Opponents beware: Gilbert likes to steal

In the real world stealing is a crime, but on the hardwood, it's a way of life.

If stealing a basketball from an opponent's control was a criminal act, Daniel Gilbert's file at the police station would stretch from Buffalo all the way back to his hometown of Detroit, Mich.

Gilbert, a 6-foot-6-inch senior, is a force to be reckoned with on defense. Known as "Danny Hustle" by the fans at Alumni Arena, Gilbert manages to grab 1.4 steals a game, allotting him the number 13 spot of most steals per game in the Mid-American Conference. Once he hears the fans chanting his name, he's going for another.

"If I get a steal and they're yelling 'Danny Hustle, Danny Hustle,' I'm trying to get another one and keep the crowd hyped," said Gilbert.

Gilbert, who averages the second highest number of minutes on the court per game, 28, has managed to collect four or more steals three times this season. His career high is five, a number he has reached seven times in his career, including twice this season - against Colgate and UConn.

While he has shown his skills on the court throughout his collegiate career, he didn't start playing organized basketball until high school.

"I always played in my neighborhood," said Gilbert. "I never played AAU or anything but I played a bunch of tournaments in my neighborhood, outside my neighborhood."

Gilbert, who has started the Bulls' last 61 games in a row, doubles as both guard and forward. He prefers forward over guard, and he also prefers slamming down a dunk to hitting a three.

"I think the crowd likes (a dunk) a little bit more," said Gilbert.

Gilbert, who likes to bowl, go to the movies, and relax in his free time, says his most memorable game as yet was the home playoff game last year against Northern Illinois, a game where he slammed down two impressive dunks.

Being one of four seniors on the team, Gilbert, an African-American studies major, realizes that time is of the essence and uses it as motivation.

"I'm a senior," said Gilbert. "I don't have too many games left."

Once he hangs up his number 31 jersey at the end of the season, he feels he is going to miss more than just one thing.

"The whole atmosphere. Being around the team. Seeing what we made of this university from my freshman year," said Gilbert. "We didn't have a lot of people here. Now it's sold out like every other game."

Gilbert averages 2.1 assists and 7.6 points per game, and has gotten 28 steals on the year, putting him at third on the team behind Turner Battle and Calvin Cage. The Bulls have benefited greatly from his aggressive defense more than once this year, as every tight game that goes down the wire is decided by good defense and good free-throw shooting.

In addition to Gilbert's defensive prowess, he has been shooting a respectable 64 percent from the charity stripe.

Gilbert hopes to play basketball overseas for a couple of years and then return to the United States to possibly work in a school system.

But no matter where Gilbert goes, he said that part of him will always stay in Buffalo.

"Once you're a UB Bull, you're going to be a Bull for life," he said."

Five Random Questions:

1. What was the first concert you went to?

Fall Fest, my freshman year.

2. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter?

Creamy.

3. What is your cell phone ring tone?

"Lean Back."

4. Who is your favorite Ninja Turtle?

Michelangelo.

5. What do you get on your pizza?

Bacon, all the time. Just bacon.