University of Massachusets Athletics
Marnie Dacko Previews Upcoming A-10 Season
January 05, 2007 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2007
Q: Congratulations on your great start! What are your thoughts on your season?
A: Thank you. I'm just really pleased with the kids and the turnaround. Team chemistry is good and they're in a situation in which they really believe in themselves.
Q: You mentioned team chemistry, I guess that's something that comes with time and you've got a more veteran team than you've had. Is that a good assessment? Has being together for awhile helped that team chemistry?
A: Well I think Kim Benton makes a huge difference in what we're trying to do. Although she's only a freshman, she comes in with a certain sort of spunk and attitude and has really bought into the system and her leadership on the floor and her being the one to rally the troops; she's done an incredible job.
Q: You just mentioned a freshman. Sometimes it's a bit of an adventure when you're talking about a freshman coming in and bringing leadership to a team that's been pretty veteran. Do you have any issues you have to work out early or when your handing the reins to a younger player.
A: Well we had everything in place for her to come in, you know with Kate Mills as a junior, Tamara Tatham is our only senior, Pam Rosanio is a junior and Alisha Tatham is a junior. So she's coming into a team that is pretty seasoned and has been around the block, if you will. You know, these guys just needing some direction, they have bought into her game. She comes in with an edge about her and that's what we need. She also gives them a great deal of confidence. She's a tough kid from Philly; I don't have to tell you what they're like. And again, with Pam, Kate, Tamara, and Alisha she fits in really well.
Q: Marnie, what about the older people? You talked about your freshman, what about the older ones? How have they accepted her? And how have they benefited with putting her in control?
A: You know, she makes the offense go and she understands what we're trying to do. We want to run, we need to rebound. She needs a lot of work defensively and with boxing out but when the ball's in her hands the kids trust her. She comes in a does a good job, and then we have Sakera Young who comes in and gives us a little more quickness. We basically go as Tamara Tatham goes as far as the defense and pressure and what she can do to teams and how she can be just explosive on the boards and get out in transition. You know, the kids like her and we've been successful with her at the top.
Q: Did you expect her to have the impact that she's had as quickly as she's had?
A: I did. I just think that that's what we were missing. We were missing a point guard with a bubbly personally that could lighten up when things were a little lighter and also be tough on them and I think that has really been the key. And again, we're moving the ball much better. We're making good decisions. Our assists-to-baskets ratio is very strong. And we're able to get open shots on passes.
Q: Before we let you go, how does this success in the beginning of the year translate to the conference season?
A: Who knows? Absolutely it's a huge question mark. I think in the conference this year, there's more parity since I've been in the league. In conference play, we only have one crack at everybody and it's not going to be easy. It's going to be challenging for us. We're on the road for three at the start and I think it's going to be challenging, again. You look at George Washington with what they've done and who they've beaten, I think they're going to be a hard team to challenge.