The sparkling record through 14 games is only part of the story at Northern Kentucky University. In case you missed it, the Norse are now 11-3 after dispatching IUPUI by a 92-77 score Friday night in the Horizon League opener for both teams.
Drew McDonald finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead NKU, which improved to 9-0 at BB&T Arena this season. The Norse — with five players scoring in double figures — shot 53.7 percent from the field and are now 32-4 at home since the start of the 2016-17 campaign.
But the real story is how NKU has forged this 11-3 start — the best since transitioning to Division I status in 2012-13 — and overcome a number of obstacles to do such. Consider that the roster is filled with newcomers still adjusting to the NKU system. And don’t forget the massive loss in talented personnel from a 22-10 squad that captured the Horizon League regular-season title.
NKU’s Drew McDonald challenges 7-foot-1 center Ahmed Ismail (15) of IUPUI during the first half of Friday’s game. McDonald finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)
My take on that question is a resounding yes. Absolutely. Without a doubt, with much more possibly still to come. But it’s what happened before preseason practice ever began that makes the 11-3 record at NKU even more remarkable.
Back in the spring, NKU lost a pair of important underclassmen — Carson Williams and Mason Faulkner — as a result of transfers. Williams, a former Kentucky Mr. Basketball, had emerged as a solid inside performer and double-figure scorer during his two years at NKU, while Faulkner appeared destined to step in as the starting point guard this season.
Williams is now at Western Kentucky, while Faulkner is at Western Carolina. Both players are sitting out the required year as transfers before becoming eligible to play during the 2019-20 season.
In addition, NKU lost starting point guard Lavone Holland II and starting forward Jordan Garnett to graduation. It really appeared this might be a major rebuilding season at NKU.
Think again.
Much of the success centers around McDonald, who’s as skilled in the interview room as he is on the court. And that’s saying something, given the fact McDonald averages 18.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
“It’s about sticking to our core values and relying on each other every game,” said McDonald, who has collected double-doubles in 15 of his last 21 games against Horizon League opponents. “You saw the toughness tonight when Tyler (Sharpe) is injured right before halftime, and then he’s out there to begin the second half. The coaches do a great job of preparing us for every opponent, and it was the same way tonight against a very good IUPUI team.”
Here’s a prediction: McDonald will eventually be a college head coach, if he chooses that career path. He has the total package of basketball I.Q. and public relations skills that any athletic director or president seeks when on the hunt for a head coach. McDonald also has a good sense of humor, though he needs to polish up on his “I’m going to Disney World” routine to accommodate certain light-hearted questions from the media. (See link from earlier this season)
It’s not just a one-man show at NKU. Sharpe continues to amaze with his toughness and ability to hit clutch 3-pointers. How tough is Sharpe? He took a nasty fall in the first half Friday night and was bleeding from a cut on the side of his head. It appeared he was finished for the night as he walked slowly to the locker room with medical personnel carefully watching him.
NKU’s Dantez Walton battles IUPUI for a rebound on Friday night. Walton scored 12 points and added three rebounds. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)
“I got seven staples (to stop the bleeding) at halftime,” said Sharpe, a graduate of Bullitt East High School. “I knew I didn’t have a concussion, so I talked with the doctor and was pretty sure I could go in the second half.”
McDonald wasn’t surprised to by Sharpe’s quick return. “When I saw the staples in his head, there was no doubt in my mind that Tyler was going to play,” he said. “It epitomizes one of our core values — toughness.”
Sophomore guard Jalen Tate is arguably the best defensive player in the Horizon League, and he’s emerged as a solid scorer in big moments. If Tate had not missed NKU’s 76-74 road loss at Eastern Kentucky earlier this month with an injury, the Norse would probably be 12-2. I was there for the game in Richmond, and Tate would have made a huge difference in the outcome. But that’s another story.
Don’t forget graduate transfer Zaynah Robinson, who has stepped in at the point and emerged as a big-time playmaker and clutch scorer when needed. And junior forward Dantez Walton is without question the most improved player in the Horizon League and a definite candidate for postseason honors.
NKU has displayed a unique toughness while pulling out close wins over Northern Illinois (twice), Miami (Ohio), Coastal Carolina and Manhattan this season. That’s a tribute to Brannen, who constantly stresses defense as his team’s identity. It’s paid off in big-time fashion when NKU has struggled offensively this season, as has the toughness associated with that defensive philosophy.
Brannen, of course, guided NKU to the Horizon League Tournament championship in 2017 and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The former Newport Central Catholic star and Marshall University standout is never completely satisfied after a win, which possibly explains why NKU continues to grind out victories with late-game toughness. Lots of film study. Tons of preparation. Making practice an essential part of being successful during the game. Detailed scouting reports, and key in-game adjustments.
In short, the NKU players and coaches outwork the opposition — both on the court and in the film room.
“We’re really excited to start conference play with a win against one of the premier teams in our league in IUPUI,” Brannen said. “I was really impressed with the way we played in the first half to get a big lead like that against a very good basketball team.
IUPUI and NKU players show concern for Tyler Sharpe (15) after the junior guard took a nasty fall in the first half Friday night. Sharpe returned in the second half and finished with 16 points. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)
Remember what I said about Brannen never being completely satisfied after a win? His team actually owned a 51-30 halftime cushion and was in complete control of the game. But Friday night’s press conference was yet another example of his dogged pursuit of excellence in every phase of the game, and why his program is 31-10 against Horizon League foes since the start of the 2016-17 season.
One of the words NKU players and coaches constantly emphasize is “ascending” at the right time when talking about season goals. At 11-3, there’s still plenty of work to do and lots of room for improvement for the Norse.
And that has to be a scary thought for the other nine teams in the Horizon League.
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport
