12-15MEN

UWF 90, CSU 85

This was the UWF home opener!

UWF plays a tough schedule and will go as far as Alaska to confront a challenging opponent. This will make a coach cringe. The Argos don't taste home cooking for their first 8 games! They started off with Division I opponent UCF from Conference USA, That team happens to be 7-0. The Argos next went to Alaska to compete in the Alaska Invitational. They traveled to Alabama for 2 games in the Coca Cola Classic. They've gone 3-5 in this grueling schedule. They didn't outscore every opponent but they emerged as winners each time.

Some coaches will schedule North Cupcake A & M and the South Campus of The Little Sisters Of The Poor to pad their records. UWF's "We'll play anyone, anywhere" approach will make them a better team. Knowledgeable fans get this.

Coach Bob Stinnett calmly instructs his players during the closing minutes of a tense game.

The great coaches are teachers. Krzyzewski, Huggins, Auriemma, Pitino and Summitt are vociferous during games. That's such a small part of what they do. Like the Bobby Knights, John Woodens and Phog Allens of the past, coaches create their success in practice sessions. They are compared to generals. Comparing sport to war is ridiculous but on its own level, coaching is similar to command. The good commanders prepare their troops. Instruction, repetition and inspiration—it all takes place before the contest. Once it starts, the successful coach thinks on his feet and adapts to the changing conditions. UWF has that great combination of a veteran coach (you don't become a veteran coach without being good at your craft) who CAN coach and excellent, intelligent players who can BE coached.

The modern game is tipped one way or the other by breaks when you have great programs colliding. UWF is in good hands and the community is well represented. There is growing parity in the upper divisions of the NCAA. That is why a CSU can beat an Auburn of the SEC and lose 2 games to UWF. There are just more great players today. There are more great high school programs feeding players to the top programs in Division I and Division II. Summer leagues also develop prospects. This isn't your grandfather's basketball. These guys can play!

A "no-look" pass!

Uh, can we say vertical leap...on a jump shot?

Marquis Mathis scored 22 points and had 7 rebounds!

Basketball players weren't the only skilled athletes at the game!

Jamar Moore scored 23 points and had 15 rebounds. I saw more than that. Late in the game he suffered a cramp. Anyone who has ever had a cramp just winced. People drown sometimes when they get cramps while swimming. Moore could barely run but he got back on "D" and managed a key rebound, jumping on one leg. He hobbled to the bench, got quick treatment, and was back in the game!

ALL143 PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME