Bowling Green State University Athletics
Dan Dakich Press Conference
January 02, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2006
Dan Dakich Press Conference Quotes
January 2, 2006
"I think we are a team that has a long way to go. It's a team that is constantly trying really hard, constantly trying to improve. But I think it's a team that has a long way to become the kind of team that is difficult to play against. I don't think there is any doubt that from a couple of weeks ago to now that we're far better off. A lot of that is because we have had guys come back. I really like the approach of our team. I really like how hard they have worked over Christmas."
On starting the MAC season
"I think every game is important and in this game you always want to win at home obviously. What we have tried to tell the team is that wins and losses will take care of themselves if we play the way we are capable of playing. Over the course of 18 games that it evens out. You have to play well and continue to get better."
"Martin's (Samarco) been great other than one day when he missed the bus. Every day in practice he's been a really hard working guy. Every thing we do, he goes really hard, and when you do that you're going to be good. He is a very good example for other guys on the practice floor.
"Having Steven (Wright) in these games has made us a better defensive team. One of the biggest things about having Steve is it levels out our practices. It makes practice more competitive because you have more guys and it deepens your team. He is in the position where if does what he should do as a fourth-year guy, he becomes exceptionally important in every area, conversion, handling the ball, rebounding, knowing what to do on defense. But I don't think he is where he needs to be quite yet. Ten weeks off is long time in basketball."
"From the first time we put him (Wright) in a drill, he was completely different than the other guys, which again he should be because he's been here. The thing that's been exciting for me is there has been no hesitation in his play at all. He got mad the other day because we held him out of a drill, and he wanted to practice and play, which is great. And really that is how this team has been. Moten won't go see the trainer because he thinks every time someone goes and sees the trainer they are going to be out for five weeks. Steven has not been tentative at all, he was been very good at coming straight back."
"I think guys are excited about it (beginning of MAC play). This is an interesting group, I don't see anyone mad that they don't play, I don't see anyone mad that they don't get enough shots, everybody seems to just be trying. They have been excited to play and practice as of late, and that's great."
On the balance across the nation
"I think that teams all across the country can play each other and I think what you will see is a team from out league or the Missouri Valley or someone like that will get to the Final Four in the next few years. I just think that there are so many good players. All these kids have played against all the great players during the summer in AAU, so no one is intimidated of anyone else."
What has worked the last two games?
"I think we have been patient for the most part on offense and we've played defense. In the Troy game, we really played defense. Troy just won the Duquesne Tournament last week. We played defense very well in both those games. I like the way our team is competing on the defensive end."
How about Central Michigan?
Central is a team that has played everybody down the stretch. In their Southern Illinois game, it's a two-point game with three minutes to go, at Dayton it's a two-point game with six minutes left. They play everyone tough and it's the same thing they did last before they came in here and beat us. Central is a team that is always as difficult to play as any team that we face. They have two very athletic kids on the wing, Spencer and Barrett, that are difficult matches for us. They have a guard Watson, that I believe had his career-high 23 points against us. Its going to be a hard-fought basketball game."
Did your bring out the tape from last year?
"I did this morning, not from the standpoint of what it cost us (a share of the MAC West title), but from the standpoint of how we played."
On cutting down the number of fouls and turnovers
"Our guys are little more comfortable playing with each other. They know where each one is going to be on the court and that has lowered the turnovers. I think in terms of the fouling, we have matured as well. We still have a serious issue with both and are not out of the woods."
