The men’s and women’s basketball teams are cornerstones at the University of Detroit Mercy.
I was able to sit down with men’s coach Bacari Alexander and women’s coach Bernard Scott, and I would be doing you a disservice if I told you they both weren’t very impressive.
They have this ability to make you feel welcome no matter who you are.
It’s obvious they have a deep admiration for this university.
Both coaches want to build successful championship winning programs at Detroit Mercy.
This is something that the university desperately needs.
The enthusiasm for the sports teams here is almost nonexistent.
A successful men’s team, coupled with a successful women’s team, would do a lot to increase interest in our school.
With the two coaches we have in place now, I think it is very possible for those teams to thrive.
It is early in Bacari Alexander’s tenure – this is his first season here – but he brings a wealth of experience working under coaches like John Beilein at Michigan, Tim O’Shea at Ohio, and our own Perry Watson.
With that experience and a few breaks, Alexander should have Detroit Mercy back on top of the Horizon League in no time.
Coach Scott coached the women’s team to a 15-15 record last season, his first season as head coach.
So far this season the team is 10-9 with a 6-2 conference record.
Scott is continuing to build a strong program.
It is now up to students to come out to Calihan Hall and do their part in cheering on both teams.
I’m not asking students to blindly follow these teams, but these are programs on the rise that could use some support.
Calihan Hall is an historic venue and it would be nice to see it packed to the rafters with Titan fans.
In the coming seasons I expect both teams to be at the top of the conference, making a few tournament runs under the leadership of the two head coaches.
Time will tell if I’m right.
Coach Alexander is changing the culture on the men’s team and that does take time, but I don’t doubt that it will be done.
Coach Scott has changed the culture for the women and it is starting to show on the court.
Maybe we are starting to witness the return of Titan basketball.
