“I was on the sidelines and said ‘I want to stay in shape and stay sharp on everything,’” Dahlman said. “So I went to coach and said, ‘Coach let me run the scout team and let me take that over and let me push them to get (the team) even better.’”

It’s been somewhat of a difficult transition for Dahlman, but one that he says he’s learned from and embraced. In high school, he earned All-America recognition after posting a three-year record of 95-4, including 65 straight wins and three straight Minnesota 2A State Championships.

Dahlman, affectionately referred to by his teammates as “Zeke,” said that leadership experience in high school coupled with the mentorship of the team’s seasoned veterans has led him to value the experience.

“This is kind of my team and I’ve taken it upon myself to go head-to-head and make this team better,” he said.

“Different years, you play different roles on teams. It just makes you a better player all around because you know you have certain aspects to play into. It’s changed every year, but it’s been fun, too.”

Last season, Dahlman started eight games mainly due to an injury to fellow freshman Raymar Morgan. Dahlman played more than 30 minutes in four of the contests, racking up most of his career-highs.

Of the players he runs with on the scout team (freshman Austin Thornton, redshirt freshman Tom Herzog and walk-ons Jon Crandall and Mike Kebler), Dahlman has a noticeable advantage in game experience.

“He’s helped me a lot,” Thornton said. “We have a great time playing together on the scout team. You have to, otherwise it’s no fun coming in here and being the beat-up guy.”

Associate head coach Mark Montgomery said Dahlman’s game experience from last season and his leadership exposure during practice will prove valuable when Dahlman’s opportunity arises.

“He has a leadership role on the team because he’s a leader on the scout team,” Montgomery said. “You have to be ready when called. Zeke’s all about winning. He understands we’re trying to bring the freshmen around but he’s still working on his game.”

Senior center Drew Naymick said Dahlman sometimes views practice like a game and lets his teammates know when he has a good one with some occasional trash talking.

“There have been days when he’s actually been dominant on the scout team,” Naymick said. “He takes a lot of pride in that.”

Dahlman, whose grandfather, John Kundla, is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, said he’ll continue to work on his game every day until he gets the call to play in the spotlight.

“He knows the stuff, so if the time comes”... Montgomery said, “he’ll be ready.”