[BasketballAlum] 2 for February!

[gary holquist]

Bulldog Basketball Alumni and Friends:

In our communication last week, I indicated that we needed the same 
level of second half defensive execution, decided rebounding margin, 
and improvement on our shooting percentage that we displayed against 
the University of South Dakota if we were going to beat #4 ranked 
Minnesota State University Mankato-this all came to fruition last 
Thursday as we beat MSUM 75-63.  MSUM had an 18 game winning streak, 
along with their national ranking and 20-1 record.  Keys to the win 
were Ryan Meissner  (6-6, 190 lbs, Jr. Osseo High School) defensive 
performance on Luke Anderson (pre-season national player of the year). 
He held Anderson to 4 of 15 shooting.  We out rebounded MSUM 36 to 25 
as we continue to have double-digit rebounding margins over opponents. 
As in previous games we executed well offensively, the main difference 
being we made shots this game!  We had extended leads of 16 at times 
thru the game with four players in double figure scoring.  Bryan Foss 
(6-7, 210 lbs, Sr. Osseo High School) lead us in scoring with 21 and 
had 12 rebounds.  He has multiple double-doubles this season. 
Currently he is third in scoring average and first in rebounding 
average in the North Central Conference.

On Saturday, we beat Augustana College 63-59, who entered the game 16-6 
and had votes in the regional rankings.  Once again, our defensive 
effort and rebounding margin (37 to 25, which included 18 offensive 
boards) allowed the victory.  Though we only shot 39% from the field, 
our relentlessness on the offensive glass kept giving us opportunities. 
Two tremendous performances off the bench helped us get the win. 
Jordan "Spud" Schade (5-8, 160 lbs, Fr. Oshkosh North High School-WI) 
had 13 points including two free throws with 4 seconds left to seal the 
victory.  He hit three huge threes, two back to back, to help us erase 
a deficit and regain the lead.  His confidence level is improving and 
he will be integral for us down the stretch run.  Matt Hockett (6-5, 
225 lbs. Sr. McFarland-WI) brought us tremendous energy and made 
numerous hustle plays that elevated the teams play.  We truly ground 
thru this game and it was an excellent hard earned victory.  Ryan 
Bredenbach (6-1, 190 lbs. Sr. Oregon-WI) had the play of the game after 
AC tied the contest with 21 seconds remaining.  We ran a high ball 
screen at the top of the key with Jordan Nuness (6-3, 210 lbs. Jr.-Eden 
Prairie-MN) in the corner, Bach came off the screen with a lane to the 
basket because they would not leave Nuness and he laid it in with 10 
seconds to go.  We made a good defensive stop on the next trip and 
Schade sealed the win with the free throws.  Foss once again lead us in 
scoring with 22 and rebounding with 9.  He was selected NCC "Player of 
the Week" because of his two great efforts against MSUM and AC.  It was 
a team win, contributions were made by many.  John Vaudreuil (6-8, 260 
lbs. Jr. Bloomington-MN) scored the games first field goal and never 
scored again.  However, his defensive effort on the lane players from 
AC was outstanding as was his rebounding work.  Jordan Nuness was only 
5 for 17 from the floor but also gave us solid defensive play and 6 
rebounds.  When you look at two good scorers like Nunness and Vaudreuil 
being limited, you can tell we are doing the facets of the game 
correctly that allow you to win-namely rebounding, defending, and 
taking care of the ball.  We executed well, but just did not make 
shots.  Performing at a high level the more important elements of the 
game gave us the win.

Having 35 former Bulldog players at the game made the win extremely 
special.  The alumni game and events afterwards were enjoyable.  It was 
great to see and communicate with so many from such a wide range of 
years-1940s thru 2006.  When I communicate with other collegiate 
basketball coaches, I often hear how uninvolved their alumni are with 
the program.  At UMD, we are honored to have your constant support and 
presence with our basketball program.  Current players have so much 
respect for what has been done for them through the ground work you all 
laid at UMD.  The program has stood the test of time and it is because 
of the great traditions that the UMD Basketball Alumni have maintained. 
Thanks!

On to Grand Forks, ND and the University of North Dakota this Saturday. 
We continue to practice hard, but the added element of confidence has 
emerged.  The staff and team have embraced this characteristic that was 
fleeting last month.  We will hold on tight this time!  Improved play 
in February allows teams to have extended runs in March.  We want to 
just keep getting better.

Go Bulldogs!


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