We heard from ADM boys basketball coach Aaron Mager earlier this week as he talked about needing a “collective buy-in” from his returning players this offseason if his team is going to improve on its below .500 record.

What also needs to happen for improvement to take place is some better play on the hardwood itself.  But what does ADM need to work on the most?  Coach Mager answers…

“I would say shooting is where we need to continue to get better.  I think we showed progress in that this season… We spent a lot of time at the end of our practicing kind of modeling ourselves after Harlan.  Talking to their staff, one of the things they do is they make their kids make 50 three-pointers and 25 free throws after every practice before games, so it’s about reps.  The guys need to realize they’ve got several months between now and November to take advantage of that.”

Coach Mager says steps have to be taken to be better on the defensive end as well.

“We need to be better defensively.  I think we gave up 63 points per game and that might have gone up with the 83 points Harlan scored (in the final game).  (We) need to get that number in the 50s and lower-50s preferably.”

The Tigers’ statistical rankings in the Raccoon River Conference back up their coach’s points.  ADM finished in the bottom half of the conference in both points allowed and field goal percentage.