Defense and rebounding were two big categories the Central men’s basketball team looked to improve upon for the 2015-16 season that weren’t up to par the previous year. The Dutch averaged 39.3 rebounds per game in 2014-15, and after their last game of the season this past March, they grabbed 41.4 per game and had a little over five more rebounds each time out than their opponents. Factor in that their competitors rebounded the ball three less times per game than Central as compared to a year ago, and you could say Central was definitely better at rebounding and at defense. However, their third focus was on taking care of the ball better, something Coach Craig Douma says the team didn’t do a good enough job at in ’15-’16. Central averaged 14 turnovers per game last year and committed 15 per game through 29 contests this past season. There’s one turnover statistic that does benefit the Dutch: they did not graduate any players this season, and will bring back an experienced and dangerous squad this winter for the 2016-17 campaign.

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