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PG Andrew Dakich (2018 B1G Sportsmanship Award, Illinois St. Assistant Coach)

OHIO STATE'S CHRIS HOLTMANN “DID NOT EXPECT THIS” KIND OF PRODUCTION FROM ANDREW DAKICH IN 2017-18

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Ohio State has been a team of surprises this season.

Keita Bates-Diop is making a serious run for Big Ten Player of the Year, Ohio State is 10 games above .500 and the Buckeyes are undefeated in conference play after being picked to finish lower than 10th in nearly every preseason poll.

Yet perhaps the most surprising story of the 2017-18 season has been the play of graduate transfer guard Andrew Dakich. The former Michigan Wolverine poured in a career-high 11 points, all in the first half, to help spark the Buckeyes to a 91-69 win over Maryland on Thursday night, the most points he claims to have scored in a game since his senior year of high school.

Dakich has scored in double figures just twice this season, but his impact has been more than noticeable for Ohio State, especially in the last three games. Against Iowa, Dakich dished out five first-half assists on the road against Iowa, with starter C.J. Jackson plagued with foul trouble. In an upset win over Michigan State, Dakich contributed three helpers and three points, all of which came on a buzzer-beating three-pointer from about 35 feet to end the first half against the Spartans.



The impact that Dakich has made on Ohio State this season has surprised even his head coach, who recruited him out of high school while at Gardner-Webb.

"I did not expect this. We saw him (in high school) and liked him as a player. Son of a coach, tough, competitive. Probably needs to keep his mouth shut out there a little but on the floor," Chris Holtmann said with a smile.

After five years, Holtmann found himself at Ohio State with just one scholarship point guard on the roster in Jackson. Holtmann said he and his coaching staff considered looking at nearby recreation leagues for a possible backup point guard, just to fill a roster.

When Dakich became an option to transfer to Ohio State, however, Holtmann said there was no hesitation to take him because of the intangibles he brings to the team.

"The only reason it wasn't a gamble was because I knew who we were getting, more as a young man, as a teammate, as a guy that was going to really want to be here and really want our team to win," Holtmann said. "All of those things checked off. Those are the things you worry about with fifth-year guys."

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ictory-over-maryland-with-energy-timely-shots
 
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KBDs putback winner would not have been possible without Dakich's hustle rebound after Tates miss with 16 seconds left. As someone who laughed like hell at bringing Dakich in, he's been an unexpected actual contributor off the bench. Thanks scUM.

He is not a particularly talented player, but he has an advanced understanding of the game, gives good effort and really adds to this team.
 
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