By: Brady Seitz ’29 special contributor
In the MAC conference, teams can display variety of basketball styles – from up-tempo to a more methodical, slow offense. However, on the defensive side, most can agree – a gritty defense is the cornerstone of any good team.
Demarcus Bandy has taken this to heart, as it has propelled him from a reserve to an everyday starter on the LVC’s men’s basketball team.
“He (Coach) started putting me on the other team’s best players when I checked in, and I was just doing my best to make it as difficult as possible for the guys I was guarding,” Brandy said. “I really felt I was having an impact on the game in the minutes I had, and the coaches felt that way too, and pushed me into the starting lineup.”
With this new role, the West Virginia native has soared to first in steals and fourth in blocks across the whole conference, despite only being in his first season of college basketball.
“It’s definitely different,” Bandy said. “You go from being the best player on your team in high school to having to really find your role out on the court at this level, and really do what you can to make the most of the minutes you’re given with hopes you can earn more.”
Bandy has surely done that, as he has also been a high-level offensive player in the process. He is fourth on the team in total points, with a season-high of 25 versus Wilson College.
Despite struggling as a team, the Dutchmen return a huge young core of players for seasons to follow, with the hopes of competing for a MAC championship in the near future.
Bandy and his Dutchmen teammates are on the road this Saturday against Delaware Valley. Tipoff is at 3 p.m.