Post by bluehaze on Dec 30, 2004 6:44:48 GMT -5
www.news-record.com/sports/college/wake_aggies_bkb_123004.htm
Despite losses, Aggies keep positive attitude
12-30-04
By Rob Daniels Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- And still they rise.
The N.C. A&T men's basketball team still has a bad record (1-10) and still is having trouble scoring points. But with apologies to Maya Angelou, the Aggies keep getting back on the court, the bus and the plane to absorb whatever awaits them. That means punishment in some cases and -- they hope -- learning in all.
Having played in seven states beyond North Carolina's borders, the Aggies have seen America and lived to tell about it. Tonight, they go to Wake Forest, just one county away, but in an entirely different basketball world. And they hope to show the improvement that is reflected in some columns.
"We know it's going to get better sooner or later," senior guard Steven Koger said.
Even though he made the schedule, which has taken A&T to New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia and Nebraska in nonleague play, coach Jerry Eaves is largely responsible for the Aggies' ability to tolerate matters. There are no grand pronouncements about urgency or victory just yet.
"Our coach has explained the business of basketball to us," Koger said. "Some of the games, we're just going in to compete, to get ourselves prepared for the conference, because that's what it's all about: winning the conference."
That is still a distant goal for the Aggies, who won three league games a year ago. But Eaves doesn't mind the short-term pain for the long-term gain.
"Playing lesser opponents and getting wins is false," Eaves said. "There is a time for that. Next year, I will probably play one or two Division II or Division III teams. Wins, but numbers are deceiving."
Furthermore, it's easier to keep your head up when it's not getting bashed in as badly. Last season, A&T had lost to UNC Charlotte 102-39 and to VCU 105-51 by this point.
As they entered the game at Wake, also played Dec. 30, they were surrendering 87.4 points a game on 53 percent field-goal shooting. Things got a little easier in MEAC play, but not enough.
"Last year, we stopped believing in our teammates," sophomore guard Sean Booker said. "Stopped playing together. It was more of a one-on-one team. We didn't really stick together. This year we've got some new athletes who can go with us. We have bonded together and become a stronger team."
The Aggies have cut the points allowed to 75.8 and the field-goal shooting to 47 percent. Opponents are committing 20 turnovers a game.
"It raises our confidence," Booker said. "If we can press these ACC, Conference USA, top-10 teams, we feel that in the MEAC we should get more steals in the press."
Offensively, the Aggies are still in a funk, having hit the 70-point mark just once. But there's evidence of improvement there, as they've had assists on 53 percent of their baskets. That number was around 40 percent a season ago.
"For one, we're a team now," center Jeff Alvis said. "We don't mind passing the ball, sharing the ball, having other people take shots. We know our roles. We don't mind Sean Booker getting this many shots or Steven Koger getting this many shots. If I get the rebound, I'll get my shots that way. We're at least 30 points better than last year's team."
A&T trailed Nebraska by one point at halftime and led Tulane 44-42 with 10 minutes left. The Aggies were down only a dozen at Louisville at the break.
Soon, they hope those halves become full games.
"You have to earn your success," Eaves said. "I really feel good about the conference, about winning seven or eight games."
Despite losses, Aggies keep positive attitude
12-30-04
By Rob Daniels Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- And still they rise.
The N.C. A&T men's basketball team still has a bad record (1-10) and still is having trouble scoring points. But with apologies to Maya Angelou, the Aggies keep getting back on the court, the bus and the plane to absorb whatever awaits them. That means punishment in some cases and -- they hope -- learning in all.
Having played in seven states beyond North Carolina's borders, the Aggies have seen America and lived to tell about it. Tonight, they go to Wake Forest, just one county away, but in an entirely different basketball world. And they hope to show the improvement that is reflected in some columns.
"We know it's going to get better sooner or later," senior guard Steven Koger said.
Even though he made the schedule, which has taken A&T to New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia and Nebraska in nonleague play, coach Jerry Eaves is largely responsible for the Aggies' ability to tolerate matters. There are no grand pronouncements about urgency or victory just yet.
"Our coach has explained the business of basketball to us," Koger said. "Some of the games, we're just going in to compete, to get ourselves prepared for the conference, because that's what it's all about: winning the conference."
That is still a distant goal for the Aggies, who won three league games a year ago. But Eaves doesn't mind the short-term pain for the long-term gain.
"Playing lesser opponents and getting wins is false," Eaves said. "There is a time for that. Next year, I will probably play one or two Division II or Division III teams. Wins, but numbers are deceiving."
Furthermore, it's easier to keep your head up when it's not getting bashed in as badly. Last season, A&T had lost to UNC Charlotte 102-39 and to VCU 105-51 by this point.
As they entered the game at Wake, also played Dec. 30, they were surrendering 87.4 points a game on 53 percent field-goal shooting. Things got a little easier in MEAC play, but not enough.
"Last year, we stopped believing in our teammates," sophomore guard Sean Booker said. "Stopped playing together. It was more of a one-on-one team. We didn't really stick together. This year we've got some new athletes who can go with us. We have bonded together and become a stronger team."
The Aggies have cut the points allowed to 75.8 and the field-goal shooting to 47 percent. Opponents are committing 20 turnovers a game.
"It raises our confidence," Booker said. "If we can press these ACC, Conference USA, top-10 teams, we feel that in the MEAC we should get more steals in the press."
Offensively, the Aggies are still in a funk, having hit the 70-point mark just once. But there's evidence of improvement there, as they've had assists on 53 percent of their baskets. That number was around 40 percent a season ago.
"For one, we're a team now," center Jeff Alvis said. "We don't mind passing the ball, sharing the ball, having other people take shots. We know our roles. We don't mind Sean Booker getting this many shots or Steven Koger getting this many shots. If I get the rebound, I'll get my shots that way. We're at least 30 points better than last year's team."
A&T trailed Nebraska by one point at halftime and led Tulane 44-42 with 10 minutes left. The Aggies were down only a dozen at Louisville at the break.
Soon, they hope those halves become full games.
"You have to earn your success," Eaves said. "I really feel good about the conference, about winning seven or eight games."
