October 25, 2007

Lopers to Field Young Team in 20908

Four Sophomores Back from 24-7 Squad

      Kearney, Neb. – A question mark is the best way to describe the 2007-08 Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team.

      The Lopers have lost seven top players off last year's 24-7 team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Those departed players took with them 86 percent of the team's assists, 73 percent of the rebounds and 70 percent of the Lopers' scoring.

      Not only must two-time All-American Dusty Jura be replaced but also multi-year starters Chad Burger and James Lane. Co-head coaches Tom Kropp and Kevin Lofton will have just four players -- all sophomores -- with experience in a Loper uniform.

      UNK, which has won 343 games the past 15 years and made six straight NCAA appearances, added seven newcomers in the off season, all being freshmen.

      Thus, the team will suit up no juniors or seniors this winter, probably the first time that has happened in school history.

      "I've been involved with this program as a player or coach since 1971 and we've never gone into a year with this many unknowns," said Kropp. "It's going to be a big growing process for us."

      Sophomores Drake Beranek and Jeff Martin started all 31 games last year and will be the "veterans" of this year's squad.

      "As returning starters,  those guys need to step up and take leadership roles. That's not easy for sophomores to do," said Kropp. "What we've seen in preseason conditioning is that they have taken that role upon themselves. That will be a real positive for us."

      About the only certain thing for UNK is that the program is still respected by its peers. In the preseason RMAC coaches poll, the Lopers were picked to finish second in the East Division.

In the Post

      Over the past nine years or so, UNK has been blessed with four All-American post players; Eric Strand, Nick Svehla, Nick Branting and Jura.

      Making the group even more special was that, for the most part, when one graduated, another one was ready to step in and fill the void.

      In 2008, UNK has no one to replace Jura, who averaged a double double last year (20.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg) and led the team in every key statistical category as a junior.

      Making the situation even tougher is that Jura's running mate the past two years, Burger, has also used up his eligibility.  In three years as a Loper, Burger scored 1,022 points, 34th most in UNK history.

      "We've been able to average 24 wins and seven losses the last twelve years because we've had four All-Americans and some real good supporting players," said Kropp. "This year, we only have four players back. We're in a completely different situation then anything we've had in the past. Every spot is wide open"

      Sophomores Josiah Paker (6-9, 235 lbs.) and Matthew Starks (6-6, 225 lbs.) are the returning post players. Beranek (6-4, 185 lbs.) is moving inside as the team has more depth on the perimeter, thanks to the recruiting class.

      The newcomer that will help in the lane is true freshman Justin McCullough (6-7, 225 lbs.).

       Parker averaged 13 minutes in 25 appearances last year. Blocking 17 shots, second most on the team, he averaged 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

      "Josiah has the skill set and has gotten a lot better," said Lofton. "It's a matter of experience. With the big guys we've had in the past, it was a bit sink or swim. When we put those guys in, they swam. We hope Josiah can do the same."

      As the saying goes in basketball, it takes bigger guys more time to develop. UNK has seen it's All-Americans, like Svehla, instantly become difference makers over night.

      "A lot of time with big guys, a light bulb turns on. During his freshman year, Svehla came on and averaged over 20 points in his final eight games," said Kropp.

      McCullough averaged a double double as a high school senior and it's expected he'll be in the mix right away.

      "He understand angles and plays well with his back to the basket," said Lofton. "He is kind of a grinder and will hold his own on the block."

      Beranek, tabbed as a 2007 preseason All-RMAC selection, was UNK's fourth scoring option (11.1 ppg) behind the three seniors last year. Shooting 52 percent from the field, he also pulled down 4.5 rebounds per game and had more assists then turnovers.

      In the NCAA Tournament, the Ravenna native had 19 points in the South Dakota win and then erupted for 25 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Winona State.

      "Drake finished the year very strong for us. We hope he can step up and be a difference maker this season," said Kropp.

      Starks (Omaha Bryan) played in nine games last year and showed his athletic ability by being one of the RMAC's top high jumpers during the outdoor track season.

On the Perimeter & Along the Wing

      UNK will have a dearth of wing players in 2008, allowing Beranek to move inside.

      Martin (6-2, 185 lbs.) leads the guards after averaging 7.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game as a freshmen. Amazingly, 91 percent of his shots (124 of 135) came from behind the three point line last year.

      "Jeff was forced into that shooters role. We went to Dusty enough inside that we needed someone to step up and hit the shot when they doubled down on Dusty," said Kropp. "Shooting is Jeff's strength but we need him to keep expanding his game."

      In the spring, UNK signed three Nebraska natives that each averaged over 20 points per game as seniors and were considered to be among the state's best prep players.

      The difference for Max Froehlich (6-4, 175 lbs.), Jake Johnson (6-2 190 lbs.) and Ben Klein (6-4, 190 lbs.) is that they'll have a chance to play right  away where previous incoming Loper freshmen had to wait a year or two.

      "With these freshmen, we thought our strength would be on the perimeter so it makes sense to move Drake inside," said Kropp. "He'll have to guard some one that is 6-6 or 6-7 but they'll have to guard him too."

      Froehlich and Arizona native Garrett Lever (6-1, 175 lbs.) will help replace Lane at the point while Johnson and Klein will play more out on the wing.  Lever had a strong prep career in Phoenix and is the son of former NBA great Lafayette "Fat" Lever.

      As a thee-year starter, Lane came up big at the end of many games and finished his career with 946 points and 243 assists.

      "The freshmen have worked hard in the preseason and that is a good sign," said Kropp. "This will be a different level and caliber of basketball. We think, as a team, we will get much better as the year goes along."

      Another Nebraska freshman, Jeremy Cruise (5-11, 170 lbs.), comes in after sinking the third most three pointers (262) in state history.

      "His ability to shoot it may give us a boost in some situations," said Lofton.

      Like Cruise, freshmen Shane Cooney (6-3, 170 lbs.) walked on to the program prior to fall camp starting.

RMAC Race & Schedule

      Last year, with a veteran team, UNK spent nearly the first month of the year on the road. This year, the situation is reversed as the Lopers will play seven of its first nine games in Kearney.

      "If there is a bright spot, it's our schedule," said Kropp.

      In the RMAC, Metro State is an overwhelming favorite but, after that, it's wide open.

      "It's going to be an interesting year in our league. After Metro, there is a pile of about eight teams that could have a good year," said Kropp.

      Colorado Christian and Fort Lewis should challenge the Roadrunners with Mesa State likely to be in the top five.

      Regionally, this is the last year of the North Central Conference and, with that, the final Division II season for South Dakota and North Dakota.

      USD, which hosts UNK Nov. 24, figures to challenge Winona State for the region title. Winona won the national title in 2006 and was national runner up in March.