This year our TEAM believed in competing against higher level opponents during preseason play. WE had exhibition or scrimmage contests versus NCAA DII (Minot State University), NAIA (Dickinson State University), NJCAA DI (BSC and Dawson CC), and a 5-year Canadian institution(Brandon University). The goal was to learn more about our TEAM as far as weaknesses and strengths are concerned prior to beginning the regular season. All in all it seemed to be a fairly successful start as the Lumberjacks played well together at times, but also were given an opportunity to learn from mistakes. WE have only one returning player from last season which means 14 new faces will be asked to execute new roles within a new program.
The regular season kicks off this Friday, November 1st at "The Woodshed" against Canadian Mennonite University with tip set for 8pm. Even though it is the first game our TEAM has begun to build an identity based on playing extremely intense on both ends, sharing the basketball through trust, attempting to play fast at any given opportunity, and the TEAM seems to having fun during the process. Last year the coaching staff was limited in resources due to the bench not having much depth. This coming season we anticipate playing a variety of different lineups to maximize players strength, or opponent weaknesses. One key element is the fact our strongest players do not have to deliver extraordinary performances night in and night out to be successful, because several new additions have the ability to help win games when specific players seem to be struggling.
Transition Offense/Defense, Rebounding, and Assist-Turnover ratio are three primary basketball related statistics of concern for our TEAM this season. The game will be played up-tempo meaning WE need to get easy baskets offensively while forcing the opponent to play a half-court style in simple terms. All coaches emphasize rebounding but as a smaller TEAM every player must take responsibility over the battle on the boards if WE want to stand a chance against stronger teams. Finally this group must trust the pass as WE strive to make the right play (singles) vs. the hard play (home runs). Much of our emphasis is to play more like Peyton Manning and less like Brett Favre.
Communication, Uncommon Work Ethic, and Child-Like Enthusiasm to get better each day over a long year will be three areas associated with our attitude, and preparation which can not be charted through statistical analysis. Our guys enjoy the game of basketball and we should be so thankful to be allowed to play at the college level. This season will go by extremely fast and we only have so much time together as a group before sophomore's move on, new freshman are on campus, and we begin the process all over.
Let's all embrace the 2013-2014 basketball season!
Embrace the Success
Embrace the Adversity
Embrace the Experience
See everybody Friday night at 8pm.
Get Jacked UP,
Cory Fehringer
