Beyond the Numbers S ports
by XAVIER SANCHEZ sports writer
The game of basketball has come a long way since the inventor James Naismith mounted the peach basket on a wall and shot the leather ball into the basket in 1891. About 127 years later, basketball is one of the most enjoyed sports to both play and watch. Each year since its creation, new techniques, plays, and other elements have been added to grow the game. The latest element added is the stressed importance on data analytics. Basketball coaches have long studied film and used their own eyes and brains to comprehend what is going on and what they need to do in their game plan. Now, there is technology and people willing to dive into newfound data sets to give teams an edge verse their opponents. NBA and even some major college programs have the financial resources to collect data but also have people to work through the data and come to conclusions. At the Division 3 level, it is extremely difficult for someone to devote his or her time and energy to data analytics within “little” reward. Loras men’s basketball is one of those Division 3 programs lucky enough to have a devoted student that embraces data analytics and combines it with his love for basketball. That student is junior Thomas Rhomberg. The men’s team is not new to data but Rhomberg has allowed the program to make
the absolute most from his work. The 2016-17 season, Rhomberg joined then-Analytics intern, Jordan Stiefel. Stiefel and Rhomberg would attend games and meet after to discuss their findings. The following season, Rhomberg began attending both home and away games collecting and interpreting data for the team. This past season, Rhomberg helped the team capitalize on his and his assistant junior Nick Reiter’s findings all throughout the season. “We gave Tom a lot more responsibilities midway through the season. We asked him to give us plays backed up by information that will work,” Coach Martin said. He later added, “We need you (Rhomberg) to come up with a way to save two points on the defensive end or score two more points on the offensive end.” These play suggestions were given not only during games but also during practices and before and after each game. Rhomberg would do season-long projects while Reiter would look into game-by-game data. They are constantly reporting back to the coaches and players. C oach Jon Aldridge said, “He (Rhomberg) sits in there and has his own voice. He has his own free will to talk in halftime meetings.” Rhomberg’s big task was finding ways to either gain points or prevent less points with the help of data. After watching film, he
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concluded their final play of the half rarely ended in a basket. He spoke to coach and asked them to change things up in practice and run a new play come game time. The coaches switched things up and took his suggestion. It resulted in a two-point basket by senior DeAndre Williams, giving Rhomberg his first job as an analytical assist.
what they wanted their senior season to be, and their role in it as a class. Catcher Gerbig said, “The role of a senior on a team is usually leader or captain. The Loras College softball team is losing five key senior players and leaders from their roster: Ashley Lentine, Lau- This year the seniors didn’t want those titles solely for ourren Fritz, Bayley Monroe, Melanie Gerbig, and Shanon selves. We wanted a team where everyone can feel comfortCoyle. All five seniors were valuable parts of Team 44’s able leading and speaking up whether they were a freshman lineup, whether that was as a designated hitter, a catcher, a or a senior. The most important role of the seniors on the team this year was to share the knowledge we have of the pitcher, or an infielder. They are leaving big shoes to fill and the program will not game and of the Duhawk softball culture.” Even with all of those visions, this year fell short of exbe the same without them. These seniors gave 110% on and pectations for the Duhawk softball team, but they learned off the field, in and out of season. They had great visions of some valuable lessons in order to help prepare for next year’s conference play. The team ended the season with an overall record of 10-27-1. The Duhawks finished their season with a double header battle against the Wartburg Knights. Going in, the Duhawks knew this was going to be their last game of the season, and for the seniors, the last game of their career. Catcher Fritz said, “Going into the last game, I didn’t want to do anything different. I just wanted to have fun. I was very conscious stepping into the box that it was my last at bat and even stepping off of the field, but I didn’t want to try to do anything out of the ordinary because then it wouldn’t be photo courtesy LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS genuine. It was a little bit Loras infielders discuss their game plan before the next inning during a recent game by MADISON DOUBEK sports writer
against Central.
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Data analytics helps propel Duhawks
He has since been bumped up from Head Analytics intern to Director of Analytics for the Loras College Men’s Basketball team. Rhomberg is making the most of his opportunity with Loras Men’s Basketball and hopes what he is doing with the team doesn’t end. He one day hopes he makes a career out of it.
Teammates reflect on their contribution to the program harder than usual to take my gear off at the end.” The seniors definitely showed up to play, with big hits from Lentine, Fritz, and Coyle throughout the day. The Knights ended up taking both games, but the Duhawks did not give up without a fight. The second game went into extra innings, with the Knights winning with a walk off single, making the score 7-6. Looking ahead, Coach Ashley Winter is feeling motivated and determined to get better. The Duhawks are looking forward to welcoming one of the largest incoming classes in program history. The season might not have ended the way anyone would have hoped, but the seniors are still grateful for what the program has given to them. Monroe talks about going into retirement, “Being a retired athlete means I’m not given the opportunity to be a part of the softball family here at Loras anymore. It does mean however, that I am a part of a new Loras family, as an alumni. Playing softball at Loras has given me so many amazing memories, as well as some not so good ones that I was able to grow and learn from. Being a part of this program has definitely kept me busy over the last four years, but I am so grateful I was able to play the sport I love at the institution I love. I might be done with my softball career, but I will always be a Duhawk, and will keep the friendships that I have made here forever.” As a class, the seniors had to step up as leaders and help their underclassmen build, and prepare for next season. Coach Winter said, “Every time we remember this senior class we will think of them and smile. We appreciate the memories, growth, and the impact they have left behind both on and off the field. I am excited to see what the senior class will accomplish in their life after Loras.” The program would like to thank their seniors for everything they have sacrificed and given to the Duhawk softball team over the last four years.
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photo courtesy LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS The men’s basketball team relaxes ahead of their second-round NCAA Division III Tournament game against North Central on March 2. The Duhawks won the game to earn their first-ever berth in the Sweet Sixteen of the national tournament.
Saying goodbye to seniors
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May 9, 2019
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