NCDS: Larry DeSimpelare, Asst. Coach - Cleveland State ("Dog Days")

I have always considered the 25 days from the third week in January to the middle of February to be the “dog days” of college basketball.  In the middle of January is when most schools are back in session for the spring semester. 

The conference games are well under way.  No more holiday tournaments, warm weather, or exotic trips.  Practices are still long and hard.  When you live in the Northern Climate, the walk to the gym is long, hard and cold.  The practice jerseys are no longer “crisp” and probably don’t smell very good.  Neither does the guy you are going up against every day.  There is monotony to the games.  Each game is “THE” game, and as soon as you win that one, the “NEXT” game is “THE” game.   The end of the season is still 5-7 weeks away.   These are some of the toughest times, and the time that separates the contenders from the pretenders. 

However, once you hit Valentines day, you begin to see the light.  You can sense that March Madness is right around the corner.  Practices start to pick up as conference titles are on the line with each game.  The importance of every minute of practice is evident by not only the coaches, but the players, managers and staff.  There is more purpose to the same drill you were doing just a week ago.  You know what you are playing for and the intensity and purpose is more evident than ever.  In fact, it is the greatest time of the year and what you have prepared for.  If you don’t handle your business in the “dog days” of the season, you stand the chance of not realizing your teams full potential.  The end of those dog days is near….enjoy the ride! 

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