New basketball coaches revitalize Bulldogs

After the worst season in Yale history, men's basketball tries to get back on track By David Lisson

Coming off the worst record in the program's history, the team has nowhere to go but up. Last year's 22 defeats marked the most losses in school history, landing the Bulldogs in last place in the Ivy League. The team became critically dependant on forward David Tomp-kins, SY '99, and as the losses mounted, the Elis lost confidence and discipline. The season ended with the resignation of longtime coach Dick Kuchen last March.

By the end of April, the athletic department named James Jones as Kuchen's replacement, and the team began to look forward instead of backward. Jones returns to Yale from Ohio University, where he had been an assistant coach primarily involved in recruiting and developing players. Prior to his stint at Ohio, Jones served as an assistant coach at Yale from 1995-1997 and is familiar with both the team and the school. In fact, he spearheaded Yale's recruiting for the classes of 2000 and 2001. "Jones is the major reason that I am at Yale University," captain John Kirkowski, MC '00, said.

M. Basketball

Record: 0-0 Coming up: Fri., Nov. 19 at Lehigh, 7 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 21 vs. Vermont, 3 p.m.

Jones has had an immediate effect on the team. The Elis say they are more confident and excited than they have been in recent seasons. Jones has changed everything from the assistant coaches to the way practices are run to the team's sponsor. But the most important difference is the change in the team's philosophy. Through initiatives such as a six-mile team run and daily push-ups (which Jones himself participates in) he has started to bring out the attitude necessary for success. "We are getting a lot more out of our practices now," Kirkowski said. "We are always going at 110 percent."

The biggest challenge the Elis face is replacing Tompkins after his graduation last year. He started every game at forward and was the team leader in scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage, steals and minutes per game. A trio of seniors will try to step in at forward. Kirkowski and Ted Smith, CC '00, appeared in all but one game last season, and Jason Williams, PC '00, has healed from a wrist injury that bothered him for most of last year. This trio must fill in the gap left by Tompkins and provide the leadership for the team, as they are the only seniors on the roster. It has been their responsibility to make sure that the coaching transition goes smoothly. With all the positive changes, however, this hasn't been much of a problem so far.

Neil Yanke, MC '01, will return as the team's center. He started 24 of the team's 26 games last year, led the team with 31 blocks and was second in rebounding. Yanke looks to break out this year and lead the team up front. Both Yanke and Tom Kritzer, PC '01, the Bulldogs' other returning center, were recruited by Jones during his earlier stint as assistant coach.

The strength of the team's youth will be felt the most at guard. The Bulldogs will depend heavily on Onaje Woodbine, BK '02,—one of the league's top rookies last year, he was second on the team in scoring, assists and three-pointers. Isaiah Cavaco, JE '01, has been sidelined due to injury; Chris Leanza, SY '03, will have to step up in his place if the Bulldogs are to be successful.

More important than individuals, however, is the change in attitude Jones has brought to the team. While the atmosphere the last few years has been defeatist and generally negative, this year's Bulldogs feel confident that they can beat any team in the league. They are gunning for Pennsylvania, which experts have picked to finish on top of the Ivy League. Penn has the potential to be ranked in the top 25 nationally. More driven and united than they were under Kuchen, the Elis are focused and ready to play. "Everyone is going to see a very different brand of basketball this year," Kirkowski said. "I'm excited."

Photo of captain and forward John Kirkowski, MC '00, and forward Brad Reusch, MC '02, by Ewan MacDougall.

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