Dakich has increased role as former team looms
MADISON, Wis. — Five years in the Big Ten as a player will qualify anyone as a veritable league historian. So before he could look ahead to a reunion against his former team, Ohio State graduate transfer guard Andrew Dakich was still somewhat in disbelief over what had just happened.
As a reserve, Dakich contributed two points, two steals and one assist in 14 minutes as the Buckeyes handed Wisconsin its worstever defeat inside the Kohl Center, 83-58, on Saturday evening. In not even 48 hours, Ohio State would be hosting Dakich’s former team, Michigan.
Standing against a long, white wall adorned with photos of performance artists who have played in the Kohl Center over the years, Dakich was still abuzz over beating the Badgers.
“Right now, nothing,” he said when asked about his emotions in playing the Wolverines. “I’m excited just because of this game. I saw (Michigan) play against Indiana today and they came out swinging like us, and won by 14 over a tough Indiana team. We’ve got to turn around right away and get after it.”
The game against Michigan will be Ohio State’s sixth in 12 days, all against top-100 competition. This one stuck out in particular for the Dakich family, though, as soon as he made the decision to become the first basketball player to transfer from one rival to the other.
So far this season, he already has scored more points for the Buckeyes (25) than he did in three seasons with the Wolverines (20). As a senior, Dakich redshirted at Michigan. Eight games into the year, he had set a new career high for minutes played and has logged an average of 14.3 minutes per game while helping provide depth at the point guard position.
He also isn’t afraid to voice his opinion, but Holtmann said Dakich won’t provide the bulk of the scouting report on the Wolverines.
“Even though Andrew did not play a lot in his time there … he was still a really important part of their team and their culture and how they do things,” Holtmann said. “Obviously for us, his role has dramatically increased and he has an impact on us. I’m sure he’ll have some interesting feelings he’ll go through.”
This game admittedly will be personal, he said, “Just because I know everything. I know all those guys. I was with them this summer a little bit. I was in that offense for four years and I know they’re going to be preparing like crazy, watching a lot of film on us and try to execute their game plan just like we are. I’ll probably say what’s up or give them a hug and whatnot, but once the game goes it’s just competitors going at it.”
At plus- 109, Keita Bates- Diop has the best individual plus- minus rating on the Ohio State roster. … This is Ohio State’s sixth straight game against a top- 100 team, according to KenPom. com. The average ranking of those six teams is 48.8. … Michigan is No. 33 nationally in adjusted offensive effi ciency, according to KenPom. G Eli Brooks, 6- 0, Fr., 3.7 G Muhammad-Ali Abdur- Rahkman, 6- 4, Sr., 9.7 G Charles Matthews, 6- 6, Jr., 15.2 G/ F Duncan Robinson, 6- 8, Sr., 11.1 F Moritz Wagner, 6- 11, Jr., 15.6
G Poole, 6- 4, Fr., 6.6; G Simpson, 6- 0, So., 2.6; C Teske, 7- 1, So., 4.2; F Livers, 6- 7, Fr., 3.6; G/ F Watson, 6- 5, So., 3.0