A Quiet Week in Leede Arena

Hi All

Just a quick update on the goings on, or lack thereof, for the team this week! Actually, the players have been plenty busy, but basketball has taken a bit of a backseat to academics this week. It's finals week for the fall term at Dartmouth - not fun for the students but a little break for the staff.

The team had both Monday and Tuesday off to rest their bodies after a grueling start to the season and a long trip home from Cincinnati. I think some folks hit the gym to get some shots up on Tuesday, but overall, a good chance to rest. Classes ended on Wednesday afternoon with a two-day reading period to follow. The coaches held practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday but the team was off on Saturday and Sunday to take their finals and finish up papers. I'm always impressed by how the players work ahead and take care of their academic business in a timely manner.

Things will be back to normal for the on-court schedule soon and we hit the road on Friday for a long trip to Stony Brook (play on Dec. 11) then upstate to Syracuse for a game on Sunday (Dec. 13) evening. Then it's off to California on Dec. 16!

The coming weeks are my favorite time of the season and I know the players enjoy it too. The break between games allows the coaching staff to focus on our offense in practice and the ensuing break from school lets the players focus only on basketball and each other. We also always take some good road trips at this time of year and everyone is so much more relaxed and able to have fun.

- Dara