Give it up for hustling

By Gabe Taylor

Every team needs players that are willing to do the little things. It's what differentiates a team's overall capabilities on the court.

Dennis Rodman filled that position for the Bulls; Ron Artest took on that role for the Lakers last year. Look where both of those teams ended up.

When Santa Clara dismantled the Bulldogs, it was in large part due to Senior forwards Ben Dowdell and Troy Payne doing the little things.

They were relentless, attacking the hoop, rebounding, moving the ball and sticking tight on defense.

Dowdell and Payne combined for 21 points, 12 rebounds including seven offensive, and four steals.

And this solid stat line is nothing new. Earlier in WCC play, Payne recorded six steals in the Broncos victory against San Diego.  

We tend to focus so much of our attention on the offensive machines, but the impact of hustle players is what helps drive the leading scorer and the entire team.

Foster's impeccable shooting overshadowed the play of Dowdell and Payne. But it is important to keep in mind that Foster could have gone off for 36 points, and the Broncos may still have fallen.

Basketball is a team sport, and against the Zags, the Broncos played as a team. Dowdell and Payne took control of guiding the team's unification, bringing energy and hustle onto the court.  

Kevin Foster is a star and a team leader, but all leaders need their sidekicks.

Dowdell and Payne take it upon themselves to do what is necessary to win against any given team; they are able to adjust.

Against the University of Portland, Dowdell emerged as an offensive threat, going for 22 points despite averaging 7.7 points per game on the season. He transformed into a scorer, because the team needed him to.

Payne's contributions to Santa Clara's second straight victory against a winning squad were also noteworthy. Payne recorded nine points, in addition to grabbing nine rebounds, and displayed consistency on the court throughout the contest.

As seniors, these two provide experience to a lineup laced with young players.

It is more than apparent that they are going to make the most of their last season as Broncos.

They will continue to lay it all on the line, and maybe that is exaclty what Santa Clara needs in order to reach the NCAA Tournament in March.

We can all hope, because when it comes down to it, it's the little things that matter most.