[BasketballAlum] BB notes

[gary holquist]

Bulldog Basketball Alumni and Friends:

The 'Dogs are currently 4 and 0.  We won two convincingly this past 
weekend at a tournament in Mankato, MN.  The first night we beat 
Dominican College, the second Felician College.  Both schools are DII 
institutions from the east coast.  Last night we struggled against 
neighboring Saint Scholastica College, but won 78-68.  We played 
uninspired.  I hope that it provided to be a lesson to the team that no 
matter whom you play, if as an athlete you do not get yourself ready to 
compete and play at a high level, you face the possibility of losing. 
Fortunately, we won.  After four games there are a few indicators 
statistically that the coaching staff feels is significantly positive. 
Our rebounding margin is at a plus 16, offensive field goal percentage 
is 52%, we get to the foul line almost 20 times a game-shooting 75%, 
and average 16 assists per game.  Though our defensive field goal 
percentage is at 41%, we need to make significant improvements on that 
end of the floor.  We still are allowing too many straight-line 
penetrations into the heart of our defense.  Another important aspect 
of the game we need to develop is our play off the bench.  We play six 
people too many minutes and really have only played eight players in 
the rotation.  The next four games we have are back-to-back 
Friday/Saturday contests.  The play of our bench needs to be developed 
and improved.  This will become important for our continued success 
into December.

Though we have won four in a row, the real test starts this weekend. 
We play two excellent teams in the UMD American Family Insurance 
Basketball Classic.  (American Family Insurance has been a corporate 
sponsor of this event since 1980.  Their continued involvement and 
support of UMD Basketball over the years have given all of us many 
unique opportunities to play great competition at home.  This 
tournament is nationally known and respected.  AFI has allowed UMD to 
bring nationally known programs to Duluth.  I am sure all of you that 
have been connected to the great organization of AFI   share in my 
sentiments.)  We open with Northern Michigan University on Friday and 
play Michigan Tech University on Saturday.  Minnesota State Mankato 
will flip-flop opponents with us.  Northern Michigan has a pre-season 
All American that is a senior.  He is Ricky Volcy, a 6-9 230lb senior 
power forward, from Montreal, that has a number of NBA teams checking 
him out.  He has been a tough out for us the past few years.  Though we 
beat MTU twice last year, they are a preseason favorite to compete for 
the GLIAC championship.  Regionalization has become an important issue 
in DII basketball and post-season play selection.  NMU and MTU are 
considered regional contests for UMD this season via the NCAA.  Both 
games will play an important role for post-season jockeying.  The games 
also will be solid indicators where we stand after six games.  Both 
teams will expose our weaknesses.  What we learn this weekend will help 
us retool going out to Colorado next weekend for another two tough 
intra-regional games against Rocky Mountain Conference opponents.  NCAA 
tournament post-season selection, of eight teams for the North Central 
Region, comes from the three conferences of the North Central, Northern 
Sun, and Rocky Mountain.  How we play head to head is a major part of 
the formula.  December games have become very important for UMD.

Have a good Thanksgiving; we all have much to be thankful for.  I know 
one thing I am thankful for-I have the privilege to be around great 
young people everyday of my life.  This team has been a pleasure to 
coach and educate.  I am also thankful for the relationships I have 
with all of you.  This is my 32nd year of being involved with college 
basketball.  What has been truly special are the relationships that 
have been established with fans, coaches, and players.  You all make 
the UMD program the best place in the country!  Thanks.



Gary W. Holquist
University of Minnesota Duluth
Head Men's Basketball Coach
218-726-6185