BLOG 28: Ferris must reestablish home-court edge

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University basketball player Verdell Billingsley (33) goes up for a shot during the Bulldogs’ home game in Jim Wink Arena against Kuyper College (Jan. 5) (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – From the 2003-04 season through the 2005-06 campaign, the Ferris State University men’s basketball program owned a record of 31-5 within the friendly confines of the new Jim Wink Arena.

That hardwood dominance made opponents question their ability to win on a trip to Big Rapids to face the Bulldogs in Wink – a place that can rock when Ferris is playing well and fans are jacked up. During the 2006-07 season, the Bulldogs finished 6-6 at home and one season later was 7-7.

This season, the Bulldogs are 2-4 at home with a wins over Olivet and Kuyper (115-60 on Monday) and losses to St. Joseph’s, Hillsdale, Findlay and Grace Bible. After Monday’s final non-conference game, the Bulldogs have nothing but Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contests to play in the home portion of their schedule (and the road part, too). That is the time for the Bulldogs to reestablish a home-court edge against the opposition.

Home-court dominance has another added benefit – beyond wins. Winning, particularly at home, brings the fans back to games and gives the Bulldogs an edge.

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