From the 1/11/05 Bland. I lespecially enjoy how Dakich and Reimold speak of some former players.
Dakich sees harder times
Falcons' 9-2 early record just turns BG into a big bull's-eye
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
BOWLING GREEN - Please pardon Bowling Green State University basketball coach Dan Dakich for not getting too excited about his team's success so far this season.
The Falcons (9-2) join defending Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan as the only undefeated teams in league play at 3-0. The Broncos and Kent State each have 10 wins to make them the lone MAC teams with more wins overall than losses.
That's a far cry from the dire pre-season predictions that had the Falcons finishing fifth in the MAC's seven-team West Division.
But Dakich is looking ahead, not backwards. And there is plenty of season still to play.
"When you look back [on the season] at the end of February, it's hard to remember where you were on Jan. 10 because it's such a long season," he said. "We have to make certain we continue to improve."
While not impossible, it certain won't be easy for BG to improve on its play thus far.
On offense Bowling Green is shooting 51.6 percent from the floor, tops in the MAC and fourth nationally. That's a major reason the Falcons average 73.7 points per game, fourth-best in the league.
"This team understands shot selection," Dakich said. "There have been very few times I've had to yell at somebody about a poor shot. I think shot selection has led to us shooting a good percentage."
The Falcon defense also has improved over last year, allowing just 65.7 points per game. That mark is more than seven points better than last season.
BG has forced more than 16 turnovers per game, and its opponents have shot just 42.8 percent from the floor. The Falcons rank in the top half of the MAC in both categories.
"I think our determination on the defensive end has been pretty good," Dakich said. "Even in the Buffalo game, when they scored 80-some points, we still had a real determination to guard."
But the best explanation for the Falcons' success this far foc-
uses on areas that don't show up in the team's stats. Senior John Reimold said the process of improving on last year's 14-17 season began last summer.
"I don't want to say we weeded people out, but this summer we found out who was willing to do the tough things, such as diving on the floor for a loose ball or blocking out a guy who weighs 100 pounds more than you," Reimold said.
Dakich said this year's team has done all of the work needed to prepare a team for games, including little things like watching film, preparing for practices and focusing in walk-throughs.
"I think our seniors have provided an environment where those things are important," Dakich said.
And when the Falcons take the floor, Reimold said this year's club plays with the selflessness necessary for success.
"When we're out on the floor, there's no ulterior motives out there. Nobody's playing for themselves," he said. "You feel more comfortable with your teammates, because you know where they're going to be. There going to be where they're supposed to be."
Dakich said his Falcons aren't perfect; he said one area in particular where the team can improve is in its execution late in games.
"We stopped running our offense, and we didn't execute in the last three to five minutes." Dakich said about his team's win over Northern Illinois Sunday. "Most MAC games come down to those two to five minutes at the end of games where you have to execute."
What's more, Dakich said the early-season accomplishments from this year will make it tougher on the Falcons through the remaining 16 games of the regular season.
"With whatever minimal success we've had comes attention," Dakich said. "Kids know which teams are struggling and which teams are playing pretty good. We've gotten off to a good start, and all that means is other teams will play harder against us."
BG article from The Bland
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Anonymous
Why dont they just come out and say who they are talking about. We all know who they mean. And speaking of one of the transfers, wouldnt it be ironic for BG to make the NCAA this year, and the little cry baby who transfered to OSU, not even make the NCAA because of the self-imposed sanctions. Now that is ironic
