Durr Bolsters Bobcat Frontcourt
12/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Confidence is a funny thing. Just ask Carson Durr, although you might not get an answer.
"Confidence is such an important part of everything," Montana State's junior forward says with a laugh, "but it’s something that you almost don’t want to talk about. It can come and go."
Durr’s consistent contribution during the first month of the 2005-06 season stands as one of the season’s high points. The junior forward broke out with a career-high 10 points at Northern Colorado, and scored seven each in the next two games. He was 7-for-14 from the field in that span, getting four boards in each game with a 5-to-2 assist-to-turnover ratio.
His improvements have come from increased confidence, he says, but is quick to add that he trusts himself more with each solid outing. "It’s going well," he said. "It’s going how I hoped it would go last year. I feel more confident in what I’m supposed to be doing on the court. I know what’s expected of me, and I know I can do what I’m expected to do."
Confidence, one of the most striking chicken-egg propositions in sports, affects everything, Durr says. "It makes a difference in how you play, it makes a difference in how you practice, it makes a difference in how you prepare in the off-season. It just makes a very, very big difference in everything."
When Durr arrived in Bozeman two years ago, most observers expected him to redshirt. Instead, he joined the varsity and contributed solid minutes based primarily on solid defensive effort and a willingness to fit in on offense.
Durr said the transition from tiny Roberts High, a class C powerhouse, to Division I basketball was as big as it would seem. "Obviously," he said, "the biggest difference is that in high school you’re the best player on the team, and when you get to college you’re just trying to fit in. My freshman year all I wanted to do was not redshirt and travel with the team."
Durr adjusted by playing smart. "At first (the game seems fast), but as it goes on you learn to deal with the size and the speed by playing smarter. You realize you can’t rely on athletic ability so you have to play smart, rely on technique, use your head."
Last year, Durr earned minutes as a power forward, a role to which he has taken. "Actually, the four comes more natural to me. I can guard those guys a little easier than three guys. In the Big Sky most four men are outside guys, so I don’t mind chasing them around the perimeter."
Durr and the Bobcats face Wyoming in Casper on Saturday at 4 pm.
"Confidence is such an important part of everything," Montana State's junior forward says with a laugh, "but it’s something that you almost don’t want to talk about. It can come and go."
Durr’s consistent contribution during the first month of the 2005-06 season stands as one of the season’s high points. The junior forward broke out with a career-high 10 points at Northern Colorado, and scored seven each in the next two games. He was 7-for-14 from the field in that span, getting four boards in each game with a 5-to-2 assist-to-turnover ratio.
His improvements have come from increased confidence, he says, but is quick to add that he trusts himself more with each solid outing. "It’s going well," he said. "It’s going how I hoped it would go last year. I feel more confident in what I’m supposed to be doing on the court. I know what’s expected of me, and I know I can do what I’m expected to do."
Confidence, one of the most striking chicken-egg propositions in sports, affects everything, Durr says. "It makes a difference in how you play, it makes a difference in how you practice, it makes a difference in how you prepare in the off-season. It just makes a very, very big difference in everything."
When Durr arrived in Bozeman two years ago, most observers expected him to redshirt. Instead, he joined the varsity and contributed solid minutes based primarily on solid defensive effort and a willingness to fit in on offense.
Durr said the transition from tiny Roberts High, a class C powerhouse, to Division I basketball was as big as it would seem. "Obviously," he said, "the biggest difference is that in high school you’re the best player on the team, and when you get to college you’re just trying to fit in. My freshman year all I wanted to do was not redshirt and travel with the team."
Durr adjusted by playing smart. "At first (the game seems fast), but as it goes on you learn to deal with the size and the speed by playing smarter. You realize you can’t rely on athletic ability so you have to play smart, rely on technique, use your head."
Last year, Durr earned minutes as a power forward, a role to which he has taken. "Actually, the four comes more natural to me. I can guard those guys a little easier than three guys. In the Big Sky most four men are outside guys, so I don’t mind chasing them around the perimeter."
Durr and the Bobcats face Wyoming in Casper on Saturday at 4 pm.
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