BLOG 27: Non-conference losses hurt, but Ferris still has a lot to play for

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University basketball player Jason Holder (left) goes up for an alley-oop dunk during the Bulldogs’ home game in Jim Wink Arena against Kuyper College (Jan. 5) (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University’s men’s basketball team has experienced its share of tough non-conference losses this season.

The good news is that the Bulldogs remain in a solid position to accomplish some rather significant goals as they resume Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition on Thursday with a trip to Sault Ste. Marie to take on Lake Superior State University in Cooper Gymnasium. Saturday, the Bulldogs are in University Center for another GLIAC game, against Saginaw Valley State University.

Ferris has to get its aggressive mindset back – the mentality that allowed the Bulldogs to sweep a pair of road games in Ohio against Ashland and Tiffin earlier this season. Those road warriors need to return and need to transfer that tough-minded mentality on the road into a winning attitude at home as well as on the road.

Saturday’s painful home 86-80 loss to Grace Bible can prove to be a lesson for the Bulldogs to take into the balance of their schedule – a slate that includes some strong competition. In this case, that 22-game GLIAC schedule is a blessing. More league contests mean more opportunities for Ferris to reestablish itself.

The Bulldogs have competed against a pretty solid non-conference schedule that has included regional Division II rivals such as national power Northern Kentucky and a pretty good team, regional rival St. Joseph’s College.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com