T C U DAILY SKIFF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009

BASKETBALL • 2 0 0 9 - 2 0 1 0

he Horned Frog teams look to break away from the norm past teams have set and achieve new levels of success. The menT hope to find leadership in three seniors and win a Mountain West Conference Championship. The Lady Frogs want to advance deeper into the NCAA Tournament in quest of a national title.

Your seniors have to “lead ... we have three se- niors” this year, last year we had one. So I think there is a little more strength in numbers … Everybody on our team has to be committed … to getting better every day. Jim Christian Courtesy of MEDIA RELATIONS head coach

In order to show ourselves, show our fans and show the country that we’re a good basketball program, we have to “”come out every night and bring it all. Helena Sverrisdottir junior guard

Courtesy of MEDIA RELATIONS AMANDA RINGEL / Design Editor PAGE 2 · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009 DAILYSKIFF.COM BASKETBALL PREVIEW Frogs look to build off last year’s beginning By Josh Davis en guys who’ve been through Staff Reporter it, and they have a better un- derstanding of how hard you In head coach Jim Chris- have to play and how long tian’s first season, Horned you have to do it for.” Frog basketball recovered It won’t be easy, however. from a 1-3 start to move to The Frogs lost their lead- 13-6 and 4-1 in conference ing scorer and locker room play. If only the season could leader (Langford) to gradu- have ended there. ation as well as last season’s The Frogs fell apart down and assist-to-turnover the stretch, losing 11 of their ratio leader Jason Ebie, who last 12 games, all to confer- was dismissed in the spring ence foes including a heart- following a violation of team breaking last-second loss to rules. top-seeded Utah in the con- One of the few bright spots ference tournament quarter- as the Frogs slid down the finals. rankings was the play of Ron- nie “Tuffy” Moss. The Fort “My expectations Worth-raised sophomore here are a put it all together during the conference final three games, scoring 52 combined points in those championship that’s contests. what I want to do Moss knows that this year, SKIFF ARCHIVES for this program he will be expected to step his Senior forward Zvonko Buljan chases down a loose ball against Air Force last year. game up again. He has set a and for the fans.” high standard for his time at season Mountain West first- mary three-point weapon the team’s Web site. Buljan is his offensive system will help Ronnie Moss TCU. teamer Zvonko Buljan and last year, shooting nearly 100 6-9, as well as freshman for- the team score. sophomore guard “My expectations here are Edvinas Ruzgas, are enter- more attempts than the next ward Nikola Cerina. Sopho- “Guys understand a little a conference championship,” ing their senior seasons and closest player and sinking more transfer Cheick Kone bit more of what we’re trying Moss said. “That’s what I should be deadlier than ever. 33 percent. He was also the was expected to claim some to do,” Christian said. “That This year, Christian is want to do for this program Buljan did a little bit of team’s best shooter time at , but a knee in- was a huge emphasis for us this looking to put it behind him and for the fans. Last year, everything for the Frogs last at 79 percent, a category the jury will keep him out for the year — is to be a team that can and lead the Horned Frogs to coach had us out at the Utah year, leading the team in re- Horned Frogs could struggle year. score points, and I made this a smoother season with more game watching Utah cut the bounding by a large margin in without Langford, who With the absence of a true point earlier,if you can’t get to experienced starters. nets down, and that’s some- while averaging 12.3 points shot 209 from the stripe last frontcourt presence, the 70 (points) in (the Mountain “We now have had some thing we really want to do.” per game with a 50 percent year. Buljan was second in at- guards will need to create West,) you’re going to have a guys that have been through But Moss will not be alone. percentage. He also tempts with 87 free throws. more opportunities for open tough time winning.” it, last year we had one guy Moss is one of three re- finished third on the team in Christian said the team looks outside. Virginia Tech Christian said the younger who had been through it in turning players who averaged steals and averaged 35 per- will miss Langford for the junior transfer Hank Thom- players will be involved early Kevin Langford,” Christian more than 10 points per game cent from behind the arc. leadership he brought. as set a freshman record with this year. said. “Now we have six or sev- last year. The other two, pre- Ruzgas was the team’s pri- “Your seniors have to lead,” 113 assists with the Hokies, “We don’t have a lot of Christian said. “You know, but will be sitting out this year players,” Christian said. Zvonko Buljan and we have in accordance to NCAA trans- “When you inherit a pro- three seniors this year, last fer rules. gram that only had three re- $ 5 OFF r'SFF*OUFSOFUGPS$VTUPNFST year we had one. So I think However, another transfer, turning players, everybody r'SFF$BSXBTIXJUI0JM$IBOHF there is a little more strength junior Greg Hill, will be ac- who comes in to the program any single detail r'BTU'VMM4FSWJDF$BS8BTI in numbers ... Everybody on tive this year. Hill came from has a chance to contribute. r8JOETIJFME3FQBJS our team has to be commit- Midland College, which is a That’s why they come here, r(BT1VNQT ted…to getting better every junior college and, according and we’re expecting them to r'SFFXBTIFWFSZUIWJTJU day.” to NCAA rules, he will not do that.” $10 OFF r5SBOTNJTTJPO'MVTIJOH Langford’s graduation also have to sit out a season. Hill TCU had only eight play- two details, etc rIS3BJODIFDL left a major hole in the TCU was a high scorer at Midland, ers who participated in more frontcourt. where he averaged 15.5 points than 21 games last year, and The Frogs will enter the per game. this year could be similar if $PMMJOTXPSUI CFIJOE6OJWFSTJUZ1BSL4UBSCVDLT*)01 t year without a healthy center Christian said despite the the three freshmen on the on the roster, and their tall- backcourt uncertainty, he roster can’t break in to the est players are listed as 6-9 on thinks another year learning rotation. DAILYSKIFF.COM FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009 · PAGE 3 BASKETBALL PREVIEW Lady Frogs already comfortable with entire roster By Wyatt Kanyer bring our game out every night.” Staff Writer While the Frogs return most TCU vs. Cameron of last year’s team, LaFleur said What: Exhibition game Coaches and players alike are they are still making changes to against Cameron looking forward to the upcom- integrate the new four new ad- When: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 ing TCU women’s basketball ditions, guards Hannah Chris- Where: Daniel-Meyer season, which officially starts tian and Ida Tryggedsson, and Coliseum Wednesday when the Lady forwards Starr Crawford and Catch the rest Frogs take on Cameron Univer- Delisa Gross. of the Lady Frog sity in an exhibition game. “I feel like we’ve been trying schedule on The 2009-2010 team features to get (the freshmen) adjusted gofrogs.com talent, experience and depth. as quick as possible so they can There are seven healthy return- become a big part of our team,” ers from last year’s team, six of LaFleur said. “As leaders, we’ve What the Lady Frogs re- who are juniors and seniors. been trying to get everybody ally want this year, though, is The Frogs are led by guards like involved and make sure every- a Mountain West Conference senior Eboni Mangum, who body is working hard every day.” championship. Carter was quick went down midway through The freshmen add an aspect to mention that the women’s the 2008-2009 season with a the team didn’t have much of basketball program has not won torn ACL; senior TK LaFleur last year: bench depth, she said. a Mountain West Conference ti- (14.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), a 2008 All- “We can put anyone in our tle yet, and LaFleur and Sverris- Mountain West Conference lineup in the game and feel com- dottir both said it was the team’s second selection; Helena Sver- ultimate goal heading into the risdottir (15.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg), a “I’m working on end of the season. 2008 All-MWC first team se- To achieve that goal, the team lection; and sophomore guard being more vocal, will have to battle some tough Antoinette Thompson. The star I really wasn’t competition. This year’s non- returner is junior forward Emily much of a vocal conference schedule, much like Carter(11.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), an All- last year’s, which featured teams MWC second team selection. leader last year, I like Maryland, California, Tex- Upperclassmen posts Chantelle led by example. as A&M and Oklahoma State, John (3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Rachel I’ve worked on will be difficult. It also includes Rentschler (7.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) games featuring Oklahoma, and Micah Garoutte (6.1 ppg, being more vocal Minnesota and North Carolina 3.7 rpg) round out the solid core and helping get State. Oklahoma, Texas A&M of veteran leaders. The returners’ everybody on and Minnesota were one, two contributions will be crucial for and 10 seeds in the NCAA tour- the team’s success. the same page.” nament, respectively. LaFleur said she has made TK LaFleur The Frogs beat Maryland significant changes in the way senior guard and California last year, both of she leads. which were No. 3 in the nation “I’m working on being more at the time, but they fell to un- vocal,” LaFleur said. “I really fortable and confident they’ll do ranked Oklahoma State and No. SKIFF ARCHIVES wasn’t much of a vocal leader the things we need to get the job 3 Texas A&M on the road. Senior guard TK LaFleur splits the Utah defense for a layup in 2008. last year, I led by example. I’ve done,” LaFleur said. Sverrisdottir said that doing worked on being more vocal Sverrisdottir said the four well in non-conference games guard Quenese Davis (5.3 apg, position to get that end result.” they’re doing such a great job and helping get everybody on freshmen additions to the team would show the nation that the 2.29 spg). “We want to look back and in the weight room, they’re the same page.” have increased the level of com- team deserves recognition. Utah returns forward Kalee think we’re already at that lim- not only stronger, but they’re Carter said she has also made petition in practice, which has “In order to show ourselves, Whipple (17.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.18 it,” Sverrisdottir said. “We don’t a little quicker.” an effort to improve as a leader. helped the returning players show our fans and show the spg), a 2008 first team All-MWC want to think that we should Ostermann also acknowl- “I’ve been trying to kind of improve. country that we’re a good bas- selection; senior forward Halie have worked harder.” edged the team’s goal to win help everybody out,” Carter “(The freshmen) work really ketball program, we have to Sawyer (7.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.21 Associate head coach Brian the Mountain West Confer- said. “If the freshmen are having hard, and I’m really pleased with come out every night and bring bpg); and Janita Badon(3.2 ppg, Ostermann said the team’s ex- ence championship title. a bad day, I want to be a person how much effort they’ve been it all,” she said. 2.5 apg), who was a spark off the perience would be to its favor. “I think finishing a game they can come to in confidence putting into practice,” Sverris- The Mountain West isn’t bench last year. “There’s a certain comfort lev- out of first last year, the play- to help them out when they’re dottir said. “They’re really phys- much easier. TCU was one of LaFleur said the conference el to knowing what your expec- ers know that we’re close, and down.” ical, and that’s something we three MWC teams in the NCAA is so deep that “any given day, tations are on both ends of the that we want to make that fi- Sverrisdottir said last year’s needed last year.” tournament last year, and they’re you can beat anybody, and any floor,” he said. nal jump to winning a confer- disappointing early exit from Carter said because the team all returning significant con- given day you can be beaten by Offensively, Ostermann said ence title,” he said. the NCAA tournament was a has many good players this tributors. Of those teams, San anybody.” the players are more comfort- For that to take place, Os- learning experience. The team year, the team is competing on Diego State figures to be the But the Lady Frogs are confi- able as the team moves into termann said the team must learned that it must play with a higher level. greatest threat. The Aztecs’ re- dent in their chances to win the its second year using the tri- “build on team chemistry from consistency, she said. The team is focused on being turners include senior guard MWC championship and return angle offense. Conditioning a team standpoint. From a sta- “It was a big experience for all more physical, which has re- Jené Morris (16.1 ppg, 3.33 spg), to the NCAA tournament. has played a role, too, he said. tistical point, we must keep in of us to be in the NCAA tour- quired more effort, Carter said. the 2008 MWC defensive player “(The championship is) some- “From a physical stand- mind how important - nament,” Sverrisdottir said. “I She has made more efforts to of the year, junior forward Paris thing we’re striving for, and it’s point, the returnees have ing is.” think we kind of look back at is improve on the defensive end as Johnson (12.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and what everyone wants,” LaFleur gotten themselves into bet- Also, the team will have to as something that we can learn the team plans to use more man- 1.74 bpg), junior forward Ash- said. “Right now, we’re prepar- ter shape,” he said. “They’re utilize its strengths, which he from, how we have to be mental- to-man defense this season, she ley Duffy (10.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, ing for that moment. We’re put- stronger, they’re playing said are three-point shooting, ly prepared for everything and said. and 2.1 spg), and senior point ting ourselves in the best possible more physical, and because transition and ball protection. Moss works to carry freshman success into second season By Chris Blake nickname. He was born with “I want to improve on being a RONNIE MOSS Staff Reporter a hole in his heart that he still better floor general on the court has and earned the nickname ... and getting my team doing Sophomore point guard Ron- “Tuffy” from his uncle while in what they’re supposed to be do- 10.2 nie Moss changed his commit- the hospital as an infant. ing on the court,” Moss said. Points per game ment from Kent State to TCU The heart did not bother He pleased the coaches with a year and a half ago when Jim Moss as a freshman when he his progress in that very aspect Christian, the previous Kent averaged 10.2 points and 2.1 as- of the game, Prioleau said. 62 State Coach, was hired to coach sists per game as the top scoring “Last year he had to take on Assists for the Frogs. freshman in the Mountain West how we wanted him to play, how Moss, a Fort Worth native, Conference. His scoring average to play Division I basketball, out- said he was glad that he made was also the highest for a Horned side rotations, closeouts, etc,” 42.6 the decision to come home and Frog freshman basketball player Prioleau said. “Over the course Field goal percentage liked the changes Christian had in eight years. of time he’s learned how to ad- made to the program.. A natural left-hander, Moss just and adapt and learn those 2008-2009 season stats “Coach Christian loves some- worked to improve his weaker things, so obviously this year it one that is going to come in and hand over the summer in order makes it easier for him. That’s be a hard-nosed player for him,” to become a more dangerous the improvement that he’s made thing to come for, they will Moss said. “He has our back, and and versatile point guard. and when that happens the game come.” we’re a team and a family.” “I worked on my right hand starts to slow down.” Moss and Christian will try Assistant coach Jean Prioleau and just seeing the floor when I After one year in the program to give fans something to come said Moss exhibited a strong played pick-up games and stuff and the adjustment to college for in both of their second years work ethic as a freshman last like that,” Moss said. “Some days basketball, Moss said winning at TCU. season. I went without shooting the ball a conference championship and “I feel like I have taken on a “(Moss) doesn’t give up,” and just passed, passed, passed playing in front of larger home leadership role through Coach Prioleau said. “Even if things and tried to get my team more crowds are goals of his this sea- Christian because through my aren’t going well on the court he involved.” son. freshman year he guided me ev- doesn’t give up, he plays as hard Moss is not focused on im- “I watch other college games ery step of the way,” Moss said. “I as he can all the time.” proving his individual statistics and I see all the students and I have a feel for what he wants on Coaches and teammates call though. He said his main focus know our students are capable,” the court and what he wants me SKIFF ARCHIVES Moss “Tuffy,” his childhood is to become a better leader. he said. “If we give them some- to do. So it’s just natural instinct.” Sophomore guard Ronnie Moss lays the ball up against Clemson last season.

TRAFFIC TICKETS?

CONTACT The Law Offices of Jim Lollar & Associates We handle traf c tickets, minor drug & alcohol related offenses, assault cases, and warrants.

Of ce Hours: Mon-Fri 2702 W. Berry 8:30 - 1:00 & 2:00 - 5:00 817.921.4433 PAGE 4 · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009 DAILYSKIFF.COM BASKETBALL PREVIEW

DALLAS GENERALS New hoops team an affordable option By Austin Pearson Staff Reporter

So you want to go see some professional basketball but can’t afford a Dallas Mavericks game? There’s a new team in town that can help you quench your bas- ketball thirst. The Dallas Gen- erals will be playing their in- augural season this year in the Courtesy of DALLAS GENERALS American Basketball Associa- ally athletic, he’s got a great at- tion. titude and he works hard ,” said The Generals will pay home head coach Chris Terrell about games at Fair Park Coliseum in Carter. “I think he’s going to be SKIFF ARCHIVES Senior Forward Zvonko Buljan steals the ball from Air Force forward Matt Holland last season. Dallas. Students on a tight col- a big part of what we do.” lege budget can get more bang Carter said students should for their buck with the Gener- check out the Generals for their als. For only $15 a student can brand of basketball and the af- Men’s opponents offer similar tests sit courtside and see some excit- fordable games. ing ABA basketball. “I know how it is to be in col- By Josh Davis Tech. Last year Nebraska SMU, the Frogs holding Texas The ABA has many unique lege,” Carter said. “Pockets can Staff Reporter came to Fort Worth and beat Tech Dec. 8 and a tough road TCU vs. Mid- rules that are different from the be tight at times. We got a won- the Frogs soundly, 62-50, led test at Houston Dec. 23. America Christian NBA’s rules. The 3-D rule gives derful brand of basketball, a lot The Horned Frogs will face by a sharp defensive first half. “I think every game is go- an extra point for a basket made of athletes and a lot of dunks for When: 7 p.m. Nov. 13 several matchups that are The Frogs’ performance in ing to tell us (a lot about this on a before a team crosses an affordable price.” Where: Daniel-Meyer very similar to last year’s with the Nebraska and Louisiana team),” said Frogs’ head coach half-court. Overtime is played Students can relate to the Coliseum six common non-conference Tech games should answer Jim Christian. “Because we for three minutes, and if the players and they are very ap- opponents. two big questions about this have a lot of young players game goes to a second overtime, proachable, he said. For the complete After the Nov. 13 home team. and we have a team that is go- the first team to score 10 points “We’re professional athletes, season schedule, opener against Mid-Ameri- Nebraska returns only ing to try and develop some but we don’t have NBA money,” visit gofrogs.com can Christian, the team will four lettermen this season, confidence. All those games “I know how it is Carter said. “You might catch go to Tempe, Ariz., for the but should still be a talent- are going to be pivotal for us to be in college. one of us at the bar after the opening round of the Pre- ed, well-coached team. The to prepare ourselves to play in Pockets can be tight game.” season NIT. The Frogs will Huskers have a lot of large the league we play in.” Ebie will determine whether The Generals’ first game face Cal State Northridge in young talent, but the Frogs Last year, that league wasn’t this team can be successful at times. We got a is Dec. 5 against the North the first round. should be able to compete. friendly to the Frogs. moving forward, while try- wonderful brand Texas Fresh at Fair Park Coli- Northridge advanced to If TCU wins this early road Luckily for TCU, the con- ing to get the most of forward of basketball, a lot seum. The Fresh play in Fort the NCAA Tournament in test against a sound defensive ference race is open this year Zvonko Buljan and guard Ed- Worth, and the game has been 2009 after a 17-14 season and team, it would be a solid win behind BYU. The Mountain vinas Ruzgas’ final season. of athletes and a billed as the “Metroplex’s Best: returns three starters. The to build on. West coaches selected the Horned Frog basketball is lot of dunks for an Cross-Town Rivalry Series.” The winner will go on to face the Against Louisiana Tech, Cougars to win the confer- at a crossroads, and which affordable price.” Fresh’s home court is at Keller winner of Arizona State-Tex- the Horned Frogs will see ence with 215 total points. path it takes won’t be decid- Central High School. as State. their first low post game Behind them are San Diego ed until the first tip against Brian Carter The Generals also boast two If the Frogs were to win the changer in Magnum Rolle. State (166), UNLV (161), Mid-America Christian Uni- current Dallas Generals and well-known players on their Tempe Regional, they would Rolle, a 6-foot-11-inch cen- Utah (143) and New Mexico versity. former Horned Frog player team. Anthony Miller played advance to the NIT Final ter/forward, averaged 12.2 (141). “I don’t have a master plan,” eight years in the NBA for the Four in New York City Nov. points and 7.2 rebounds per TCU was selected to finish Christian said. “My master wins. Players only have seven Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta 25 and 27. If the Frogs lose, contest last year. If the Frogs’ seventh in the conference, the plan is to keep building our seconds to cross half-court in- Hawks, Houston Rockets and they will play third and fourth smallish team can’t contain same place it ended last year. program to be successful and stead of eight like the NBA. the Philadelphia 76ers. Tauri- games on the home sites of Rolle, they will likely have This season will provide get the right kind of kids in The Generals also feature a an J. Fontenette, also known as the highest remaining teams. problems with similar play- a new set of challenges for it. In that regard, we’re do- former Horned Frog player in “Mr. 720,” played on the AND1 After the tournament, the ers all year. Christian in his second sea- ing that ... I think that we’re Brian Carter. The 7-foot for- Mix-Tape tour and was one of Horned Frogs are scheduled Other schedule highlights son. How the team responds on the right track on moving ward played at TCU from 2001- the first people to ever land a to play at Nebraska before include this year’s edition to the loss of center Kevin towards the goals that we’ve 2003. dunk featuring two full rota- playing host to Louisiana of the SMU game Dec. 2 at Langford and guard Jason developed for ourselves.” “He can run the court, he’s re- tions in the air.

Check out the Skiff for all your Basketball information