Making a team mesh together is something that is easier said than done.

The ISU men’s basketball club, which is just one year removed from a final four appearance at the National Club Basketball Association National Championships, is returning nearly every contributor from last year’s team, but somehow came up short in the chemistry department.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into the season,” said freshman Dylan DiMatteo. “The age difference hasn’t been as big of a factor as I thought it would be.”

As the chemistry has started to increase this season, so have the wins. Eight games into the season, the club has racked a 6-2 record. The club has also climbed up to No. 11 in the NCBBA rankings.

The experience that the club possesses has catapulted it into a position to make a run at the national title. The biggest departure from last year’s team was Brady Lamb. Lamb was one of the best shooters on the team, but the additions of DiMatteo and fellow freshman Walker Weiss have filled the void that Lamb left behind.

“Dylan and Walker have been a nice addition to the team,” said club president Da’Zhawn Davis. “The returners have welcomed them with open arms.”

The chemistry issue is nothing new to the club. The club had issues integrating everyone together last year, the players said. But as the season progressed, the chemistry level went through the roof.

By the time the team reached nationals last year, the players gained trust in each other and that resulted in them playing within the flow of the game. They knew where their teammates would be on the floor.

In hopes to gain chemistry quicker than last season, club members have taken measures into their own hands to get closer.

“It’s the little stuff like hanging out and seeing each other off the court,” said senior Steve Neylon. “It makes the mood on the court a lot lighter when people are loose and joking around.”

Without a true coach, Davis has taken it upon himself to lead the team. As a leader, Davis makes it his job to make the mood at practice light, but still have a mindset to get better each time out on the floor.

“With no true coach, the guys on the team still take practice seriously and want to get better,” Davis said.

The team has become more legitimate with actual practice plans and even has new uniforms. The club has also been a mainstay in the top-15 of every ranking period put out by the NCBBA.

Davis feels this team is better than last year and is a legitimate threat to contend for a national title. In order to do that, the chemistry will be at an all-time high. Its style of play is unique, which will set it apart from the competition. If it executes, the team feels that it can win it all.

“We don’t have one guy that we rely on,” DiMatteo said. “We have the experience and depth to go all the way.”