No one said it would be easy.
As we trudge through the toughest portion of our schedule – which includes six straight games on the road, three against top-25 teams and one against Division 1 William and Mary – we must stick to the basic goals that we carry to each practice and game.
Bring relentless defensive pressure on every possession. Play fast, think slow. Focus on the little things. Don’t beat yourself. Get better every day.
These simple mantras are posted and repeated throughout our gym and locker room each day. The crucial follow-up is making sure they’re reflected as consistently on the court.
In our most recent game, a 75-64 loss to SUNY New Paltz on Tuesday night, we couldn’t put together 40 minutes of focused, error-free basketball. We went on runs that showed we were clearly capable of winning. Our leading scorer, Caleb McGraw, was hounded all night but still managed a gutsy 20 points. Center Chris Whitney was steady in the paint all game, and freshman John Donnelly gobbled up 11 rebounds.
But it was our own lapses, not an insurmountable opponent, which caused our fourth straight loss. Just like in our previous two games against Hartwick and Brandeis, we took what was a manageable four or six-point deficit and let it slip to a double-digit deficit in the last few minutes of the first half. Instead of having to come back from four points down, it was 10.
We put the pressure on in the second half, cutting New Paltz’s lead down to four and threatening to take a lead of our own. But key fouls, and turnovers, and offensive rebounds allowed, prevented us from completing the comeback.
So it’s back to our own gym for practice, and that’s where we’ll be for the rest of this week, preparing for another national powerhouse when we play at Williams this Saturday. Another chance to do the little things right, another chance to improve, and another chance to get back in the win column.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Speed 78, Size 66
Speed versus size. A team with ten players listed at 6-4 or smaller versus a team with six players listed at 6-6 or larger. Despite doubts about our size, our schedule, and our youth in general, Vassar men’s basketball opened its 2009-2010 season with a statement.
Speed 78, Size 66. Or more to the point, Vassar 78, Endicott 66
There is plenty to work on, but it was a solid first effort against a big and tough Endicott team. Caleb McGraw, who was named the Liberty League Player of the Week, led us with a career high 37 points, and our up-tempo style produced much more than a one-man show, as nine different players scored. Our frenetic full court press caused 22 Endicott turnovers, but equally crucial was our ability to take care of the ball on the offensive end; we committed just six miscues.
Preparation for the season-opener against Endicott began months ago in the beginning of September, when pickup games and early-morning conditioning started. When our freshmen John Donnelly (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals), who earned Liberty League Rookie of the Week honors, and Jon Herzog (4 points, 4 rebounds, 0 turnovers in 23 minutes) were hardly moved into their dorm rooms, let alone starters and big contributors for our team.
Another team contributor was identified even before the opening tip. Our stands were almost full, scattered with Vassar students, parents, and, most impressively, hundreds of Poughkeepsie residents. It was the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a Vassar basketball game, and I hope it continues when we host the Vassar Tip-Off Tournament this coming weekend. We play Newbury College at 8:00 p.m. In the opening game at 6:00 p.m. Western Connecticut plays last year's national Division III finalist Richard Stockton.
As for me, my first game as player, not a Sports Information worker, was a fun one. I won’t soon forget the feeling of finding my brand new game jersey hanging in front of my locker before the game. I hardly played at all, but when I entered the game in the last minute, it really sunk in.
The new era of VC Basketball began with a high. Our goal is a culture of success fostered by new roles and personnel, a relentless style and work ethic, and reinvigorated fans. A three-point halftime lead pushed to a 12-point win was a good start.
But for me and for the team, it’s on to the next one. We’re already looking forward to Newbury. Hopefully, so are the hordes of people who watched us win our first game.
Speed 78, Size 66. Or more to the point, Vassar 78, Endicott 66
There is plenty to work on, but it was a solid first effort against a big and tough Endicott team. Caleb McGraw, who was named the Liberty League Player of the Week, led us with a career high 37 points, and our up-tempo style produced much more than a one-man show, as nine different players scored. Our frenetic full court press caused 22 Endicott turnovers, but equally crucial was our ability to take care of the ball on the offensive end; we committed just six miscues.
Preparation for the season-opener against Endicott began months ago in the beginning of September, when pickup games and early-morning conditioning started. When our freshmen John Donnelly (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals), who earned Liberty League Rookie of the Week honors, and Jon Herzog (4 points, 4 rebounds, 0 turnovers in 23 minutes) were hardly moved into their dorm rooms, let alone starters and big contributors for our team.
Another team contributor was identified even before the opening tip. Our stands were almost full, scattered with Vassar students, parents, and, most impressively, hundreds of Poughkeepsie residents. It was the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a Vassar basketball game, and I hope it continues when we host the Vassar Tip-Off Tournament this coming weekend. We play Newbury College at 8:00 p.m. In the opening game at 6:00 p.m. Western Connecticut plays last year's national Division III finalist Richard Stockton.
As for me, my first game as player, not a Sports Information worker, was a fun one. I won’t soon forget the feeling of finding my brand new game jersey hanging in front of my locker before the game. I hardly played at all, but when I entered the game in the last minute, it really sunk in.
The new era of VC Basketball began with a high. Our goal is a culture of success fostered by new roles and personnel, a relentless style and work ethic, and reinvigorated fans. A three-point halftime lead pushed to a 12-point win was a good start.
But for me and for the team, it’s on to the next one. We’re already looking forward to Newbury. Hopefully, so are the hordes of people who watched us win our first game.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
From Courtside to On Court: Back In Uniform Again
The last time I was on the basketball court with a real team was about thirty months ago. It was March 6th, 2007. My high school team, the Brattleboro Colonels of Vermont, lost in the Division 1 state semifinals to Burlington High School in UVM’s Patrick Gymnasium my senior year.
Now, three seasons, one presidential election, and several tuition bills later, I’ve decided to lace ‘em back up and play for the Vassar basketball team my junior year.
I survived the last two years without playing a sport by living vicariously through others with my job in the Sports Info office. My specialty in the winter months was basketball, for which I would write game stories and keep in-game statistics. I would satisfy my need to play by working out and playing intramurals.
Clearly, those things were not enough. This winter, I’ll be wearing a jersey instead of a button-down. I’ll make sure to show my face around the office (hence the blog), but I’ll have a different perspective come game time.
The season officially started last Thursday. We’ve already had seven practices, and are in the midst of a week of double-sessions as the rest of Vassar relaxes for fall break. My body is beginning to remember what it feels like to be a full-time athlete. It feels like sprained ankles, suicides, and bags of ice. It feels like mind and body fatigue melding together to the point where I’m actually thinking about what it would take to install a hot tub on my dorm floor. It feels like time commitment.
But I’m also starting to remember why I joined. Why I felt like I was selling myself a bit short the last two years playing pickup games against opponents wearing jean shorts. As grueling as continuous suicides on tired legs can be, there’s nothing like the feeling of saving your team from running by hitting a free throw to end a drill. Or netting a three-pointer to win an intersquad scrimmage. Or grabbing a rebound over a taller opponent.
These last two years have showed me that there is no way to replace being on a team. I can’t stand not competing. I am glad to be back. It’s been a while.
Now, three seasons, one presidential election, and several tuition bills later, I’ve decided to lace ‘em back up and play for the Vassar basketball team my junior year.
I survived the last two years without playing a sport by living vicariously through others with my job in the Sports Info office. My specialty in the winter months was basketball, for which I would write game stories and keep in-game statistics. I would satisfy my need to play by working out and playing intramurals.
Clearly, those things were not enough. This winter, I’ll be wearing a jersey instead of a button-down. I’ll make sure to show my face around the office (hence the blog), but I’ll have a different perspective come game time.
The season officially started last Thursday. We’ve already had seven practices, and are in the midst of a week of double-sessions as the rest of Vassar relaxes for fall break. My body is beginning to remember what it feels like to be a full-time athlete. It feels like sprained ankles, suicides, and bags of ice. It feels like mind and body fatigue melding together to the point where I’m actually thinking about what it would take to install a hot tub on my dorm floor. It feels like time commitment.
But I’m also starting to remember why I joined. Why I felt like I was selling myself a bit short the last two years playing pickup games against opponents wearing jean shorts. As grueling as continuous suicides on tired legs can be, there’s nothing like the feeling of saving your team from running by hitting a free throw to end a drill. Or netting a three-pointer to win an intersquad scrimmage. Or grabbing a rebound over a taller opponent.
These last two years have showed me that there is no way to replace being on a team. I can’t stand not competing. I am glad to be back. It’s been a while.
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