
"Freshman just want to play. Sophomores just want to start. Juniors just want to score 20 points. Seniors just want to win."
He also told me that the team could contend for a national championship next year.
I shrugged this statement off when I first heard it, figuring it was another remark by a coach to shed the best possible light possible on his team.
Next year is now, and the Bulldogs, with a total of 5 seniors, is winning. I might not be shrugging off anything Schrader says anymore.
At first, I figured the wins were just a result of facing "blow-off" teams. After the squad's 77-69 victory of No. 11 Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, I am now a believer.
With the win, the 'Dogs have improved to 12-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA. With just three more victories, the squad will surpass the number of wins in the past two seasons combined.
I think part of the success is due to actually facing the "blow-off" teams. As a former athlete, I know players have a psyche which could make a player sink or swim. Last year, the squad started off with a loss to Div. I SLU. Truman also had to face Div. I Illinois State en route to dropping its first six games. Needless to say, losing six straight games is not the biggest confidence builder in the world.
This year, we faced considerably less difficult teams (other than SEMO). Thus, our players got in the "winning" mindset, which apparently has carried over from game to game.
I'm not going to jinx the team by saying we're going to win a national championship. It's still too early to tell if this team is "THAT" good.
But, we are good. Don't get me wrong. I think we should be nationally ranked after this past victory. We nearly upended SEMO. We played really well against No. 7 Southwest Baptist University and almost came away with a win. We beat the No. 11 team.
It's a shame I'm going to miss the heart of the season and playoffs. But, if the 'Dogs can keep their winning mindset, the basketball world could see shades of the 1999 Final Four squad.
posted by Anonymous at Thursday, January 05, 2006
1 Comments:
You better believe it. I graduated the year we went to the Division II Final Four in Louisville. We probably would have played in the championship, had we not had to play through three overtimes in the quarterfinals. That team was as enjoyable to watch as any team I have ever seen. The players set university records in almost every category.
I could not be more excited about the current squad. Hats off to the players for knocking off CMSU (the chief rival, if you ask me).
Post a Comment
<< Home