Beyond the Playbook: Unblemished UMD men’s basketball talks off court keys to success

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s basketball team is off to an historic run. Shattering the programs previous best start to the season at 7-0, now having won 11 straight games. All do in part to a bond off the court.

"We hangout with each other almost every day, every weekend. It’s like our team chemistry couldn’t be really better than it is right now," said sophomore guard Joshua Brown.

Chemistry, confidence, swagger all of those key elements have led the Bulldogs to be one of 12 teams left undefeated in Division 2, with the best record of 11-0. Which has sophomore forward Charlie Katona pumped up.

"It’s amazing,I love it and it really is a testament to how hard we have been working in the off season and even during the season. It really is coming out to show now in the games on how much work we have put in," added Katona.

The Bulldogs have also been getting it done on both ends of the floor. They are ranked first in offense in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), and second-best defense this season. For head coach Justin Wieck however, it may be superstitions that help the team win.

"I got some new dress clothes about a week into the season, and we haven’t loss yet. So I’m wearing the same pants and shirt every single game. I’m going to keep that rolling for a while hopefully," coach added.

Rituals aside every match for the team, is all business.

"Just try to do the same thing every day, keep our team and our guys in the same mindset of just trying to focus on the next game," coach Wieck ended with.

UMD is back in action Wednesday tipping off an exhibition match the Division I University of Nevada.