Post by stlvufan on Feb 2, 2006 13:05:00 GMT -5
Campus briefs--deseretnews.com
Southern Utah
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: SUU (8-12, 1-8) has a pair of games this week. SUU begins the week by hosting Valparaiso (12-8, 6-3) at 7:05 p.m. at the Centrum Arena. The T-Birds then make a quick trip to Tulsa, Okla., for a Monday date with Oral Roberts.
UMKC at Utah Valley State--Kansas City Star
With top 5 scorers departing, VU might seek help overseas--Post Tribune
Feb. 2, 2006
Publicly, Valparaiso coach Homer Drew said he only wants to focus on this season.
“Once we get all of our pieces together, we’re going to be a good team,” said Drew, whose Crusaders (11-8, 4-5 Mid-Continent Conference) have lost a season-high four straight heading into tonight’s game with Centenary. “I’m not even worried about next year.”
In reality, you can’t help but think that Drew is pondering what he and the Crusaders will do in 2006-07.
Valparaiso’s top five scorers this season — Dan Oppland, Ron Howard, Mohamed Kone, Seth Colclasure and Ali Berdiel — will say adios. The returning players are averaging 25.1 of the Crusaders’ 80.3 points per game. The top player in that group, Shawn Huff, is nursing a broken bone in his left foot that’s cost him the last four games. Of the non-seniors, only Jarryd Loyd has made more than six starts.
The Crusaders will have holes — and most of their starting lineup — to fill, and perhaps a few replacements will come from outside the United States.
That’s been a potent formula for VU since the 1989-90 season, when the Crusaders went from bottom-feeders to kings of the Mid-Con. Valparaiso has signed 15 foreign players in the past 16 seasons. Many — including Lubos Barton (third all-time in points with 1,675, third in rebounds: 753); Raitis Grafs (fourth in scoring: 1,621, second in rebounds: 841); Joaquim Gomes (fourth in rebounds: 704); and Berdiel (third in assists: 464) — have made significant impacts.
Valparaiso was one of the first schools to mine overseas talent, and former head and assistant coach Scott Drew was the biggest factor. A tireless worker, Scott journeyed around the world, finding players who easily could have competed for major programs.
“I think recruiting is all about developing relationships,” said Scott, who’s in his third season at Baylor, where he inked top recruiting classes in back-to-back seasons. He would have had another elite junior college player — Kone — but he wound up at Valparaiso after not enough of his college credits from Southern Idaho transferred to Baylor.
“(Recruiting) takes time, effort and energy. If you do that, you’re going to be successful,” Scott said.
Homer Drew hopes his other son, VU assistant Bryce, and fellow assistant Matt Bowen can match Scott’s success.
But they, along with Homer Drew, will have a far greater challenge in signing blue-chip foreign talent.
When Scott Drew began recruiting outside the United States, Homer Drew said players didn’t know the difference between Valparaiso and Duke. With international sports networks and the Internet, that’s changed.
“We got in early and got a good run of international players,” Homer Drew said. “Everyone now has caught up.
“Without question, we miss Scott because of the friendships he developed, the coaching connections he developed. We’re now starting to get back internationally. It takes time to build up relationships.”
Homer Drew, who said he’s made between eight and 10 trips to Europe, said he’s one of three VU coaches allowed to recruit off campus, due to NCAA rules. Valparaiso’s third assistant, Ivan Vujic — a former Crusaders player from Croatia — has to complete his degree and become certified by the NCAA before he can recruit away from VU. If and when that happens, Homer Drew said Vujic could take his place as an off-campus recruiter.
The Crusaders have just one commit — Davenport, Iowa, guard Keaton Frye — for next season, and they could theoretically sign five more players.
It wouldn’t shock anyone if some of those ballers were from faraway lands.
n The Crusaders lead the all-time series with the Gents 5-4, including an 89-74 win on Dec. 29, 2005 at the Gold Dome. Centenary’s Chris Watson averages 15.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg. At 2-7 in the Mid-Con, Centenary is a half-game ahead of 2-8 Western Illinois for the No. 8 seed in the conference tournament.
Contact Justin Breen at 648-3122 or jbreen@post-trib.com
VU freshman has 'home-court advantage’--Post Tribune
Feb. 2, 2006
By Steve T. Gorches / Post-Tribune staff writer
To say Aimee Litka’s first season as a member of the Valparaiso women’s basketball team has been challenging would be a huge understatement.
But if she really needs some quiet time, she can just head back home to the Mishawaka area to the backyard of her parents’ home.
That’s where a full basketball court — 94 feet long and 50 feet wide in the college and high school game — is located. After all, when Litka is away from basketball, she needs to think about, well, more basketball.
“I’m always thinking about basketball,” she quipped recently on an off day without practice at the ARC.
Her dad built the concrete court in 1979. Litka’s 23-year-old brother, Casey, runs a local league on the court. They also hold a tournament at the end of the league season with the whole family on hand to watch the competition.
“It’s really nice to walk in your backyard and step onto a basketball court,” Litka said.
The unique aspect of her family’s home impressed VU coach Keith Freeman.
“It signifies that she comes from a family that cares so much about the sport,” he said.
Besides Litka’s family providing competition for her on the backyard court, they provide a great support group as she winds her way through the trials and tribulations of being a freshman on an NCAA basketball squad.
“They’re my biggest fans and try to come to as many games as possible,” she said, with older sisters Cortney, 26, and Ryanne, 25, among that family support.
“My brother and I are really close. We would play against each other or he would go outside and rebound for me.”
Freeman has developed a habit of recruiting players who have success at the high school level.
Launa and Leah Hochstetler were members of a high school state champion in Ohio.
Mayella Kuikhoven was a member of the national champion club team twice in the Netherlands.
Litka was no exception at South Bend St. Joseph’s.
She was part of the Class 3A state championship team last year, as the Indians defeated Corydon Central 70-57 in the final. Litka had 21 points and seven rebounds in the game.
That title was preceded by a regional title in 2004 and a semistate title in 2003 before St. Joe’s lost to Beech Grove in the state championship.
“Coming from programs that are good and have won a lot, the players have to compete, not just in games but in practice,” Freeman said. “They’re competing every day. It adds to how you look at things daily.”
Going from a main cog on a state championship squad to a role player off the bench in college has been tough for Litka.
“I was always a starter and on the floor most of the time,” she said. “It takes a little effort to accept a different role. As the season goes on, you accept it more.”
Litka has managed to play long enough in some games to show her talent hasn’t been wasted.
Her high-water mark was 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists at Oakland on Jan. 2.
In addition to less playing time, she’s had to get used to playing Freeman’s brand of defense. Actually, any defense is a change from the high-powered offense at St. Joe’s.
“In high school, we didn’t focus as much on defense with a very talented team on the offensive end,” she said. “It was a difficult transition for me. I really try to focus on my defense in practice.”
And that could lead to more playing time during key moments in games.
Contact Steve T. Gorches at 648-3141 or sgorches@post-trib.com
Crusaders hope to stop losing streak--NWI Times
VU men's primer--NWI Times
ORU Men Host Southern Utah on Thursday--UMKC Kangaroos
T-BIRDS CONCLUDE HOMESTAND SATURDAY VS. VALPARAISO--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
CRUSADERS AND GENTS TO TANGLE THURSDAY AT THE ARC--www.valpo.edu
Women's Basketball Heads to Centenary, Hosts IUPUI Monday Night--Western Illinois Athletics
Southern Utah
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: SUU (8-12, 1-8) has a pair of games this week. SUU begins the week by hosting Valparaiso (12-8, 6-3) at 7:05 p.m. at the Centrum Arena. The T-Birds then make a quick trip to Tulsa, Okla., for a Monday date with Oral Roberts.
UMKC at Utah Valley State--Kansas City Star
With top 5 scorers departing, VU might seek help overseas--Post Tribune
Feb. 2, 2006
Publicly, Valparaiso coach Homer Drew said he only wants to focus on this season.
“Once we get all of our pieces together, we’re going to be a good team,” said Drew, whose Crusaders (11-8, 4-5 Mid-Continent Conference) have lost a season-high four straight heading into tonight’s game with Centenary. “I’m not even worried about next year.”
In reality, you can’t help but think that Drew is pondering what he and the Crusaders will do in 2006-07.
Valparaiso’s top five scorers this season — Dan Oppland, Ron Howard, Mohamed Kone, Seth Colclasure and Ali Berdiel — will say adios. The returning players are averaging 25.1 of the Crusaders’ 80.3 points per game. The top player in that group, Shawn Huff, is nursing a broken bone in his left foot that’s cost him the last four games. Of the non-seniors, only Jarryd Loyd has made more than six starts.
The Crusaders will have holes — and most of their starting lineup — to fill, and perhaps a few replacements will come from outside the United States.
That’s been a potent formula for VU since the 1989-90 season, when the Crusaders went from bottom-feeders to kings of the Mid-Con. Valparaiso has signed 15 foreign players in the past 16 seasons. Many — including Lubos Barton (third all-time in points with 1,675, third in rebounds: 753); Raitis Grafs (fourth in scoring: 1,621, second in rebounds: 841); Joaquim Gomes (fourth in rebounds: 704); and Berdiel (third in assists: 464) — have made significant impacts.
Valparaiso was one of the first schools to mine overseas talent, and former head and assistant coach Scott Drew was the biggest factor. A tireless worker, Scott journeyed around the world, finding players who easily could have competed for major programs.
“I think recruiting is all about developing relationships,” said Scott, who’s in his third season at Baylor, where he inked top recruiting classes in back-to-back seasons. He would have had another elite junior college player — Kone — but he wound up at Valparaiso after not enough of his college credits from Southern Idaho transferred to Baylor.
“(Recruiting) takes time, effort and energy. If you do that, you’re going to be successful,” Scott said.
Homer Drew hopes his other son, VU assistant Bryce, and fellow assistant Matt Bowen can match Scott’s success.
But they, along with Homer Drew, will have a far greater challenge in signing blue-chip foreign talent.
When Scott Drew began recruiting outside the United States, Homer Drew said players didn’t know the difference between Valparaiso and Duke. With international sports networks and the Internet, that’s changed.
“We got in early and got a good run of international players,” Homer Drew said. “Everyone now has caught up.
“Without question, we miss Scott because of the friendships he developed, the coaching connections he developed. We’re now starting to get back internationally. It takes time to build up relationships.”
Homer Drew, who said he’s made between eight and 10 trips to Europe, said he’s one of three VU coaches allowed to recruit off campus, due to NCAA rules. Valparaiso’s third assistant, Ivan Vujic — a former Crusaders player from Croatia — has to complete his degree and become certified by the NCAA before he can recruit away from VU. If and when that happens, Homer Drew said Vujic could take his place as an off-campus recruiter.
The Crusaders have just one commit — Davenport, Iowa, guard Keaton Frye — for next season, and they could theoretically sign five more players.
It wouldn’t shock anyone if some of those ballers were from faraway lands.
n The Crusaders lead the all-time series with the Gents 5-4, including an 89-74 win on Dec. 29, 2005 at the Gold Dome. Centenary’s Chris Watson averages 15.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg. At 2-7 in the Mid-Con, Centenary is a half-game ahead of 2-8 Western Illinois for the No. 8 seed in the conference tournament.
Contact Justin Breen at 648-3122 or jbreen@post-trib.com
VU freshman has 'home-court advantage’--Post Tribune
Feb. 2, 2006
By Steve T. Gorches / Post-Tribune staff writer
To say Aimee Litka’s first season as a member of the Valparaiso women’s basketball team has been challenging would be a huge understatement.
But if she really needs some quiet time, she can just head back home to the Mishawaka area to the backyard of her parents’ home.
That’s where a full basketball court — 94 feet long and 50 feet wide in the college and high school game — is located. After all, when Litka is away from basketball, she needs to think about, well, more basketball.
“I’m always thinking about basketball,” she quipped recently on an off day without practice at the ARC.
Her dad built the concrete court in 1979. Litka’s 23-year-old brother, Casey, runs a local league on the court. They also hold a tournament at the end of the league season with the whole family on hand to watch the competition.
“It’s really nice to walk in your backyard and step onto a basketball court,” Litka said.
The unique aspect of her family’s home impressed VU coach Keith Freeman.
“It signifies that she comes from a family that cares so much about the sport,” he said.
Besides Litka’s family providing competition for her on the backyard court, they provide a great support group as she winds her way through the trials and tribulations of being a freshman on an NCAA basketball squad.
“They’re my biggest fans and try to come to as many games as possible,” she said, with older sisters Cortney, 26, and Ryanne, 25, among that family support.
“My brother and I are really close. We would play against each other or he would go outside and rebound for me.”
Freeman has developed a habit of recruiting players who have success at the high school level.
Launa and Leah Hochstetler were members of a high school state champion in Ohio.
Mayella Kuikhoven was a member of the national champion club team twice in the Netherlands.
Litka was no exception at South Bend St. Joseph’s.
She was part of the Class 3A state championship team last year, as the Indians defeated Corydon Central 70-57 in the final. Litka had 21 points and seven rebounds in the game.
That title was preceded by a regional title in 2004 and a semistate title in 2003 before St. Joe’s lost to Beech Grove in the state championship.
“Coming from programs that are good and have won a lot, the players have to compete, not just in games but in practice,” Freeman said. “They’re competing every day. It adds to how you look at things daily.”
Going from a main cog on a state championship squad to a role player off the bench in college has been tough for Litka.
“I was always a starter and on the floor most of the time,” she said. “It takes a little effort to accept a different role. As the season goes on, you accept it more.”
Litka has managed to play long enough in some games to show her talent hasn’t been wasted.
Her high-water mark was 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists at Oakland on Jan. 2.
In addition to less playing time, she’s had to get used to playing Freeman’s brand of defense. Actually, any defense is a change from the high-powered offense at St. Joe’s.
“In high school, we didn’t focus as much on defense with a very talented team on the offensive end,” she said. “It was a difficult transition for me. I really try to focus on my defense in practice.”
And that could lead to more playing time during key moments in games.
Contact Steve T. Gorches at 648-3141 or sgorches@post-trib.com
Crusaders hope to stop losing streak--NWI Times
VU men's primer--NWI Times
ORU Men Host Southern Utah on Thursday--UMKC Kangaroos
T-BIRDS CONCLUDE HOMESTAND SATURDAY VS. VALPARAISO--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
CRUSADERS AND GENTS TO TANGLE THURSDAY AT THE ARC--www.valpo.edu
Women's Basketball Heads to Centenary, Hosts IUPUI Monday Night--Western Illinois Athletics