Men's Basketball: A Retrospective look at a season Mav fans forgot
Exclusive Web Update
Jon Green
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: Sports
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The 2007-08 men's basketball season did not bring many expectations for UNO. Picked to finish last in the North Central Conference in a media poll, the Mavericks came in to the season with little attention.
Few could fault the media for their lack of belief in the Mavericks. They had suffered through a 15-16 and a 12-16 season since Kevin McKenna had left for Creighton. The Mavericks had gone a combined 7-17 in the NCC the last two years.
Students on campus, if they ever knew UNO had a basketball team, were more interested in the undefeated football team, or the hockey team whose season had just started.
However, over the off-season Head Coach Derrin Hansen had changed things up at UNO.
He'd installed a new offense. He'd added several players, including brothers Mitch Albers and Tyler Albers, while starters Andrew Bridger and Michael Jenkins had healed up after injuries the year before. He had two seniors, Denny Johnston and Jerry Bennett, ready to lead the team.
Still, as the calendar turned to November, there were still more questions than answers.
As the season began, UNO faced more injuries. A possible scrimmage to show off the team's new weapons to fans, and build some excitement, was scrapped.
The Mavs started the season with a trip up to the St. Cloud State Tournament for two games. UNO won both games, to start 2-0 for the first time in three years. But the two teams they defeated had both had bad years in 2006-07.
Next up two game at home in the UNO Thanksgiving Classic, where UNO again won twice, including a 57 point win in the second game, to go to 4-0 for the first time in four years. But, again, over teams who had losing seasons in the previous year.
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Diana M.
posted 3/25/08 @ 7:59 AM CST
Nice article Jon. I enjoyed the few games I got to join you guys for.
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