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This is my declaration of excitation. It may not be as significant as the Emancipation Proclomation (they rhyme, you see), but it is significant in it's own way.

I was excited before this season started, but I must say this first. I always liked Dan Dakich. I liked him personally, and I liked his intensity as a coach. I guess I just like the hard nosed mentality that Bobby Knight upbringing brought to the table. I was very sad to see him leave the nest, and to be honest, I still miss him. This has nothing to do with today's team. I'm just saying is all, for the sake of full disclosure.

That said, when the hiring process for a new coach began last year, I was not sure that we would be able to find a coach that could achieve the things that Dakich did at one point in time. We're all aware of the fiscal restraints that govern our U's hiring abilities. But, when Coach Orr was hired, I was intrigued. When I met him and spoke with him for a bit at the summer golf outing, I was impressed. Coach Orr is an extremely personable man, and if you haven't yet met him, please make it a point to do so. I've no doubt that he wouldn't mind, and you will surely enjoy the experience.

So, after this summer, I was intrigued. At that point we had a great man for a coach who had a great resume, and all that was left was for things to transpire on the hardwood. Because of the timing of his hiring, the uncertainty of which players would stay and which wouldn't, my expectations for Coach Orr's first season, as I think everyone else's were, were very low. As the non-conference schedule wore on, we lost some games that were kind of 'might-have-won's,' and we won others that we weren't expected to. Cincinatti comes to mind. In retrospect, this was kind of par for the course for our program (I still remember the VT win last year like it was yesterday).

Once we got into conference play, though, things, have changed. This team has coalesced around Coach Orr's philosophy, and it has embraced his concepts. And, despite the loss of the team's only senior, they have continued to progress at a rate that none of us ever expected they would this season. This program is evolving. Having graduated from BGSU only three years ago, I have never really watched a program that I have truly care about evolve from the ground up before. I was excited at the beginning of this season, if only because we had a coach with a history that I wasn't expecting and because it was a new beginning. Halfway through the conference schedule, sitting in second place in our division, in the strongest division in our conference, I am excited like I have never been for this program, or any other (excluding our women's program - Curt Miller is awesome).

I have seen a lot of discussion lately about where we are, and where we are going, but I haven't seen many people (there have been a few) who have really put everything into perspective. Obviously, I think it's time we do that. This team is going places. What Coach Orr has been able to do with the talent that he was given has been absolutely remarkable. What do we have to look forward to? What Coach Orr can do with the talent that he recruits and feels fit his system. I don't mean that as a slight to any player currently or formerly on this team, but we all know how recruiting works.

So, there it is. I am more excited about this program than I have ever been before. It's going to be a fun ride over the next several years as we watch this whole thing grow.

I am excited as well. Man has this team really impressed me and gotten better as the season has gone on. BG Basketball is fun to watch again. Nate, Joe, Chris, Otis, Daryl, Brian, etc. they are alot of fun to watch play night in and night out. This team plays with such heart and determination and intensity. Their defensive effort all year has been oustanding. I can't wait till the boys come back home to play Central just to watch them in person again. And I really hope we beat UT by about 30 on ESPNU!
GO BG Basketball!!!

I am also excited about the team, I love how the have overcome the tough situations (in 4-game losing streak, the beating at Akron) and responded instead of just fading away

Count me in as well. If this is a sign of what's to come, we're in for quite a ride. There are plently of teams would have thrown in the towel after a game like Akron. This team works hard, buys into what Coach Orr preaches, improves every day and maximizes their abilities.

The formula for winning in the MAC is recruiting solid players and developing their talent over four or five years. We are poised to replicate that model and establish ourselves as a consistent contender in the conference.

JoeFalcon wrote:Count me in as well. If this is a sign of what's to come, we're in for quite a ride. There are plently of teams would have thrown in the towel after a game like Akron. This team works hard, buys into what Coach Orr preaches, improves every day and maximizes their abilities.

The formula for winning in the MAC is recruiting solid players and developing their talent over four or five years. We are poised to replicate that model and establish ourselves as a consistent contender in the conference.

Good post, Joe, and everyone else. While the Niz and I were sitting at that Akron game, I never would have guessed BG would be doing this well. I think that Akron game was a blessing in disguise cuz I think it pissed these cats off.

I can't wait to get up to AA on 2/16 for the Akron rematch. But first, BEAT WMU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is GREAT!

Falconfreak, there's definitely some truth to that Akron game riling these guys up. They haven't lost since, and are playing great basketball, especially on the defensive end. They took down a Miami team last Wednesday night that is arguably much more talented, and followed it up with wins against two of the MACs bottom feeders. Things are going very well to be sure. There are some much bigger games on the horizon, which is a great thing to have happen this late in the season.

Coach Orr is doing a phenomenal job. Back in the summer I had a feeling that just by subtracting Dan Dakich the team would be better off, but Orr has taken that and run with it by turning the team into a defensive stalwart, and finding a true PG that rocks the house.

bgsufalcon24 wrote:Falconfreak, there's definitely some truth to that Akron game riling these guys up. They haven't lost since, and are playing great basketball, especially on the defensive end. They took down a Miami team last Wednesday night that is arguably much more talented, and followed it up with wins against two of the MACs bottom feeders. Things are going very well to be sure. There are some much bigger games on the horizon, which is a great thing to have happen this late in the season.

Coach Orr is doing a phenomenal job. Back in the summer I had a feeling that just by subtracting Dan Dakich the team would be better off, but Orr has taken that and run with it by turning the team into a defensive stalwart, and finding a true PG that rocks the house.

24,

Oh I agree about the Akron game. I was standing above the hallway that leads to the visitor's locker room and when the team was coming off the floor, there were NO heads dropping in depression. There were looks of severe anger...they KNEW they could play much better. I mean, just the look on JJ's face said it all to me. Plus, add the fact that a walk on for UA got in the game with 5 min left and threw up 30 ft 3 pointers (which he made 2 of 3 I believe) really riled these guys. UA's student section (all 100 of them ) were laughing at BG and yelling lots of nasty stuff to them as they walked off the floor.

I'm telling ya right now...BG is gonna beat the Zippies in the rematch and I will be there to see it. I hate CrAkron.

BEAT WMU

Falconfreak90 wrote:

bgsufalcon24 wrote:Falconfreak, there's definitely some truth to that Akron game riling these guys up. They haven't lost since, and are playing great basketball, especially on the defensive end. They took down a Miami team last Wednesday night that is arguably much more talented, and followed it up with wins against two of the MACs bottom feeders. Things are going very well to be sure. There are some much bigger games on the horizon, which is a great thing to have happen this late in the season.

Coach Orr is doing a phenomenal job. Back in the summer I had a feeling that just by subtracting Dan Dakich the team would be better off, but Orr has taken that and run with it by turning the team into a defensive stalwart, and finding a true PG that rocks the house.

24,

Oh I agree about the Akron game. I was standing above the hallway that leads to the visitor's locker room and when the team was coming off the floor, there were NO heads dropping in depression. There were looks of severe anger...they KNEW they could play much better. I mean, just the look on JJ's face said it all to me. Plus, add the fact that a walk on for UA got in the game with 5 min left and threw up 30 ft 3 pointers (which he made 2 of 3 I believe) really riled these guys. UA's student section (all 100 of them ) were laughing at BG and yelling lots of nasty stuff to them as they walked off the floor.

I'm telling ya right now...BG is gonna beat the Zippies in the rematch and I will be there to see it. I hate CrAkron.

BEAT WMU

February 16th can't get here soon enough.

I swear, that week (February 10th-16th) is going to be the biggest AA has seen in years. We open the week with Toledo, and finish it with Akron.

bgsufalcon24 wrote:

Falconfreak90 wrote:

bgsufalcon24 wrote:Falconfreak, there's definitely some truth to that Akron game riling these guys up. They haven't lost since, and are playing great basketball, especially on the defensive end. They took down a Miami team last Wednesday night that is arguably much more talented, and followed it up with wins against two of the MACs bottom feeders. Things are going very well to be sure. There are some much bigger games on the horizon, which is a great thing to have happen this late in the season.

Coach Orr is doing a phenomenal job. Back in the summer I had a feeling that just by subtracting Dan Dakich the team would be better off, but Orr has taken that and run with it by turning the team into a defensive stalwart, and finding a true PG that rocks the house.

24,

Oh I agree about the Akron game. I was standing above the hallway that leads to the visitor's locker room and when the team was coming off the floor, there were NO heads dropping in depression. There were looks of severe anger...they KNEW they could play much better. I mean, just the look on JJ's face said it all to me. Plus, add the fact that a walk on for UA got in the game with 5 min left and threw up 30 ft 3 pointers (which he made 2 of 3 I believe) really riled these guys. UA's student section (all 100 of them ) were laughing at BG and yelling lots of nasty stuff to them as they walked off the floor.

I'm telling ya right now...BG is gonna beat the Zippies in the rematch and I will be there to see it. I hate CrAkron.

BEAT WMU

February 16th can't get here soon enough.

I swear, that week (February 10th-16th) is going to be the biggest AA has seen in years. We open the week with Toledo, and finish it with Akron.

No doubt. Too bad I can't get up there on the 10th but at least I'll be able to watch the game on ESPN U. We need to pack the house both nights!

I completely blame myself and my luck when it comes to sports for the down years at BG in basketball AND football...BG B-Ball was decent my first year at BG and then my last two years (Dakich's last two years) were awful...same with the football team. Now that I am gone, you can all have your great programs back...this men's team is for real and can definitely do some damage in the MAC...they just need the confidence, which Coach Orr is giving them.