Rams Look to "Get on It"
Men's Baskteball Team Head Into Regionals
Brittnay Vargas
Issue date: 3/1/08 Section: Sports
The Wright College Rams men's basketball team lost their last regular season game against Harper College, ending their two game winning momentum after an eight game losing streak. The Rams' record in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) men's basketball Division II of12-29, leaves them with the issue of a losing record and a scarce fan base.
The Rams attribute their less than stellar record to the problem with student attendance at the basketball games; the players feel that without the students their game isn't as good as it could be. "We need our fans to help us out on the court, when we play a game we feed off of their excitement, so if there is hardly a crowd then there is hardly any excitement," team member Andrew David said. Many Wright College students feel there is nothing drawing them to watch the games. "I just don't think the games are very interesting; it wasn't exciting, there was nothing to keep me going back," Wright student Hannah Keen said.
Some feel the problem is that many students don't know when the games are. "I used to want to go to some games but I never knew when or where they were," Wright student Mark Hamill said, "If I knew more about the games I would so be there, but that's not happening."
While the lack of focus and fan fare plays a role in their defeats, it isn't their only problem. "We have a big problem with listening," Forward Rashaad Smith said. Player Marvin Sain agreed, adding, "I feel like we can all do better than our best."
In addition to them not listening to the coaches, the loss of point guard Mahmoud Abdelfattah is also a contributing factor. Abdelfattah, the Rams' highest scorer who averages four rebounds a game, recently injured his leg during practice. "This injury won't affect my team," Abdelfattah said, "I know they will do the best they can no matter what." Smith, while encompassing all factors believes the team needs to, "focus and get on it."
This year has been rough for the Rams, but they plan on doing all they can to get better. "We play hard, play smart, and play together. I think that's what makes a team a team," Smith said. With their playoff game nearing, they attempt to make it to the 2008 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, held March 19-24 where they may have a shot at being the next national champions.
The Rams attribute their less than stellar record to the problem with student attendance at the basketball games; the players feel that without the students their game isn't as good as it could be. "We need our fans to help us out on the court, when we play a game we feed off of their excitement, so if there is hardly a crowd then there is hardly any excitement," team member Andrew David said. Many Wright College students feel there is nothing drawing them to watch the games. "I just don't think the games are very interesting; it wasn't exciting, there was nothing to keep me going back," Wright student Hannah Keen said.
Some feel the problem is that many students don't know when the games are. "I used to want to go to some games but I never knew when or where they were," Wright student Mark Hamill said, "If I knew more about the games I would so be there, but that's not happening."
While the lack of focus and fan fare plays a role in their defeats, it isn't their only problem. "We have a big problem with listening," Forward Rashaad Smith said. Player Marvin Sain agreed, adding, "I feel like we can all do better than our best."
In addition to them not listening to the coaches, the loss of point guard Mahmoud Abdelfattah is also a contributing factor. Abdelfattah, the Rams' highest scorer who averages four rebounds a game, recently injured his leg during practice. "This injury won't affect my team," Abdelfattah said, "I know they will do the best they can no matter what." Smith, while encompassing all factors believes the team needs to, "focus and get on it."
This year has been rough for the Rams, but they plan on doing all they can to get better. "We play hard, play smart, and play together. I think that's what makes a team a team," Smith said. With their playoff game nearing, they attempt to make it to the 2008 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, held March 19-24 where they may have a shot at being the next national champions.
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