Newcomers Everywhere (submitted by Rob Broussard, Assistant Athletics Director -Media Relations, 9/11/08)
I had a chance to spend the last couple of afternoons with the 2008-09
men's basketball newcomers, getting biographical information on them
for the website and 2008 media guide. It took more than one afternoon
because there are so many of them...11 total!!!
One thing is for sure about the UNO basketball program: It is head coach Joe Pasternack's ship. I am certainly no expert when it comes to coaches, but I have always felt it unfair when fans criticize them in the first years of their tenure. Coaches need time to make their mark on a program. They are generally bringing in new schemes, new philosophies and ? of course ? new players. And until they have their entire system ? and players -- in place, how can people on the outside knowingly say the coach can or can't run a program?
It usually takes about four years for them to have everything in place. But, just in year two, Pasternack and his staff have brought in 12 of the 14 players currently on the roster. They'll be very young this year, but the staff is obviously getting ahead of the game as far as getting their system going.
The players are currently going through individual workouts, so it is hard for the untrained eye to tell how good the team will be. It is obvious, though, about one thing the coaches looked for in its 2008 recruits: Character.
As a group, these guys handle themselves with a lot of class. It was “yes sir, no sir,” to all of the questions I needed to ask them ? making this 33-year old feel very old. The interesting thing to me is we asked each newcomer what player would surprise people this year, and we got a lot of different answers. This team really seems like it will be very coachable, fun to be around and even more fun to watch develop.
The 2008 season will be here before you know it. Make sure you get your season tickets by calling 504-280-GAME.
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