Men's basketball opens season at AT&T Jamboree in Anchorage
November 7, 2012
Jamie Foland
474-6807
The Alaska men's basketball team will open the 2012-13 season this weekend as it travels South to Anchorage to take part in the AT&T Jamboree, hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage, at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.
The Nanooks first take on Colorado State-Pueblo on Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a Saturday match-up against Colorado Christian at the same time.
“Pueblo and Colorado Christian both play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, which I think is very similar to the GNAC,” head coach Mick Durham said. “It has had national champions out of that league in the past and has good depth from top to bottom, so it's a couple great match-ups.”
Durham is entering his second year at the helm and even though the 'Nooks went 5-23 overall year ago with a 2-16 mark in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, the outlook is bright as the veteran skipper has brought in a lot of talent with previous college playing experience.
“We think we've have an excellent preseason through conditioning and three weeks of practice,” Durham said. “We're ready to get on the court and find out where we're at and what we need to work on. I like a lot of things about the group I have, the changes we've made and what they have added.”
Alaska returns three starters in senior Dominique Brinson (Juneau, Alaska) and juniors Sergej Pucar (Belgrade, Serbia) and Stefan Tica (Belgrade, Serbia). The squad welcomes in 13 newcomers, including seven transfers from either an NCAA institution or junior college. The returnees made up 56-percent of the team's scoring from a year ago and 36-percent of the rebounding.
Game #1: Colorado State-Pueblo vs. Alaska – Friday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. (AKST)
Important Link: LIVE STATS
The ThunderWolves went 13-13 a year ago and are led by second-year head coach Ralph Turner. Pueblo was selected to finish sixth of 14 in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. It returns three starters from last year's squad in Arden Dennis, Bryse Velasquez and Ryan Arel. Dennis and Velasquez were both named to the RMAC Preseason All-Conference Team. The ThunderWolves lost Andre Martin and Ty Trahern, who were both members of the All-RMAC Second Team in 2011-12.
Game #2: Colorado Christian vs. Alaska – Saturday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. (AKST)
Important Link: LIVE STATS
The Cougars went 4-24 last season and are led by second-year head coach Kevin Lubbers. CCU was predicted to finish 14th in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Like Alaska, CCU did some house cleaning with the addition of six transfers. Each of the newcomers with previous college experience are expected to fill pivotal roles and add depth to the Cougars.