In a LetsGoDU interview earlier this week, DU men’s basketball head coach Tim Bergstraser discussed the Summit League Basketball Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  While the program’s future lies to the West and the West Coast Conference next season, Bergstraser has his attention firmly directed north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and his team’s tournament prospects.

LetsGoDU: With a season record of 15-16, 8-8, what have you learned about your team and yourself?

“I didn’t know (exactly) what to expect”, said Bergstraser.” I knew we had enough to compete. It was putting those pieces together and figuring out consistency. We had our ups and downs and lost those close games (early).  Once we figured out our rotation, who would start and who would come off the bench, it helped me out as a coach. We have a good group of human beings that compete, care about each other and play hard. We’ve had to help them – it hasn’t been perfect. We need to pull people in the same direction – and show what we’re trying to accomplish as a program. I’ve had the luxury in the past of bringing in 2-3 transfers, the (returning) guys knew how we did things, at practices and games. New players learned from the other players how we operate. It was different coming in here. Even though I brought in some former players, there are a lot of guys who have never played together. At this level in basketball today, you may have to bring in 7-9 players a season, unfortunately. A lot of coaches can find talent but it’s important how you put it together, play hard, compete and do the little things on both sides of the ball. That was very new for me but fun. I think I have done a good job – keeping the faith within the team when we lost close games We’ve got a good product on the floor, and they play well on the road – despite the most recent road loss. We’re a good basketball team heading into tournament time. 

A year ago to the day, you were in the middle of a 3-game tournament run in 3 days at the NSIC tournament with Minnesota-Moorhead. You won all three games and went to the NCAA Tournament. What did you learn that you can take to Sioux Falls, S.D.? 

I try not to change too much. We try to keep everything the same at practice. Whoever loses (in the tournament), their season is done. We won’t deviate or recreate the wheel. We weren’t happy about our last game (regular season loss). We talked about it and we watched film this week. Practice today was the same – we try to stay the course. We pick moments and pockets (in practice) and work on the little things that go into winning. It’s not always about putting the ball in the net. I’ve been a part of some really good teams – climbed a ladder and cut a net. The theme with all those teams is that they do it together, they play tougher, they play harder, and make fewer mistakes than their opponents. Obviously, (winning tournament teams) have players that know how to score; they take care of the ball; they rebound at a high level; and, defend at a high level. There are a lot of small pieces and small margins that go into winning tournament games. You have to treat it like another basketball game. You could be one and done, but you have to treat it the same (as the regular season). 

You have played each Summit League team twice this season. In tournament play, do you play to your team’s strengths or do you play more match-up basketball?

Many coaches talk about ‘best match-up’. I think that is important, but we stick to our guns. Yes, there are going to be some minor adjustments we may have to make but we understand who we are – it has worked for us. When you try to reinvent the wheel or introduce a new system heading into a game, guys heads are spinning, they are overthinking, and they’re not being who they are. Every team has its own style and system, and that is what we are going to play – the style that is best for our program. 

Your team had four double-digit scorers, led by Summit League Player of the Year Carson Johnson. Why was his transition to DI so seamless?

I’m not surprised. I had an unbelievable confidence that he would be doing what he is doing now. When I was trying to get the DU job, I knew if Carson was to come, he could contend to be a Player of the Year candidate. It’s based on who he is as a person – his work ethic and ‘compete level’. He has earned the recognition (that he has gotten). He is a rare student-athlete. You don’t find many guys like him. He produces on the court and produces at a high-level,. He has grown as a leader. He wants to win. He has developed the strength and toughness needed (to compete) at the DI level. It is hard to find players like him these days. We have to coach him hard because he wants to find ways to improve. He can be a high-scoring point guard as well as a facilitator. That is a hard balance. If he draws attention, he has good players around him that he trusts (Jeremiah Burke, Zane Nelson, and Logan Kinsey). He changed into a more vocal leader for us (this season). It’s been fun to watch.

DU split games against North Dakota – won in Grand Forks & lost in Denver. What was the difference in those two games? 

Here at home (Hamilton Gym), we had too many turnovers (13). They have a unique defensive system – very chaotic. A lot of doubling and trapping. We got sped up and did not handle their runs well. We had a couple of leads that we gave up. Schematically, on the defensive end, it did not go well. We need to tighten up our play. They (UND) play so stinkin’ hard. They play together and physical. At their place, where we won, we turned the ball over 8 times and hit shots (57%). The ball was pinging around and we got great looks. Our guys executed the game plan on both sides of the ball. Our defense was not that good (even though DU won) and North Dakota missed a number of open looks. 

While defense has been challenging this season, Gabe Oldham has really stepped up in the paint with 7.3 rebounds per game. How important is he to success in Sioux Falls?

We’re going to need him. He doesn’t care if he scores any points. He wants to gobble up as many rebounds as he can. It’s was hard to find a good ‘big ‘when I got the job (late). We talked to some people, brought him in and found out how good he was – on and off the court. He is good in the classroom. He has a junkyard dog mentality. He is an unbelievable vocal leader for our team. In certain games, he’d score 10 points on garbage buckets and in another game, maybe two points. Rebounding is hard and he’s undersized. When you battle (in traffic), sometimes rebounds don’t always fall your way. If it (the ball) comes near his area, he can turn it into a 50/50 ball. He works so hard. He doesn’t get enough praise.

We’ve argued in LetsGoDU articles that the key to Denver success is holding opponents below 80 points gives DU the best chance to win. Is that too simplistic?

Well, statistically, it seems to be true this season. You just never know in basketball. I want to hold opponents to 70 or even 60 in a perfect world. I think if you keep people under 80 it gives you a chance, especially the way we can score. We believe we’re good at offense so we pushed our guys to get a little bit better on defense. I’m big on the field goal percentage. That is probably the first thing I look at when I grab the stat sheet. If you’re keeping the other team at 43% or below, that is good. That’s when my soul has been crushed when I look at our field goal percentage after a game and it’s not where I want it to be. I don’t get too caught up in points. You have to win in the margins – defending, rebounding, taking care of the ball. Make fewer mistakes than your opponent. 

Graduate student Josh Lee has been getting more playing time. What do you like about his game, especially in a tournament environment?

He’s been there, and he is familiar with the Sioux Falls tournament. You want that familiarity. He has had his ups and downs early and didn’t have a clear role. He kept showing up and fighting at practice. He never got too high or too low. I kept telling him his opportunity would come but, when it does, he needs to take advantage of it. When it did come, late in the season, he’s taken hold of it. He’s the ‘X’ factor that we have been looking for. We need more depth. He is going to go in there and fight. He’s making winning plays for our team – I’ve always had guys like that on my past teams – defend, rebound and do the dirty stuff that we need to win.

DU has never made the NCAA Tournament. What would it mean to you if this were to happen in your first season at DU?

I think about it a lot. I want it to happen, but I know how hard it is. Eight other teams in the Summit League want it too. Things have to go our way  -we have to play well and be disciplined. In basketball, you can play a perfect game and still lose. I’ve prayed on making the Tournament and envisioned it – whether it happens this year or in the future. I take pride and ownership in trying to get our program to that point. I envision it for this University and the people who want this to happen –  and for the City of Denver. It would be so big for our area. It can change a university and a city. My vision includes an NCAA Tournament bid for our program. I want that to happen.

Bergstraser’s thoughts shifted quickly from his high level ‘vision’ to the concrete task ahead, “It is a one-game mentality (in the Summit League Tournament) and everyone in that locker room knows what we want to do. We need to have a good practice today and the following day. I think we did a good job of that today (at practice) – get focused on the right things that lead to the right things happening. People get too far in front of themselves. Get back to work and focus on today.”

In quarterfinal action, DU faces the University of North Dakota on Friday, March 6th at 7:30 pm MT.