Introducing the 2005 Roadrunners
by Matt Gunn
gunnma@mscd.edu
A new look for 'Runners men
Although there are many new faces on the Roadrunners men's basketball team this season, it's business as usual for head coach Mike Dunlap.
Metro graduated four of last year's starting five. Dunlap said he sees the new lineup as an opportunity.
Photo by Matthew Jonas jonasm@mscd.edu
Metro head coach Mike Dunlap stops practice to explain a play at the men's basketball practice Nov. 15. The Roadrunners will host St. Gregory's University (Shawnee, Okla.) at the Auraria Event Center during the Comfort Inn Downtown Denver Classic season opener at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Metro's second game is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 against Westmont College (Santa Barbara, Calif.).
"There's competition among the group, which is always healthy," Dunlap said. "I think what's exhilarating for the guys who are new is that the opportunity is in front of them, and for the other guys that are older-it's their team now."
Four upperclassmen have NCAA postseason experience with the Roadrunners. Seniors Greg Muth, Dustin Ballard and Drew Williamson, along with junior Michael Bahl, are anchors on a team that features a number of underclassmen and transfer students.
The new Roadrunners came to Metro from places as near as Westminster and as distant as Mali.
With so many newcomers, Dunlap said he doesn't entirely know what to expect. His plan is to be patient with the team, and to learn each player's strengths and weaknesses as the season progresses.
"We just have to be open-minded and also not try to shape the team according to what we want," Dunlap said. "We've got to coach according to what we see."
A key to the team's success is building good chemistry. If the Roadrunners are playing together as a group, winning will eventually follow.
"We don't have to do anything other than try to get better each day, and I think we've done a good job of doing just that," Dunlap said.
The Roadrunners are prepared to prove themselves on the court. Basketball season begins with the Comfort Inn Downtown Denver Classic at the Auraria Event Center. Metro plays St. Gregory's University at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, before facing Westmont College at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19.
"I think that it's an exciting time for everybody, and enthusiasm abounds as far as the coming season," Dunlap said. "Every year is a tiny bit different and we welcome that with open arms."