Badgering: D'Mitrik Trice
December 05, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Varsity Magazine
Sophomore guard shares favorite basketball memories and biggest difference of this year’s Badgers
MADISON, Wis. — What's your youngest basketball memory?
"I think I was maybe 6 or 7 years old and I remember playing in the Upward League. I have no idea why this memory sticks out in my head, but I remember during one game I had to tie my shoe. They stopped the game and everyone was staring at me while I tied it. I remember my Grandma telling me after the game that it was the fastest she'd ever seen a shoe tied. Ha ha."
What's your favorite memory of watching your brother, Travis, play basketball?
"I'd have to say watching him play in the Final Four. That was a really big moment for him and my family, especially since he was a senior made it even more special. They played in the 2015 Final Four in Indianapolis, the same year Wisconsin played there. I also loved getting to see him cut the nets down after beating Louisville in the Elite Eight in Syracuse. We had just won the high school state championship the night before, the first in school history and the first for my dad as a coach, and then we drove like eight hours the next morning and got to Syracuse, New York in time to see him play in the Elite Eight. That was incredible."
Ice in his veins. Ice in his name. D'Mitrik Tr-ICE ❄️ has been a playmaker for the Badgers and leads the Big Ten in 3FG at 60.0% (30-for-50) this season #OnWisconsin // #Badgers
— Wisconsin Basketball(@BadgerMBB) December 4, 2018
What was is like playing for your father?
"Honestly, it was amazing. I loved having him as my coach. Sometimes it was good and sometimes it was bad, but I was lucky enough to have a lot more coaching off the court than others did. We'd get home from practice or a game and I would still be hearing about it and we'd be talking about it. That certainly helped shape me into the man I am today, and I'm thankful to him for that."
What was your biggest focus during the offseason?
"My main focus was to get fully healthy and 100 percent. But I also switched my mentality to getting stronger and I think that elevated my game. I put on about 10 pounds and decided to take every day seriously, whether it was in the weight room, the gym, etc. I worked hard in Madison and back home with my dad and brother. I think that mentality has played a big role in my shooting this year. Getting that added weight and strength is helping my jump shot."
The Badgers improve to 8-1 (2-0 Big Ten) on the season, the team's best start since 2014-15 Top plays from tonight's win! #OnWisconsin // #Badgers
— Wisconsin Basketball(@BadgerMBB) December 3, 2018
What is the biggest difference from last year's team to this year?
"I'd say the communication is something that has been a big factor, both on and off the court. This is one of the best teams I have been on in terms of communicators. Also, people are finding their roles and sticking to that and not going off doing their own thing. Nobody is selfish on this team and everyone's only objective is to win and help our team in any way possible."
