http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 8801280333
DI transfers are a boost
Four Norse players are integral to 14-3 start to season and first in GLVC East
BY MATT MULCAHEY | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR
The influx of Division I basketball transfers into the Division II ranks has both an upside and a downside for a program such as NKU.
On the upside, these transfers come ready to contribute immediately unlike the majority of freshmen and can instantly change the fortunes of a program. On the downside, transfers typically have only one or two seasons of eligibility remaining, leaving schools in a perpetual cycle of filling holes in their roster.
With West Virginia transfer Dennis Gagai, the Norse get all those perks and none of the drawbacks.
As a redshirt freshman, the Ironton, Ohio native was good enough to make the team at West Virginia last year as a walk-on. But because he was redshirted, Gagai begins his Norse career with four years of eligibility remaining.
He's now one of four Division I transfers on the Norse's roster - joining Vincent Humphrey (Valparaiso), Anthony Teague (New Mexico) and DeAaron Williams (Wisconsin). They've helped the Norse get off to a 14-3 start and a first-place standing in the GLVC East.
"(The GLVC) has become a conference that lives by (Division I transfers)," Bezold said. "It's really hard for high school kids to come in and be effective and make an impact right away."
An immediate impact is exactly what Gagai has made. He's leading the team in scoring at 13.1 points per game and ranks 10th in the GLVC in field goal percentage (57.9 percent) and first in 3-point shooting (54.8 percent).
"He's got the ability to take the ball to the hole and also to hit a 15-footer," NKU coach Dave Bezold said. "That's the reason he's shooting so well and his percentage is so high - he can do other things than just shoot a 3-pointer."
Gagai spent the majority of his lone season at West Virginia working on those other things.
As a redshirt, Gagai traveled and practiced with the Mountaineers, but didn't participate in games. Gagai spent that extra free time honing his shot.
"I knew I had to work so hard to get to the level that (the West Virginia scholarship players) already were at," Gagai said. "Shooting the ball was one of the things I had over those guys so I focused on that."
When Gagai first decided to transfer, he hoped to land at another Division I program. However, that would've meant sitting out a second straight season.
By transferring to a Division II program Gagai was eligible to play immediately and the chance to get back on the court is what ultimately led him to the Norse.
"I've always heard that the more years you sit out the harder it is to get back in the game," Gagai said. "I wanted to get back in the game."
Cincy Enquirer Article on Dennis Gagai
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WLWT [Cincinnati Channel 5] News had film clips of the NKU game last night [which they won]. Unfortunately, I couldn't spot Dennis in the play shown and didn't hear them say his name in the very brief coverage aired. Darn.
The whole greater Cincinnati area has too many D1 Universities whose basketball teams are doing very well - so NKU gets slighted on mentions and TV coverage. I'm really glad to read that Dennis is doing so well! GO NKU NORSE!
The whole greater Cincinnati area has too many D1 Universities whose basketball teams are doing very well - so NKU gets slighted on mentions and TV coverage. I'm really glad to read that Dennis is doing so well! GO NKU NORSE!