Pariseau brings intensity to Broncos' game

By Chris Furnari

Senior basketball player Danny Pariseau is quite possibly the most nonchalant, laid back man on the entire campus, but you wouldn't know it from his game.

The 5'10, 160-pound guard, a transfer from Eastern Washington University, is most commonly recognized for his aggressive, up-tempo style of play on the court. Of course, few see Pariseau sitting in front of his computer reviewing game film and strumming a few chords on the acoustic guitar.

Pariseau arrived on campus last year but was forced to sit out a year due to NCAA regulations. A native of Spokane, Wash., Pariseau played at Shadle Park High School until he eventually decided to continue his basketball career at Eastern Washington. While he experienced some success at EWU, Pariseau was looking for more after a coaching change brought a different style of play than he had become accustomed to with the previous coach.

"I decided to leave because it felt like we were playing not to lose," said Pariseau. "We weren't playing to win, and I didn't want to finish my career like that."

Pariseau began his search for a new university with help from former Gonzaga basketball coach Dan Fitzgerald.

"I was looking at a few division two schools, but after playing with some of their guys, I realized it just wasn't the same," said Pariseau.

Pariseau knew that he still wanted to play at the division one level and consulted Fitzgerald for advice.

"Fitz told me the only guy he could really vouch for was Coach Davey," said Pariseau.

That was all the advice Pariseau needed. He packed his bags and headed for a visit at the Mission Campus.

"I came down here to play with some of the guys, and I remember playing with Scotty," said Pariseau, referring to Scott Dougherty. "We had played together before, and I just knew this was the place."

Pariseau made his decision to attend Santa Clara, despite reaching the NCAA tournament with Eastern Washington his sophomore year. Pariseau, however, wanted more out of himself and more out of his coach.

"I don't like playing strictly a half-court game," said Pariseau. "I like being able to switch it up."

Pariseau hoped that Davey would not only be a good fit for his style of play; he also still wanted to improve.

"I wanted a coach that was old school and taught some more of the fundamentals," said Pariseau. "I wanted to use my red-shirt year to get better."

Pariseau also credits Brody Angley as one of the main reasons why he came here, knowing he would be able to practice against him every day and improve.

Nobody, not even Pariseau, could foresee the impact he would make in his final year of collegiate basketball. He is averaging just under 10 points per game and offers another offensive threat at the guard position next to Angley. His biggest boon, however, does not show up in the stat column.

Pariseau has brought a new dimension to the team that has helped give the Broncos an edge in tough match-ups. While some would argue that Pariseau is the purest shooter on the team, he believes his biggest asset lies in his intensity.

"There is not much else a skinny little guy can do other than being insanely competitive," said Pariseau.

Competitive is an understatement. Pariseau plays every minute of every game like it's the NCAA championship, with little regard for his body. Regardless of the night, Pariseau is making it happen, even when he's not making all of his shots or on top of his game.

"I thought about my role last year when I wasn't playing," said Pariseau. "I said that regardless of what happened, I was going to go out there and play as hard as I could every night."

Through the first 18 games of the season, Pariseau has done just that, and has since earned not only a starting role, but a comparison to Santa Clara's most famous alumnus, Steve Nash.

If you asked Pariseau, he would politely disagree.

"It's B.S.," said Pariseau. "That guy is insanely good. Nash is such a threat, he's so hard to guard, and I don't think that's me."

That doesn't stop Pariseau from trying to emulate some of Nash's moves.

"I see some things, and I think, 'Oh, that's a good pass,' or, 'I like that move, I think I'll try that,'" said Pariseau.

Comparisons aside, Danny Pariseau is creating a legacy of his own. He is quickly becoming a fan favorite and opposing teams' worst nightmare. It's a shame the Broncos didn't have the self-described skinny little kid for another year or two.

"I love Santa Clara," said Pariseau. "I wish I would have come here from the beginning."

Contact Chris Furnari at (408) 551-1918 or cfurnari@scu.edu.