In just his second season, the Cougar men are picked ninth in the nation, according to the 2010-11 Sporting News College Basketball Magazine. Beck this is the first step in getting the men’s basketball program back to the national tournament.
“It really means a lot to the program. We are in the process of re-establishing WNCC men’s Basketball as not only a regional, but a National Power,” Beck said. “We are focused on bringing in championship caliber student-athletes and getting this team back to the NJCAA National Tournament. Being ranked in a national publication like the sporting news is a step in that direction.”
The ranking is compiled by long-time JUCO news writer and Topeka Capital-Journal sports writer Tony Jimenez. Jimenez listed the Cougars in the Top 10 because of Beck’s reputation of recruiting talented players.
“Beck has plenty of reason for optimism with the return of starting point guard Joe Stock and a trio of four-year-school transfers in Hauns Brereton (Northern Colorado), Preston Eaton (Utah State) and Justin Standley (New Mexico State),” Jimenez mentioned in the article.
Beck said he wasn’t totally surprised by the ranking considering he knew the talent that he had coming in.
“For us it was not a surprise. We see the ranking as a nice compliment and a nice starting point,” he said. “At this point that is all it is, a compliment. I like the fact that our guys feel urged to work a little harder and be a little more focused because of the ranking.”
Beck said while it is nice to be ranked, their ultimate goal is the national tournament.
“These guys are hungry, rankings are nice, but getting to Hutch is what everyone is thinking this year,” he said. “We have a great opportunity this season as we have a chance at hosting the conference tournament!”
The Sporting News’ ranks Howard College as the team to beat followed by Midland College, Southeastern Illinois College, Southwest Tennessee Community College and Northwest Florida State. The rest of the top 10 includes Yuba (Calif.) College, Hutchinson Community College, Connors State College, WNCC and East Mississippi Community College.
Beck believes they have the talent to be considered among the elite this year.
“This team is strong, physical, deep and talented,” Beck said. “We have a lot of interchangeable parts. We have the size and strength and I love the team’s toughness and character at this point. We are relatively young, but our chemistry is developing. Because of our depth and speed we will be able to do some things, in terms of our style of play; that we were not able to do last year. I am really enjoying this bunch and get a good feeling about what they can do if they will continue to work on and off the floor.”
Beck said the public will get a chance to see the Cougar men on Oct. 1 with a Cougar Madness after the volleyball game. The official start of practice for junior college basketball teams begins Oct. 1.
“We are gearing up for practice to start Oct 1st, that night we will have a Cougar Madness after the Volleyball game we hope you will come be a part of it. We hope all of you in the community are gearing up to come be a part of something special.”
1 comment:
I am really enjoying this bunch and get a good feeling about what they can do if they will continue to work on and off the floor.
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