Dayton’s Sissoko known for catchphrase: ‘We got the dub!’

Dub stands for W, which stands for win. The tradition started after a victory against Saint Louis.

“Everybody was like, ‘Saint Lous is a big team and they play really hard and tough,’” Sissoko said. “After we won the game, I said, ‘Man, no matter what they say, we got the dub.’”

One of the cameramen told him he should say that after every game. Sissoko said, “I’ve got you.”

Coach Anthony Grant joined Sissko after one victory last season.

“What did we do today?” Sissoko asked.

“We got the dub!” Grant said.

That was one way Sissoko stayed engaged with his teammates as he sat out the season as a redshirt. He played well in Dayton’s one exhibition game against Cedarville last season, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Nine days later, however, Dayton announced he would redshirt. He practiced with the team all season and sat on the bench for home games.

Sissoko’s long wait to play ended when Dayton opened the season Dec. 1. He had two points in 11 minutes in a 66-63 victory against Eastern Illinois. He had two points and four rebounds in 11 minutes Saturday in a 66-64 loss to Southern Methodist.

Dayton will need even more production from Sissoko as the season moves forward.

“I think having a chance to experience college basketball last year certainly helped him,” Grant said. “Everybody’s different in terms of how they take advantage of that year in terms of learning what it takes to play college basketball. I think his familiarity with our system and terminology will help. Mou’s a guy that was here in the states for three years. The language and style of play, all that stuff was new to him — both academically and athletically.”

While Sissoko didn’t play as a freshman, it wasn’t because he wasn’t physically ready. He looked like the strongest player on the team last season. Ed Streit, who was the strength coach when Sissoko arrived on campus, used to take before-and-after photos of the newcomers. Doug Hauschild, Dayton’s sports information director, said Streit said there was no “before picture” of Sissoko because from a strength perspective he was mostly a finished product when he got to UD.

That remains the case this season. He was listed at 250 pounds as a freshman. He’s 248 pounds now as a redshirt freshman.

“We’re going to need him to be a physical force for us to help on the glass and do what he’s capable of doing,” Grant said. “He’s a well put-together kid.”