Air Force looking for revenge vs. Navy

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 4, 2003 | by MARK FITZHENRY

The set-up is there for the Air Force Falcons to turn today's men's basketball game with Navy into a service academy bragging rights game - if they wanted to.

Nobody associated with the Air Force program, players or coaches, has beaten Navy. The Midshipmen drilled Air Force by 18 last season and have won three straight meetings. Air Force doesn't play Army, so this is it for service academy matchups this season.

Still, Air Force isn't biting. "Go Air Force, Beat Navy" has been replaced by "Go 8-4 by beating Navy."

A victory today at Clune Arena (4 p.m.) would help accomplish the Falcons' bigger goals, like finishing unbeaten at home and posting a strong nonconference record when Mountain West Conference play begins a week from today.

"It just happens that Navy is coming up," senior guard Vernard Jenkins said.

If Air Force wins, it will be the first 8-4 start against a full Division I schedule since 1972-73, and the first 8-4 start regardless of the opposition in 14 years.

"It's a very important game," forward Joel Gerlach said. "It's another step.

"We keep it even keel, but we have something to prove."

Last season in Annapolis, Navy beat Air Force physically, handing the Falcons the second-worst loss in the series' 21-game history.

"I felt embarrassed," Jenkins said. "I was like, 'I can't believe we lost to these guys (by 18). There's no excuse for us losing like that.'"

Air Force expects Navy to again play a physical game inside.

Navy starts three players who weigh as much or more than Air Force's biggest starter, 220-pound center Tom Bellairs.

The Falcons hope to match the Midshipmen's strength while freeing themselves for backdoor layups and 3-pointers. Air Force leads the nation in 3-point accuracy (46.4 percent) and its 11.1 3-pointers per game is second in the country.

Their patient, Princeton-style offense has enabled all five starters to shoot at 50 percent this season. Their stingy defense is fourth nationally in scoring average (55.5 points).

Coach Joe Scott wants to see those trends continue, regardless of the opponent.

"I think it's a big game for us," he said. "If you want to say motivation, the last (three) years we haven't beaten them and all that stuff, I think that's all fine and well and good if it's going to get our guys prepared."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0178 or markf@gazette.com

AIR FORCE VS. NAVY

4 p.m. today at Clune Arena

RADIO: KVOR AM 740

RECORDS: Air Force is 7-4, Navy is 4-8.

COACHES: Air Force's Joe Scott (Princeton, 1987) is in his third season (24-44). Navy's Don DeVoe (Ohio State, 1964) is 175-126 in 11 seasons at Navy and 503-354 in 30 seasons overall.

SERIES: Navy leads 11-10 and has won the past three meetings, including 71-53 last season in Annapolis, Md. Air Force has won seven of the 10 games at home.

SCOUTING NAVY: Navy will play mostly man-to-man and is physical. Senior F Francis Ebong (10.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg) is the Patriot League player of the week. Senior G Jason Jeanpierre leads the team at 13.7 ppg, but senior F Scott Long has led the Midshipmen in scoring three of the past four games. Navy is 0-4 on the road this season; Air Force is 4-0 at home.

- Mark Fitzhenry; The Gazette