AFA coach gives squad B+

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Sep 7, 2007 | by JAKE SCHALLER

Air Force men's basketball coach Jeff Reynolds gave his team a "B- plus" for its performance during its trip to Canada last weekend.

The Falcons went 4-1 against Canadian competition that Reynolds compared to the level of the Big Sky Conference. But Reynolds, who used different starting lineups and different rotations in each of the five games and did not play his veterans at all in the Falcons' lone loss, put more emphasis on his team getting better than winning.

"Very good learning experience," said Reynolds, who took over for former coach Jeff Bzdelik. "Just the opportunity for those kids to bond and for our coaching staff to see what are going to be some of our strengths and what are going to be some of our weaknesses."

Specifically, Reynolds said the team needs to improve its defense and its shooting. However, the Falcons' lower-thanexpected field goal percentage was due in part to playing with a 24-second clock (the teams played International Basketball Federation rules). Reynolds told players the coaching staff wouldn't consider a 24- second violation as a turnover because "we didn't want them taking uncharacteristic, unpracticed shots and if it meant that the shot clock went off and we were still running the offense, so be it.

"But in talking to the kids afterward, no matter what you say to them they can hear the people counting down the clock in the stands," he said.

Air Force turned in its best performance in a 97-67 victory over the University of British Columbia -- the best team the Falcons played on their trip, and a team that beat Boise State the next day, 106-86.

Senior guard Tim Anderson, the lone returning starter, led Air Force against UBC with 24 points, six assists and six steals. Four other players scored in double figures in the game -- senior Erik Kenzik (17), junior Anwar Johnson (15), senior Keith Maren (13) and junior Matt Holland (13).

Reynolds said Johnson stood out during the trip, and he was pleased with the play of Anderson, Holland, Maren and freshman Evan Washington, who has been the most pleasant surprise this fall.

Washington, a 6-foot-4 guard, started in the 67-60 victory over Simon Fraser and scored 12 points. He also started and played 35 minutes in the victory over the University of British Columbia.

"He's not playing like a freshman," Reynolds said.

Notes

Freshman Tom Parks has left and transferred to Sheridan College in Wyoming. Parks was not among the 15 players taken to Canada.