Bucknell Basketball Team Crosses New Frontier With Trip to San Diego

It’s quite understandable if San Diegans aren’t too familiar with the Bucknell basketball team.

They’ve been playing basketball at this small private school in Lewisburg, Pa., since 1895, but the game against San Diego State in the opening round of the Holiday Bowl tournament Sunday in the San Diego Sports Arena will be its first California appearance.

Bucknell played the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque in 1985-86, but that’s as far west as its been.

So, here’s a little background on the Bucknell basketball program, which plays in the East Coast Conference with Drexel, Lafayette, Lehigh, Rider, Towson State, Delaware and Hofstra.

Bucknell is where Jim Valvano, of North Carolina State fame, went 33-42 from 1972-75. Valvano was replaced by Charlie Woollum, the winningest coach in the school’s history (197-144 in 13 seasons).

Bucknell is 5-2 this season with victories over St. Francis, Susquehanna and a 96-93 road victory over Duquesne Monday. But Bucknell lost four starters from last season’s team, which went 22-9, won the ECC postseason tournament and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time.

In a nationally televised first-round NCAA game in Atlanta, Bucknell led Georgetown for much of the first half before losing, 75-53. “We were super emotionally charged,” Woollum said. “For 17 minutes we were on top, but we burned ourselves out.”

Under Woollum, Bucknell has averaged 20 victories for the past five years and 16 for the past 12. From the 1982-83 season through the 1985-86 season, Bucknell suffered two overtime losses in the finals of the ECC tournament and twice lost by two points in the semifinals.

“I think people in the business respect our program,” Woollum said. “But we did gain exposure to the public through the NCAA.”

They gained exposure last year but lost experienced players. And recruiting can be tough at Bucknell, where academic standards are high and scholarships are based on financial need. There are no athletic scholarships, but Woollum said most of the players receive some financial aid.

Therefore, rebuilding can take time. In the ECC coaches’ preseason poll, Bucknell was picked to finish in a tie for seventh with Towson State. Bucknell starts four juniors and one sophomore and does not have much depth.

“I’m pleased with the kids to this point,” Woollum said, “but we’re far from being a good basketball team.”

Bucknell is led by junior center Mike Butts (6-feet 10-inches, 202 pounds), who was slowed by a back injury last season. This year, Butts is averaging 18 points and 12.3 rebounds a game and coming off a career highs of 36 points, 18 rebounds and 7 blocked shots against Duquesne.

“People probably don’t think he’ll be as good as he is,” Woollum said. “He’s not a humongous type of guy. He’s not a muscle-bound guy, but he plays hard.”

While Butts is Bucknell’s main inside threat, sophomore guard Mike Joseph (6-feet) scores from outside. Joseph is averaging 17 points and 5.8 assists and shooting 56%, including 17 for 26 on three-point shots. Against Duquesne, Joseph scored 26 points and had a school record 15 assists, quite an accomplishment on the road. Joseph hit two three-pointers in the final 1:02, including one with five seconds to play to tie the game. Bucknell is shooting 50% from the field and 50% on three-point attempts (35 of 70).

“We do shoot it pretty well,” Woollum said. “But we’re not as athletic as some of the teams out there (West Coast). We’re not jets, we don’t jump over the moon. But some of our kids play pretty good.”

Bucknell will play SDSU at 8:35 p.m. Sunday, after the opener between Fresno State and Texas Tech at 6:35. Here’s a look at the tournament’s other teams:

San Diego State University (4-5)--After losing to the University of San Diego, 76-53, last Saturday night at the Sports Arena, the up-and-down Aztecs have played two strong games. They defeated Dartmouth, 86-59, Monday night at the Sports Arena and lost in overtime to Rhode Island, 77-76, Wednesday night at the Sports Arena.

The Aztecs displayed flashes of solid offense against Rhode Island. They also out-rebounded the Rams, 41-32, and forced them into 34% shooting. But they committed 24 turnovers and failed to cash in on three shots that would have won the game. Guard Tony Ross missed a 18-foot jumper with five seconds left in regulation. Rodney Hawkins missed a layup with four seconds left in overtime and Ross missed a seven-foot bank shot at the buzzer. Fresno State (3-4)--The Bulldogs have lost 20 consecutive road games dating back to a 61-54 victory over Fullerton Feb. 8, 1986. This season, they have lost three close games on the road; 61-60 to Washington State, 67-61 to Washington and 69-66 to Santa Clara.

The Bulldogs start four juniors and a freshman. Junior forward Jervis Cole (6-6) is averaging 15.1 points, and forward Mike Mitchell (6-7) is averaging 14. Center Derrick Barden (6-6) is averaging 9.6, and leads the team in rebounds with 8.1 a game. Freshman guard Andre Sims (5-11) is averaging 7.4 points and 4 assists. Junior guard Kevin Stevenson (6-3) is averaging 12.3 points and 4 assists.

Defensively, the Bulldogs have allowed 64.4 points a game. “They are a tremendous defensive basketball team that is rapidly improving,” said SDSU Coach Jim Brandenburg.

Fresno State is coming off a 101-73 victory over Manhattan College at home Wednesday night. It was the first time since 1976 that the Bulldogs scored more than 100 points.

Texas Tech (3-4)--The Red Raiders are a young team that is 0-4 on the road. They lost to nationally ranked Wyoming, 84-65, and Purdue, 82-59.

Texas Tech has only one senior, starting forward Greg Crowe, who is averaging 7.6 points and 7.1 rebounds a game. They have three juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen who are getting considerable playing time. Junior guard Todd Duncan (6-1) is averaging 15.1 points and has made 23 of 47 three-point attempts. Junior Sean Gay (6-3) is averaging 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2 steals. Brandenburg says Gay is an outstanding guard.

Sophomore starting forward Kenny Keller (6-7) is averaging 4.4 points and sophomore starting center Wes Lowe (6-10) is averaging 9.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. The Red Raiders are hoping that 17-year old freshman center Maurice Artis (7-feet, 240 pounds) develops. Playing 14 minutes a game, Artis is averaging 4 points and 1.3 rebounds. Freshman forward Steve Miles (6-8) is averaging 4.1 points and freshman forward James Johnson (6-6) is averaging 1.7 points.