Kearney, Neb. - Starting in May 2014, a new feature called "Loper Reconnection" will profile former UNK student-athletes. Student Andrew Hanson asks the chosen Loper a series of questions.

The ninth subject is former basketball standout Mike Hancock. Wrestlers Bryce Abbey and Brian Hagan, Darcie Berry (softball), Justin Coleman (football), Jenni Luke (volleyball), Diane Davidson Rouzee (softball & volleyball), Nick Svehla (men's basketball) and Jade Meads (women's basketball) were previously profiled.

Hancock holds UNK records for three pointers made and steals in a career and was twice named to the All-RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) team, including a first-team selection in 1998.

Name: Mike Hancock
Hometown/High School: Wahoo, Neb./Wahoo H.S.
Years: 1995-98
Sport: Men's Basketball
Current Residence: Wahoo


During the 1996 and 1997 RMAC men's basketball tournaments, the University of Nebraska at Kearney lost back-to-back heartbreakers to rival Fort Hays State in the championship game.

In the '96 season UNK lost three times to the Tigers, including an 85-79 loss in the RMAC championship. Hays went 34-0 that season in winning the national title. In '97, the result was similar. The Lopers fell in overtime, 83-79, with the title on the line.

Then came the 1998 RMAC Tournament. In the semifinal game, the Lopers took care of business and earned a 107-82 win over FHSU, finally earning the elusive postseason win over the Tigers.

The championship game was played in downtown Denver at Metro State against Colorado State-Pueblo.

"We had a big crowd. We had a lot of people go," recalled Mike Hancock, who was a senior guard on the '98 squad. "The band went out. Our Athletic Director, Dick Dull, rolled out the red carpet for us."

Whatever UNK did worked; as the Lopers ran away to an 85-62 victory over Pueblo en route to their first RMAC title in men's basketball.

There was one other factor – the title game was shown nationally on FOX Sports. "Scott Hastings (former NBA player) was calling the game, and I just remember afterwards him interviewing me, he was like 6-10," the 5-foot-11-inch Hancock said.

The road to the RMAC title was not so simple, though.

In high school, Hancock played for Wahoo, a program that he helped guide to more than 100 victories. "I think we lost two games (in high school)," he said. "At the end of the year we were always playing for a state title.

"I thought we'd win national titles. My freshman year we went 19-8, we didn't even make the NCAA tournament."

UNK made progress the next year, making the NCAA Central Regional held in Hays, Kan.

"I had one of the best point guards in Kenya Crandell. If he hadn't hurt his knee his senior year (in '96) I think we could have made a deep run," Hancock said. "It was cool though because they hadn't gone to the NCAA tournament for a few years. They were still making that transition from NAIA to Division II."

It was at this point that Hancock also transitioned from the two guard to the point guard spot after his high school and then college teammate, Greg Hain, suffered a back injury.

From that moment, he adapted his game. He was still a scrappy defender who could shoot the lights out of a gym, but he was also dealing the ball around more. By the end of his career Hancock dished out nearly 400 assists.

Throughout his career, though, Hancock was known for excelling at two things – 3-pointers and steals, UNK records he still holds today.

"I started shooting at a young age. I wanted to do something that put me ahead of the rest, something that not a lot of people could do. I played a lot of basketball," Hancock explained. "When I got to college I learned that I had to shoot quicker. I was only 5-11. I developed ways to create space and get my shot off quicker."

His senior season he knocked down 92 threes, still a school record, on UNK's run to the RMAC title, which put his career tally at 285.

Hancock wasn't the only on player the roster who could shoot. Matt Kaminski, who came in as a freshman during the 1995-96 season alongside Hancock, finished his career as a 45% 3-point shooter. Kaminski ranks third on the all-time threes list with 190.

Steals and his defense were the two aspects of Hancock's game that he's most proud of. "I got points off turnovers playing defense," he said.

"I knew most of the RMAC officials and I'd always look at them and say, 'Remember I've got the quickest hands in the conference,'" said Hancock. "You might think I'm fouling them, but it's just quick hands. I could pop a ball out of anybody's hands. If you put a ball in front of me it was mine."

Hancock picked opposing players' pockets almost as often as he made three's. His quick hands led to 271 career steals, which translated to offense for the turned-point guard.

The '98 team won the Lopers' first RMAC Tournament title. The 2006 team followed suit, bringing UNK their second crown.

This week, the 2014 men's basketball team has a chance at history by bringing home the Lopers' first Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championship.

"Conference titles are a big deal," Hancock said. "You win the conference title and you're in (to the NCAA's."