Buena Vista set to take on Hawkeyes
By Barry Poe Journal sports writer | Posted: Thursday, November 09, 2006
Buena Vista University's preseason basketball workouts have been a little more intense this season, but for a good reason.
The Beavers of Coach Brian Van Haaften are preparing for an exhibition game at the University of Iowa, set for Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Simply put, it's a dream come true for many of the Buena Vista players.
"A lot of our players grew up being Hawk fans, watching guys like Chris Street, Val Barnes and Luke Recker," said Van Haaften, entering his 11th season of a highly-successful run as BVU coach. "All of them wanted to be those guys someday, but they never got the chance to accomplish that goal.
"For one night, though, they'll have a chance to play on that floor. Our goal, as it is every single game we play, is to go in and play well."
Iowa, which finished 25-9 last season and won the Big Ten Conference Tournament, is playing its only exhibition game against the Beavers. Coach Steve Alford's squad opens the regular season on Monday at home against The Citadel.
Buena Vista, an NCAA Division III affiliate and a member of the Iowa Conference, won its fifth straight conference tournament and played in the national tournament for the fifth straight season in 2005-06.
Van Haaften, a Pella, Iowa, native and Northwestern College graduate, has the best active winning percentage in Division III basketball with a 215-66 overall record and .765 winning percentage. He reached the 200-win plateau in just his ninth season and was the Iowa Conference coach of the year in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
"Iowa has had their camp in Storm Lake for the last 19 years, so we've had a great working relationship with them for a long time," said Van Haaften. "We're very appreciative of Coach Alford for doing this. He didn't have to do this, but he was a Division III coach (Manchester College), so he knows how cool it is for those kids to have a chance to play against a Division I team."
Buena Vista returns three starters and five of its top six scorers from last season. After starting 4-11, the Beavers won 11 of their last 14 games and finished with a 15-14 overall record.
Brian Fogleman, a 6-5, 270-pound sophomore from Manning, Iowa, is the top returning scorer and rebounder at 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. Andre Wagner, a sophomore guard from Omaha Westside, averaged 10.4 points per game. Juniors Jeff Bissen (6-3) and Rahn Franklin Jr. (5-10) join Wagner in the starting back court while Travis Person, a 6-6 sophomore, plays alongside Fogleman at forward.
Iowa brings back two starters and five lettermen, including senior guard Adam Haluska, a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season. The 6-5 Haluska, from Carroll, Iowa, averaged 13.9 points and will serve as team captain this season. Haluska has scored 1,225 career points and has started every game over the past two seasons.
Senior guard Mike Henderson, a former Waterloo East standout and the other returning starter, will miss three to six weeks after suffering a hand injury in practice. Henderson suffered a fracture to the pinkie finger on his right hand on Oct. 30 and underwent surgery two days later.
The Hawkeyes' starting lineup for Friday's game includes a pair of transfers from Tyler (Texas) Community College, junior Kurt Looby and Justin Johnson, a 6-foot-6 sophomore. The 6-10 Looby used his redshirt season in 2005-06 at Iowa while Johnson is in his first season as a Hawkeye.
Tony Freeman, a 6-1 sophomore guard, was named the team's newcomer of the year last season, playing in 33 games while starting four. Seth Gorney, a 7-foot, 245-pound junior, saw action in 22 games.
"They're going to be a little taller and a little more physical, but they don't have any more heart than we do," said BV's Van Haaften. "This is a tough group of guys who really like each other, so we're looking forward to seeing what we can do."
Van Haaften, depending on how the game progresses, plans to give as many players as possible a chance to take the floor.
Iowa's roster also includes Dan Bohall, a 6-4 redshirt freshman from Sioux City East. One of Buena Vista's top reserves is Matt Cleveland, a 6-8 sophomore from Bishop Heelan.
While Buena Vista and Iowa prepare for the Friday contest, Wayne State lost 55-41 to Iowa State on Monday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Iowa State is coached by former Wayne State mentor Greg McDermott.
The Beavers of Coach Brian Van Haaften are preparing for an exhibition game at the University of Iowa, set for Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Simply put, it's a dream come true for many of the Buena Vista players.
"A lot of our players grew up being Hawk fans, watching guys like Chris Street, Val Barnes and Luke Recker," said Van Haaften, entering his 11th season of a highly-successful run as BVU coach. "All of them wanted to be those guys someday, but they never got the chance to accomplish that goal.
"For one night, though, they'll have a chance to play on that floor. Our goal, as it is every single game we play, is to go in and play well."
Iowa, which finished 25-9 last season and won the Big Ten Conference Tournament, is playing its only exhibition game against the Beavers. Coach Steve Alford's squad opens the regular season on Monday at home against The Citadel.
Buena Vista, an NCAA Division III affiliate and a member of the Iowa Conference, won its fifth straight conference tournament and played in the national tournament for the fifth straight season in 2005-06.
Van Haaften, a Pella, Iowa, native and Northwestern College graduate, has the best active winning percentage in Division III basketball with a 215-66 overall record and .765 winning percentage. He reached the 200-win plateau in just his ninth season and was the Iowa Conference coach of the year in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
"Iowa has had their camp in Storm Lake for the last 19 years, so we've had a great working relationship with them for a long time," said Van Haaften. "We're very appreciative of Coach Alford for doing this. He didn't have to do this, but he was a Division III coach (Manchester College), so he knows how cool it is for those kids to have a chance to play against a Division I team."
Buena Vista returns three starters and five of its top six scorers from last season. After starting 4-11, the Beavers won 11 of their last 14 games and finished with a 15-14 overall record.
Brian Fogleman, a 6-5, 270-pound sophomore from Manning, Iowa, is the top returning scorer and rebounder at 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. Andre Wagner, a sophomore guard from Omaha Westside, averaged 10.4 points per game. Juniors Jeff Bissen (6-3) and Rahn Franklin Jr. (5-10) join Wagner in the starting back court while Travis Person, a 6-6 sophomore, plays alongside Fogleman at forward.
Iowa brings back two starters and five lettermen, including senior guard Adam Haluska, a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season. The 6-5 Haluska, from Carroll, Iowa, averaged 13.9 points and will serve as team captain this season. Haluska has scored 1,225 career points and has started every game over the past two seasons.
Senior guard Mike Henderson, a former Waterloo East standout and the other returning starter, will miss three to six weeks after suffering a hand injury in practice. Henderson suffered a fracture to the pinkie finger on his right hand on Oct. 30 and underwent surgery two days later.
The Hawkeyes' starting lineup for Friday's game includes a pair of transfers from Tyler (Texas) Community College, junior Kurt Looby and Justin Johnson, a 6-foot-6 sophomore. The 6-10 Looby used his redshirt season in 2005-06 at Iowa while Johnson is in his first season as a Hawkeye.
Tony Freeman, a 6-1 sophomore guard, was named the team's newcomer of the year last season, playing in 33 games while starting four. Seth Gorney, a 7-foot, 245-pound junior, saw action in 22 games.
"They're going to be a little taller and a little more physical, but they don't have any more heart than we do," said BV's Van Haaften. "This is a tough group of guys who really like each other, so we're looking forward to seeing what we can do."
Van Haaften, depending on how the game progresses, plans to give as many players as possible a chance to take the floor.
Iowa's roster also includes Dan Bohall, a 6-4 redshirt freshman from Sioux City East. One of Buena Vista's top reserves is Matt Cleveland, a 6-8 sophomore from Bishop Heelan.
While Buena Vista and Iowa prepare for the Friday contest, Wayne State lost 55-41 to Iowa State on Monday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Iowa State is coached by former Wayne State mentor Greg McDermott.
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