The Battle for Fifth

Heading into Saturday’s Mountain West Conference men’s basketball games, Air Force is tied for fifth place in the league with Utah and TCU (all three teams are 6-7 in conference play).

Moving into fourth place is unlikely for Air Force as San Diego State resides there with an 8-6 record and a game in hand. The Falcons face the Aztecs in both teams’ regular season finale, but San Diego State plays host to Colorado State (winless in league play) on Saturday. The Aztecs should wrap up at least fourth place with a victory over the Rams.

A slide all the way into eighth is impossible. Even if Air Force loses its final three games and Wyoming (in eighth at 4-10) wins both of its last two games, including a tilt at BYU, the teams would be tied and the Falcons hold the tiebreaker.

So it seems like Air Force will finish between fifth and seventh. Can the Falcons take fifth?

I figure it will take them winning two of three down the stretch and Wyoming upsetting Utah. Here’s how:

The remaining schedules for the teams vying for the fifth spot are as follows:

-Utah: at Wyoming, vs. Colorado State, at UNLV
-Air Force: at BYU, vs. TCU, vs. San Diego State
-TCU: at UNLV, at Air Force, vs. BYU

If we assume that each team will lose games to BYU and UNLV, the top two teams in the league, then here’s how the race looks:
-Utah (6-8) with games at Wyoming and against Colorado State
-Air Force (6-8) with games against TCU and San Diego State
-TCU (6-9) with a game at Air Force

If we further assume Utah will beat Colorado State, then the race comes down to three games:
-Utah at Wyoming (this Saturday)
-TCU at Air Force (next Wednesday)
-San Diego State at Air Force (a week from Saturday)

So if Wyoming upsets Utah, the Utes will finish 7-9. And if Air Force holds serve at home, it will finish 8-8.

Here’s the not-so-funny part for Air Force fans. The Nos. 2-4 seeds (which will face the Nos. 5-7 seeds in the first round of the conference tournament) still are up for grabs. So finishing sixth or seventh could arguably get the Falcons a better first-round match-up.

Confused yet? Me too. I’m starting to think “taking it one game at a time” is not so bad a cliché. We can worry about this a week from now.

Colorado State Review

Yes, Air Force was facing the worst team in the Mountain West Conference – one that had lost 12 straight.

And, OK, the Rams are using some players who probably are better suited for intramurals than Division I basketball.

And, sure, Moby Arena with less than 4,000 fans – and more than a few supporting the Falcons – isn't The Pit or Cameron Indoor Stadium.

But don’t underestimate the importance of Air Force’s 61-59 victory over the Rams on Saturday, especially the way the Falcons won.

Without their best stuff.

Air Force missed 14 of its first 17 3-pointers, including some wide open looks that the Rams almost dared them to take. “I haven’t seen the tape,” Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said a few minutes after the game, “but I would have to say that every shot we took that was a 3 was wide open, they just didn’t go in.”

In addition, Tim Anderson struggled again, going 3-for-8 from the field, and the Rams shot the lights out early, building confidence and momentum with every 3.

But, like a fighter who finds himself a step slow in a bout, Air Force hung on and did its best to minimize the Rams’ punishment. The Falcons saved their energy and, when given openings, unleashed flurries of points to steal momentum.

Yes, it was Colorado State. But good teams don’t lose to cellar-dwelling squads, and they find ways to win even when things aren’t going exactly right. Air Force is trying to become a good team, and Saturday was a big step in the right direction.

Other Thoughts:
-After Saturday’s games, the Falcons are 6-7 in the Mountain West Conference and in sixth place, a half-game in front of TCU (5-7) and a half-game behind Utah (6-6).

The top of the conference is tight too, as BYU (10-2) leads second-place UNLV (9-3) by a game. The Runnin’ Rebels have a half-game lead on surging New Mexico (9-4), which leads San Diego State (8-5) by a game.

So Air Force’s first-round opponent in the conference tourney is still up in the air. I think the best match-up for the Falcons might be the Aztecs and after that – crazy as it sounds – UNLV. The Runnin’ Rebels will play on their home floor in the tourney, but they are the one team Air Force matches up with size-wise. And the Falcons have given UNLV fits of late, winning at home and pushing UNLV to the brink on the road.

Utah is a pretty good possibility as an opponent, and I think Air Force might like another shot at the Utes. The one team I think the Falcons do not want to see is New Mexico.

-Eric Kenzik played his second straight solid game for the Falcons Saturday. He scored just six points in 10 minutes, but his pair of 3-pointers helped keep Air Force afloat in the first half when Colorado State couldn’t seem to miss from the perimeter.

-The game’s top highlight, in my opinion? Andrew Henke trying to throw down a dunk over 7-foot Stuart Creason. Henke didn’t quite jam it, but he picked up the foul and somehow banked the ball in anyway.

-Just eight turnovers for Air Force on Saturday. That means in three of the past five games, the Falcons have made eight or less.

Football Banquet Highlights

Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun had high praise for his 2007 squad at the team’s banquet, held Friday night at The Broadmoor.

Calhoun noted that he played for a baseball team that reached the Little League World Series and an academy team that was ranked No. 5 in the country and that he was on the coaching staff of a Denver Broncos team that went 14-2 in the regular season and played in the AFC Championship game.

But, he said, “I’ve never been part of a group that came as close to maxing out their physical ability than this team.”

Calhoun had praise for each senior who was introduced (see below), including Drew Fowler and Garrett Rybak, who shared the prestigious Brian Bullard Memorial Award (Given to the player who displays the qualities that typified the late Bullard – unselfishness, 110 percent effort, total team commitment and pride in his role on the team whether he’s a starter or not).

Players vote on the Bullard Award. Calhoun said there were about seven players who received six or more votes.

“It’s one of those years you almost could have given it to the whole class,” Calhoun said. “But the two that were chosen were absolutely tremendous selections.”

But while Friday night was all about celebrating the Falcons’ remarkable 2007 season and the standout senior class that helped make it possible, Calhoun also had some thoughts on what many expect to be a down year in 2008.

“Initially, you may have some concerns about this year,” Calhoun told the crowd at the banquet. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to be fine in 2008. ... We’re going to be tough, we’re going to be talented and we’re going to win because we have academy kids.”

Senior Superlatives
Here are some excerpts of what Calhoun said about the players who made up the Class of 2008:

-CB Carson Bird: “Just a remarkable season.”

-QB Shaun Carney: “If there’s one word that sticks out about this kid, it’s ‘leader.’’ ... A guy that’s a winner and a guy that you absolutely want to be the quarterback of your football team.”

-DE Josh Clayton: Provided “great, great leadership” for a defensive front that excelled.

-TE Chris Evans: “’Tremendous attitude and a strong contributor on special teams.”’

-LB Drew Fowler: “You’re around Drew Fowler for a while and right away you find out he’s genuine right until he hits the football field and you find out he wants to put a dent in your nose.”
-S Bobby Giannini: “The last six games of this season, he played as well as any defensive back in the conference. ... A class act and a great young man.”

-C Blaine Guenther: “This guy’s a football player. ... He’s every bit deserving of first-team all-conference.”

-RB/WR Chad Hall: “He always makes sure that if any praise comes his way, he deflects it to the Air Force Academy and his teammates.” Calhoun also described his effort in making two blocks on Jim Ollis’ 71-yard run against TCU: “To me, that’s Chad Hall.”

-WR Devin Hart: “We always talk about complete people, this is a quality leader within the cadet wing.”

-T Dan Holder: “He’s one of those guys you just naturally gravitate towards.”

-LB Julian Madrid: “This is a guy that right away you can tell these guys love having him as a teammate.” He said Madrid “defied any kind of logic” by coming back from his knee injury.

-TB Kip McCarthy: “He’s a guy that his teammates knew was totally dependable.”

-WR Mike Moffett: “He played both Z and X receiver, and he was smart enough and tough enough and dedicated enough that there was no problem at all.”

-T Chris Monson: “He probably made as much improvement as anyone on our football team.”

-T Caleb Morris: “What comes to mind right away is the kind of heart Caleb has.”

-LS Tony Norman: “Not only was he an excellent long-snapper, but any time he was involved in coverage he excelled.”

-TB Jim Ollis: “Perseverance. That’s all there is to it when you talk about Jimmy Ollis. ... The last three games he played as well as any tailback in the country.”

-FB Scott Peeples: “He’s got a quick wit, and he makes you laugh. ... Scott filled a variety of roles.”

-LB John Rabold: “Outside of the bow tie (which Rabold wore to the banquet), I love this guy. Just had a phenomenal season.” When it comes to statistics, Rabold had “hands down the biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball in the conference.”

-LB Austin Randle: “He’s one of those guys that always has a smile on his face until he gets on the football field, which you love.”

-WR Mark Root: “Excellent blocker, caught the ball well, ran excellent routes, smart, tough and another classy kid.”

-CB Garrett Rybak: “He’s a guy you’re exceptionally proud of.”

-LB Aaron Shanor: “One of those guys that really found his stride the last eight games of the season.”

-TB Chad Smith: “Just a tough kid, I don’t know any other way to put it.”

-CB Nathan Smith: “A guy who played a bunch on special teams and always was ready to step in” at cornerback.

-FB Ryan Williams: “No way I could brag about this guy’s toughness too much. ... A great, great football player, and an even tougher kid.”

Other Notes

-Seniors Carney and Fowler will coach at the academy next year. Guenther and Hall – and perhaps Bird – will coach at the prep school.

-During his remarks, academy superintendent Lt Gen John F. Regni noted the deal signed earlier that day by The mtn. and DirecTV. It elicited cheers and applause from the audience. “This is huge for us,” Regni said. “From a recruiting standpoint, it’s big.”

-Calhoun on new assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Matt Wallerstedt, who Calhoun hired to replace the departed Brian Knorr. “He was raised in an Air Force family. His dad was a fighter pilot. His dad flew F-4s. ... A guy that was a tremendous football player. ... He’ll do a great job. We were lucky as can be to get him.”

New Mexico Review

Air Force needed to play close to perfect – and with unmatched enthusiasm – to beat New Mexico on Thursday night.

It did neither.

So the result, predictably, was a 17-point home loss to arguably the hottest team in the Mountain West Conference.

Air Force showed some heart to come back from a double-digit first half deficit, but was sloppy and flat after halftime. Once the Falcons fell behind by double digits again, they became a bit impatient, coach Jeff Reynolds said. They took some shots too early in the shot clock, not allowing the offense to produce better looks.

Other thoughts:
- It’s time to start Andrew Henke in place of Matt Holland.

More for Holland than for Henke.

Let me explain.

Holland has started all 25 of the Falcons’ games this year and has been one of their more pleasant surprises.

But he has played just 9, 5, 10 and 9 minutes in the past four games, respectively. The past three games he’s started the second half on the bench.

Now, I know Reynolds likes the “energy” that Henke provides off the bench. And I know he and Henke recently discussed Henke starting and they decided against it. And I know that Utah’s Johnnie Bryant has had lots of success playing a sixth-man role for the Utes.

But …

On Wednesday night against New Mexico, Holland was replaced by Henke just 1 minute, 13 seconds into the game. Does it do Holland any good to play 73 seconds before getting yanked? I say no.

He’s played just 33 minutes the past four games combined. Two of the Falcons’ other starters played that many or more on Wednesday night. So he’s got to know he’s a starter in name only. And I would imagine that's hurting his confidence.

So wouldn’t bringing him off the bench be the perfect solution? Instead of playing a couple minutes to start the game and then going to the bench for the remainder of the half, why not allow him to provide the energy and spark off the bench? I’ve got to believe that he would feel a whole lot more comfortable with his place on the team if he was playing 5-10 minutes as a bench player instead of a starter. I think it would just change his whole mindset.

And how about playing Holland and Henke at the same time? Henke for one of the starting guards and Holland at the three-spot?

- I remember last year, when the Clune Arena win streak was nearing 30 games, doing a piece on the building and Air Force’s recent success there. Several coaches – including Jeff Bzdelik – noted that home-court advantages start with the players. In other words, no matter how loud or big or quirky or intimidating an arena is, it doesn’t guarantee victories without a good team playing on its floor.

I think that’s part of what’s happened this year. Air Force enjoyed a remarkable home-court advantage when it had its most impressive collection of talent at the academy. Most of those players now are gone. The team is rebuilding, and the players must help rebuild the aura of dominance on their home floor.

But I can’t let the fans off the hook either. Clune had its lowest attendance for a Mountain West Conference game on Wednesday night. Saturday against Wyoming the excuses for poor attendance were the great weather, the three-day weekend and the great skiing conditions in the mountains. What was the excuse Wednesday night? For the second straight game, there was zero electricity from the fans at the start of the game.


- Saturday's game at Colorado State sets up as a major trap game. The Rams are 0-11 in conference but played TCU tough Wednesday night. Air Force can't afford to start slowly or look past this game at all or it will be in big trouble.

Wallerstedt on way to AFA

Air Force will add former Kansas State assistant Matt Wallerstedt to its football coaching staff, academy associate athletic director for communications Troy Garnhart confirmed Tuesday.

Wallerstedt, who spent two years with the Wildcats, will fill the vacancy created when assistant head coach Brian Knorr accepted a position at Wake Forest last week. Knorr coached the Falcons’ inside linebackers.

Wallerstedt played linebacker at Kansas State from 1984 to 1987 and earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1987. He coached linebackers in his two seasons at his alma mater and also served as the Wildcats’ recruiting coordinator during the 2006 season and their special teams coordinator in 2007.

Before returning to his alma mater, Wallerstedt spent two seasons as Akron’s associate head coach, linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. His nearly 20-year coaching career also included a six-season stint at Wyoming (1997-2002).

Wyoming Review

Dateline: Clune Arena, 6:44 left in the first half.

Wyoming’s Eric Platt has just made a 3-pointer, Wyoming is up 25-13, Air Force is reeling, Clune Arena is silent and the Falcons’ three-game losing streak is starting to look like just the beginning of a dreadful end-of-season collapse.

Admit it – no matter how big an Air Force fan you are, if you were watching the game you thought the same thing.

Things looked awful, didn’t they?

There was a good explanation, Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said. The team was emotionally, physically and mentally drained – still – from its loss to UNLV on Tuesday.

Said Reynolds: “Coming into the game today, our staff was extremely concerned about whether or not we had left everything we had in Vegas. I told the guys the other day, and I really believe this, I mean it, I was fortunate enough back in 1981 to coach in the NCAA Tournament at James Madison University. And we played North Carolina in the first round, Michael Jordan’s freshman year, they went on to win it. The final score was 56-52, and up until the Las Vegas game the other night, I don’t know that I’d ever been involved in a game where both teams played that hard. We left it in Vegas. We started the (Wyoming) game out, we had no energy – no energy on the defensive end, no energy on the offensive end. And we were just walking in sand. And there’s really nothing you can do about that, the kids were emotionally and physically drained.”

So how in the world did they turn things around so dramatically and eventually go on to win 72-66?

“We made some substitutions, and we talked about, ‘Hey we’ve got to do something to get our energy going,’” Reynolds said. “And we brought the guys that weren’t a little leg-weary off the bench, and they sort of got going. We made one little defensive change, we just started trapping the ball on the first point-to-wing pass, and it created a little energy for us.”

And that little energy became a lot of energy. Air Force finished the first half on a 19-6 run to take a 32-31 lead into halftime. The Falcons then scored on eight of their first 11 possessions of the second half to take command of the game.

It was a dramatic turnaround.

And necessary.

Had the Falcons lost today, they would have taken a four-game losing streak into Wednesday’s game against a New Mexico team that blew them out earlier this year and now seems to be peaking. After that, a trap game at Colorado State. Then a trip to BYU.

Yikes.

Air Force needed to stop the skid before it got out of control. And it did.

Other thoughts:
-Andrew Henke is starting to have the impact on this team that many expected him to have.

I hate to go cliché on you, but Henke is “playing within himself.”

How’s he doing that?

1. He’s picking his spots carefully and wisely. Henke isn’t forcing up shots just to get them. He’s taking shots in rhythm and within the flow of the offense.

2. He’s begun driving the basketball more frequently. As Reynolds noted after the game, he has added the shot-fake-and-drive and shot-fake, one dribble and pull-up jumper to his arsenal. Teams had recognized how good a 3-point shooter Henke is and were doing everything they could to keep him from getting looks from the perimeter. Now that he has shown an ability to get to the hoop and score from mid-range, he’s opened up some more shots for himself from behind the 3-point arc.

3. He’s not passing the ball with reckless abandon as much. Henke sees the court and the game incredibly well – I’ve even floated the idea that he could play the point next year. But at times that leads him to throw passes that are open but that rate a 10.0 on the difficulty scale. He’s cut back on those, evidenced by his zero turnovers the last two games.

-So apparently the Falcons were feeling a hangover from the UNLV game in the opening 10-15 minutes on Saturday. What was the crowd’s excuse? I’d heard louder and more rowdy groups at chess matches. There’s a push to refer to the arena as “The Chamber.” During the first 15 minutes of Saturday’s game it was more like “The Library.”

And what’s up with Section 8? The only reason that name still works is because there are eight cadets up there for games.

-Good sign that Air Force was able to play so well against UNLV and beat Wyoming with – by his standards – subpar offensive performances by leading scorer Tim Anderson. In the two games, Anderson made just 7 of 23 shots from the floor.

-Evan Washington has run through the wall – if he ever really hit it in the first place. After going 3 for 24 and scoring just 12 points in a five-game stretch, Washington has made 14 of 23 shots in his last three games and scored 32.

Knorr Leaving

Air Force assistant head football coach Brian Knorr is leaving the academy to take a job at Wake Forest, according to a source with knowledge of the move, who asked to remain anonymous.

Knorr, a 1986 academy graduate, also coached the Falcons’ inside linebackers this year and played a key role in recruiting. The 2007 season was his sixth overall at Air Force and his third since returning to the academy from Ohio University, where he coached from 1995 to 2004, the last four years as the Bobcats’ head coach.

Knorr, who lettered three years at the academy as a quarterback, will join Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, who coached at the academy from 1984 to 1994. Grobe and Knorr coached together at Ohio, and Knorr succeeded Grobe as head coach there.