http://www.themonitor.com/SiteProces...Section=Sports
Broncs looking for signature win
January 25,2007
Wade Baker
Monitor Deputy Sports Editor
EDINBURG — Tom Schuberth knows turnarounds — such as the one he’s trying to flip-flop in his first season at the head of the University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team — aren’t completed over night.
But he does believe the Broncs are ready for conquer the next step.
Schuberth is in search of a signature victory, something he says can be accomplished with a win tonight at fellow Independent North Dakota State in Fargo, N.D, or on Feb. 21 at Big Ten opponent Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.
"I think we’re going to surprise somebody this year. I really think we will," Schuberth said. "I’m hoping we can get that signature win this year, but then again, I fully realize that Rome wasn’t built in a day. But definitely, if we went up there and beat a team like North Dakota State, and I think people in the know basketball wise, would say that’s a huge upset." . . .
UTPA, coming off a 10-day layoff, is led by junior shooting guard Brian Burrell and senior center Colin Lien. Burrell is averaging a team-high 16.1 points per game, with the 6-foot-11 Lien contributing with 11.1 points and a team-high 6-7 rebounds per outing.
Considering that the Bison are dressing just eight players due to injury — the latest being a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear to sophomore center Lucas Moormann (6-9, 252) — they have been playing an uphill battle of late.
North Dakota State, however, is still a dangerous team. The Bison are the only D-1 squad in the nation to have four players scoring over an average of 15 points per game. Andre Smith (16.6 ppg), Mike Nelson (15.9 ppg), Ben Woodside (15.8 ppg) and Brett Wickelmann (15.3 ppg) are doing the primary damage for the Bison, each averaging of 30 minutes per game.
"From the standpoint of being balanced, they are in a league of their own," Schuberth said. "I’m not trying to over hype them or anything like that. I’m just being honest. This, in my opinion, will be our biggest challenge all season."
GAMES NOTES: UTPA senior reserve point guard Larry Sheppard isn’t making the trip after suffering a broken bone in his right hand two weeks ago during practice. … UTPA junior forward Zach Trader missed a practice earlier in the week with illness, but has since returned to action, Schuberth said. … The Broncs won the only prior meeting between the two teams 75-56 during the 1967-68 season. That game was played in Edinburg. … After playing North Dakota State, UTPA plays Saturday at South Dakota State. (read more)
Go State!
Broncs looking for signature win
January 25,2007
Wade Baker
Monitor Deputy Sports Editor
EDINBURG — Tom Schuberth knows turnarounds — such as the one he’s trying to flip-flop in his first season at the head of the University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team — aren’t completed over night.
But he does believe the Broncs are ready for conquer the next step.
Schuberth is in search of a signature victory, something he says can be accomplished with a win tonight at fellow Independent North Dakota State in Fargo, N.D, or on Feb. 21 at Big Ten opponent Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.
"I think we’re going to surprise somebody this year. I really think we will," Schuberth said. "I’m hoping we can get that signature win this year, but then again, I fully realize that Rome wasn’t built in a day. But definitely, if we went up there and beat a team like North Dakota State, and I think people in the know basketball wise, would say that’s a huge upset." . . .
UTPA, coming off a 10-day layoff, is led by junior shooting guard Brian Burrell and senior center Colin Lien. Burrell is averaging a team-high 16.1 points per game, with the 6-foot-11 Lien contributing with 11.1 points and a team-high 6-7 rebounds per outing.
Considering that the Bison are dressing just eight players due to injury — the latest being a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear to sophomore center Lucas Moormann (6-9, 252) — they have been playing an uphill battle of late.
North Dakota State, however, is still a dangerous team. The Bison are the only D-1 squad in the nation to have four players scoring over an average of 15 points per game. Andre Smith (16.6 ppg), Mike Nelson (15.9 ppg), Ben Woodside (15.8 ppg) and Brett Wickelmann (15.3 ppg) are doing the primary damage for the Bison, each averaging of 30 minutes per game.
"From the standpoint of being balanced, they are in a league of their own," Schuberth said. "I’m not trying to over hype them or anything like that. I’m just being honest. This, in my opinion, will be our biggest challenge all season."
GAMES NOTES: UTPA senior reserve point guard Larry Sheppard isn’t making the trip after suffering a broken bone in his right hand two weeks ago during practice. … UTPA junior forward Zach Trader missed a practice earlier in the week with illness, but has since returned to action, Schuberth said. … The Broncs won the only prior meeting between the two teams 75-56 during the 1967-68 season. That game was played in Edinburg. … After playing North Dakota State, UTPA plays Saturday at South Dakota State. (read more)
Go State!
Comment