BIG RAPIDS - In many ways, the first few weeks of Ferris State University's preseason men's basketball practice has been and will be nearly as much mental as physical.
Head coach Bill Sall is pushing this team very hard in the early days of the preseason and the players understand the expectations are high - VERY HIGH - for this team.
A big emphasis for Sall, in the weeks to come, is establishing the identity of this team as it seeks to climb back into the upper echelon of a conference that includes defending NCAA Division II champion Findlay and a perennial national power in Grand Valley State. Thanks to a great off-season period, during which members of the team got in a lot of work during the summer, Ferris is hopeful it can establish the identity and mindset of a contender for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.
"I think our biggest issue right now is to really set what our identity is," said Sall, who is legendary for emphasizing toughness on defense and on the boards. "We want to be able to play with a little more toughness and a little more grit and have the ability to put a lot of pieces together that we have this year with the players coming back and the players we've added. We have a lot of good pieces to the puzzle."
Few people on this team want to hear about being young anymore.
The feeling amongst players and coaches is that it's time to cash in on potential.
"These first three weeks that is a continuing progress," said the Ferris head coach who returns a solid group of players led by 6-foot-6 center Justin Keenan, who is garnering preseason All-American recognition.
Leaders like Keenan, Dontae Molden, Austin Randel, Josh Young, Darien Gay and others will be among the ones who need to lead the way for this squad.
I hope the team finds a balance between playing tough and determined, and playing loose and confident. The tools are all there, and I have seen these guys play lights out (particularly on offense) when the bright lights are not on. My hope is that the "lights out" team is the one that emerges from Coach Sall's efforts. If they do, a team with a confident offense and tough-minded defense and experience, wow, I think the Bulldogs will be one of the teams to watch this year in the GLIAC! Go DAWGS!
ReplyDeletecan you believe a girl is reading about sports. lol :) i can't help it i love it!
ReplyDeletemandie reed
I agree. I think this team can be one of the teams to watch and can contend for the GLIAC North Division championship and more if it can stay healthy, bring it every night with intensity and show that it has gained experience. I am excited about this upcoming season for the men's basketball team.
ReplyDeleteMandie,
ReplyDeleteYou better be coming back. We love our fans. I am trying to get people fired up about leaving comments on here to create some dialogue. I maybe need to work a little harder at promoting it.