Jan. 2, 2007
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Site
Moby Arena (8,745), Fort Collins, Colo.
Radio
The Air Force Basketball Network. Locally on NewsRadio 740 KVOR in Colorado Springs and KYOL 1510 AM in Denver. KVOR's Jim Arthur handles the play-by-play.
TV
The mtn. James Bates (play-by-play) and Blaine Fowler (analyst) call the action.
Live Stats
www.goairforcefalcons.com (Gametracker)
Recent Results
Air Force defeated Santa Clara, 78-48, in the championship game of the Cable Car Classic. Colorado State defeated Chattanooga, 76-65, in the championship game of the Dr. Pepper Classic.
Coaches
Air Force is coached by Jeff Bzdelik (Illinois-Chicago, 1976), who is in his second season as head coach. Bzdelik returned to the college game last year after 15 seasons as a coach and scout in the NBA, most recently as head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Bzdelik has a collegiate career record of 62-39, including a 37-8 mark at Air Force. Bzdelik was the head coach at UMBC for two years from 1986-88.
Colorado State is coached by Dale Layer (Eckerd College, 1980), who is in his seventh season with the Rams. He is 96-95 at the school and has a 263-182 career record in 15+ seasons.
Series
CSU leads the all-time series, 61-25. Air Force swept the Rams last season, winning 71-56 at Clune Arena and 63-59 in Fort Collins. AFA has won four straight and seven of the last eight vs. CSU.
13-1 Ties Best Start Ever
Air Force's 13-1 record ties the best start ever in program history after 14 games, equalling the team's record from last season.
Cable Car Classic Champions
With Air Force's 78-48 victory over Santa Clara last Friday, the Falcons claimed the title at the Cable Car Classic. The Falcons defeated George Washington, 66-52, in the first round on Thursday.
The tournament title was Air Force's third in program history. The Falcons captured the Evansville Invitational in 1972 and the Golden Bear Classic in 2003.
Air Force is 5-1 in tournament games this season after going 3-1 in the CBE Classic in November.
Burtschi Named Cable Car MVP
Senior Jacob Burtschi earned the most valubale player award at the Cable Car Classic after averaging 18.5 points and five rebounds in the two games. Seniors Dan Nwaelele and Matt McCraw were named to the all-tournament team and sophomore Andrew Henke was named the Classic's top sixth man.
Top Twenty in Both Polls
For the third straight week, the Falcons achieved their highest ranking ever in both national polls. AFA moved up one spot to No. 16 in this week's USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll and three spots to No. 20 in the Associated Press poll.
Conference Openers
Air Force opens MWC play on Wednesday at Colorado State. The Falcons are 5-21 all-time in conference openers. They were 2-17 in conference openers in their 19 years in the Western Athletic Conference, with the two victories coming against San Diego State (86-75) in 1986-87 and Colorado State (69-58) in 1992-93.
Air Force is 3-4 in conference openers since the Mountain West Conference began play in 1999. Two victories have come at the expense of Colorado State, a 58-53 win at Clune Arena in 2004, and a 65-57 triumph in Fort Collins during the 2003-04 season. The Falcons downed BYU, 75-59, at Clune Arena in last season's MWC opener.
Up Next
The Falcons continue play in the Mountain West Conference on Saturday, Jan. 6 when they host UNLV at Clune Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Last Time Out
Air Force 78, Santa Clara 48
Dec. 29, 2006, Santa Clara, Calif.
Santa Clara, Calif. (AP) -- Jacob Burtschi scored 16 points with four 3-pointers and No. 23 Air Force hit a season-high 16 3s on the way to its ninth straight victory, 78-48 over Santa Clara in the championship game of the Cable Car Classic on Friday night.
Andrew Henke, Matt McCraw and Nick Welch all added 13 points with three 3s. The Falcons, who had one game with 15 3s and two others when they hit 13 this season, shot 16-for-30 from long range and five players had at least two. Burtschi also dished out five assists and was named MVP.
The Falcons (13-1) put on an impressive show for the half-dozen NBA scouts in attendance.
Dan Nwaelele added 12 points with two 3s, seven of his team's 21 assists for a career high and five rebounds as Air Force snapped the Broncos' five-game home winning streak. Air Force finished two shy of the school record for 3s and also two short of the Leavey Center record.
John Bryant had 10 points to lead Santa Clara but the 6-foot-10 center got into foul trouble and managed only one rebound in the Broncos' worst defeat since a 93-59 loss at New Mexico on Nov. 13, 2004. Santa Clara last lost on its home floor to then-No. 21 Nevada on Nov. 25.
Air Force plugged the middle on defense and Santa Clara (10-5) had to settle for shots from the perimeter for much of the first half - and the Broncos weren't accurate, going 6-for-21 and making only two of 10 3-point tries. The Falcons connected for 12 of their 3s before the break.
Air Force sophomore Henke faced his older brother, Santa Clara junior Mitch Henke, for the first time in their collegiate careers and it was the first matchup between these programs.
The Falcons came in shooting 54 percent from the floor and 45 percent from long range and had an easy time attacking both the Broncos' zone and man-to-man defenses with crisp ball movement. They hit eight of their first 12 shots and took control early, leading 48-21 at halftime.
Santa Clara, the defending champion in its own tournament after beating Bucknell last year for its 14th title in the event, had won five of six in a stretch that featured a 74-60 loss at Kentucky on Dec. 19.
San Francisco Giants infielder Kevin Frandsen was on hand to present the sixth man award named in the honor of his late brother, D.J., a former manager for the Broncos. Andrew Henke received the award.
Notes from the Santa Clara Game
Team
-- Air Force is 13-1 for the second consecutive year and second time in program history
-- Air Force made a season-high 16 three-pointers
-- Air Force shot 50 percent or better from the floor for the seventh consecutive game
-- Air Force has made at least 11 three-pointers in each of its last five games and seven of its last eight
-- Air Force had at least 20 assists for the third time in its last four games (the other game was 19)
Individual
-- Andrew Henke scored a career-high 13 points
-- Henke tied his career-high with 27 minutes
-- Dan Nwaelele dished out a career-high seven assists
Falcons Picked Third in MWC Poll
Air Force was picked third in the 2006-07 preseason media poll released at the Mountain West Conference media day in Las Vegas, Nev., on Oct. 26. The Falcons received three first-place votes, the second-most in the conference.
School (First Place Votes), Pts
1. San Diego State (17), 192
2. BYU (1), 156
3. Air Force (3), 147
4. Utah, 114
5. New Mexico, 101
6. UNLV, 99
7. Colorado State, 68
8. Wyoming, 51
9. TCU, 27
Burtschi Named Preseason All-MWC
Senior forward Jacob Burtschi was selected to the preseason All-Mountain West Conference team at the league's media day in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Chickasha, Okla. product earned second-team honors by the conference following the 2005-06 season after finishing second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.4 points per game, and leading the MWC with a school-record 71 steals.
Burtschi led the Falcons in rebounding at 6.1 rebounds per game, which placed him ninth in the league.
This is the fourth consecutive year an Air Force player has been selected to the team. Senior Nick Welch was picked each of the past two years and Tim Keller was selected prior to the 2003-04 season. The only other MWC school to have a player on the team each of the last four years is Colorado State.
2006-07 Preseason All-MWC
Jacob Burtschi, Sr., F, Air Force
Trent Plaisted, So., F/C, BYU
Jason Smith, Jr., F, Colorado State
Mohamed Abukar, Sr., F, San Diego State
Brandon Heath, Sr., G, San Diego State
Top Returning Player
Brandon Heath, Sr., G, San Diego State
Top Freshman
Stephen Weigh, G/F, Utah
Burtschi Sets Career Steals Mark
With his two steals against Radford on Nov. 22, senior Jacob Burtschi became the all-time steals leader at Air Force. He currently has 158, seven more than Raymond Dudley, who played from `86-90.
Nwaelele is All-Time 3-Pt% Leader
Seniors Dan Nwaelele and Matt McCraw are in a heated battle for the No. 1 spot on Air Force's career list for three-point percentage. Following his 19-for-29 (65.5%) performance the last six games, Nwaelele has increased his lead. He is shooting 47.7 percent (133-279) from behind the arc, while McCraw is at 46.7 percent (170-364). Third place on the list is Raymond Dudley, the school's career scoring leader, at 39.6 percent (285-720).
Home Win Streak at 23
The Falcons have a 23-game winning streak at Clune Arena. The team's current home-court winning streak is tied with BYU for the third-longest in the nation, behind Gonzaga and Connecticut.
Non-Conference Home Streak at 31
With its 70-47 victory over Norfolk State on Wednesday, Dec. 13, Air Force has a 31-game winning streak at home against non-conference opponents.
The last loss at home to a non-Mountain West team at Clune Arena was against Tennessee Tech on Dec. 29, 2001 (64-44).
Nearly Unbeatable at Clune
The Falcons have been close to unbeatable at Clune Arena the last four seasons. Including the final home game of the 2002-03 season (a 68-60 victory over New Mexico), Air Force has won 47 of its last 48 home games. The team was 13-0 in `03-04, 12-1 in `04-05 (lost to Utah, 65-56), 15-0 last season and 6-0 this year.
AFA's 46-1 home record since the beginning of the 2003-04 season is the second-best in the country for winning percentage, behind Gonzaga.
Third-Longest Winning Streak
Air Force's nine-game winning streak is the third-longest in school history. The Falcons rattled off a school-record 13 straight victories in 2003-04 and won 12 consecutive games last season.
NCAA Record vs. Colorado College
Air Force held Division III Colorado College to an NCAA-record six points in the first half in the Falcons' 82-31 victory on Dec. 9.
The previous low for a half since the shot clock was introduced for the 1985-86 season was the seven scored by Central Michigan in trailing Ohio University by 28 points on Jan. 14, 2006.
Nwaelele Shares MWC Award
Senior Dan Nwaelele and Colorado State junior Jason Smith were named Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball Co-Players of the Week on Dec. 4.
A 6-5 forward from Bothell, Wash., Nwaelele averaged 18.5 points and four rebounds per game as the Falcons pushed their win streak to four games. Nwaelele contributed 11 points and five boards in a 94-58 rout of Wake Forest on Wednesday, then pumped in a career-high 26 points in a 78-66 win over IPFW on Saturday. Nwaelele was almost perfect against IPFW, making 6-of-7 from the field, including all three of his 3-point attempts, and was 11-of-11 from the free-throw line.
Smith, a 7-0 center from Kersey, Colo., averaged 19.5 points and seven rebounds per game to help the Rams extend their win streak to four games. Smith narrowly missed a double-double with 24 points and nine rebounds in an 81-73 win over Denver on Wednesday, going 9-of-10 from the field. On Saturday, the junior center added 15 points and five rebounds in an 84-83 thriller over Kansas State.
Four Starters in Double Figures
Four of Air Force's five starters are averaging in double figures this season. Dan Nwaelele and Jacob Burtschi lead the way at 14.4 points per game, followed by Matt McCraw (11.6) and Nick Welch (10.4). Tim Anderson fell to 9.9 ppg following the Santa Clara game.
AFA in the Computer Rankings
The Falcons posted their highest rating ever in the Sagarin ratings on Jan. 2 at No. 7 following their win over Santa Clara. Their previous high was No. 11 on Dec. 29. Air Force is currently No. 20 in CollegeRPI. The team's best ranking in CollegeRPI was No. 14 on Nov. 20.
First Top Ten Opponent Since `98
Duke was the Falcons' first opponent ranked in the Top Ten since AFA played fifth-ranked Utah on Feb. 21, 1998. The Falcons have never beaten a Top Ten team.
Welch Joins the 200-100 Club
With his steal on Dec. 13 against Norfolk State, Nick Welch became the ninth player in school history to record 200 assists and 100 steals in his career. Welch currently has 214 assists and 102 steals in his career.
Tied for Seventh with 9-Game Streak
The Falcons are tied for seventh in the country for the longest winning streak with nine consecutive wins. Clemson has won 14 straight games, followed by Oregon and UCLA with 13, Arizona and Notre Dame are at 11, and Wisconsin has won 10 straight. In addition to AFA, Colorado State, UNLV, New Mexico State and North Carolina have won nine in a row.
Tied for Third with 13 Wins
The Falcons are tied for the third in the country for most victories with 13. Clemson and Wisconsin lead the way with 14 wins. Air Force is tied with seven teams, including Oklahoma State, Marquette, UNLV, UCLA, Maryland, Michigan State and Butler.
First to 13 in MWC with UNLV
With their victory over Santa Clara, the Falcons joined UNLV as the first Mountain West Conference teams to win 13 games this season. Air Force tops the league standings with its 13-1 record.
Second Time With 30-Point Wins
Air Force's 36-point victory at Stanford and 38-point win at Colorado marked just the second time in school history that the Falcons have won consecutive games by 30 points or more.
The first time was in the program's inaugural season of 1956-57, when AFA defeated Colorado College, 104-53, and Eastern New Mexico, 102-69. Both of those games were at home.
Top 10 in Several NCAA Categories
Air Force is ranked in the Top 10 in eight categories in the latest NCAA Division I statistics. The Falcons are No. 2 in field-goal percentage, shooting 54.2 percent, and three-point shooting, at 45.7 percent, this season.
Starters Shooting Lights Out
Four of Air Force's five starters are shooting at least 50 percent from the field this season. Forward Dan Nwaelele leads the team at 61.7% (66-107). Tim Anderson is second at 55.3% (42-76), followed by Nick Welch at 54.9% (56-102) and Jacob Burtschi at 54.1% (73-135). Matt McCraw is the only starter below 50 percent, at 46.1% (41-89). The five starters as a group are shooting 54.6 percent (278-509).
In fact, of the 15 players on the roster that have attempted at least five field-goal attempts this season, only four (including McCraw) are shooting below 50 percent.
Seven Games in 12 Days!!
Air Force started the season playing seven games in 12 days, including four games in five days, culminating with its 83-59 victory over Radford on Nov. 22. Air Force was just one of three Division I teams (Winston-Salem College and Fairfield Univ.) to play seven games before Thanksgiving this season.
Henke vs. Henke
Sophomore Andrew Henke faced his brother, Mitch, a junior at Santa Clara, in the championship game of the Cable Car Classic. Andrew scored a career-high 13 points in 27 minutes of action and was named the tournament's top sixth man. Mitch, meanwhile, did not score against the Falcons and played just four minutes after spraining his ankle on Dec. 23 against Utah State.
UNC Game Postponed
Due to extreme winter weather and travel complications, Air Force's game against Northern Colorado scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 23, was postponed. No make up date has been set.
Winning Handily
12 of Air Force's 13 victories this season have been by 10 points or more. The only single-digit win was the 69-68 victory over Long Beach State at the CBE Classic.
Eight of the team's wins have been by more than 20 points and six of those have been by 30 points or more.
Three-Point Streak
Air Force has made a three-point shot in 429 consecutive games. The last time the Falcons failed to make a three-pointer was Dec. 4, 1991 in a 57-51 victory over Adams State College.
Falcons in National Stats
Senior Dan Nwaelele is ranked second in the country for three-point percentage (56.3 percent) in the latest NCAA Division I statistics (Jan. 2). Nwaelele, who is also No. 2 in the Mountain West Conference in 3-point shooting (36-for-64), is shooting 61.7 percent (66-107) from the field this season.
Junior Tim Anderson is 15th in the country in free-throw shooting at 91.1 percent, while teammate Jacob Burtschi is 75th in field-goal percentage.
Third Place at CBE Classic
Air Force finished third at the 16-team College Basketball Experience Classic with a 67-53 victory over Texas Tech on Nov. 21 in the third-place game in Kansas City, Mo. Duke defeated the Falcons, 71-56, in the semifinals.
McCraw Named to All-Tourney Team
Senior Matt McCraw was named to the CBE Classic all-tournament team after scoring a season-high 18 points and grabbing a team-high six rebounds against Texas Tech in the third-place game. McCraw scored nine points in the semis vs. Duke.
CBE Classic Regional Champs
With its 79-45 victory over Stanford on Nov. 15, Air Force captured the Stanford Region of the CBE Classic and was the only non-home team to advance to the CBE Classic semifinals in Kansas City. Duke, Texas Tech and Marquette were the other teams at the tournament.
Burtschi Named Region MVP
Senior Jacob Burtschi was named the most valuable player for the Stanford Region of the CBE Classic. Burtschi averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds in the two games, including a 24-point, 12-rebound performance against Stanford on Nov. 15, the third double-double of his career.
Falcons vs. the ACC
With its 1-1 record this season, (defeated Wake Forest, lost to Duke), Air Force is now 3-8 overall against teams in the ACC, with all three victories coming in the last two seasons.
The Falcons' defeated Miami and Georgia Tech last year, giving them a 2-0 mark last season against one of the top conferences in the country.
The Falcons were 0-7 against ACC teams entering the `05-06 season. In the past, AFA posted two wins against teams that are currently in the ACC (Georgia Tech in 1972 and Florida State in 1965), but those teams were not in the ACC at the time of the game.
Fourth NCAA Appearance in History
Air Force made its fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season, falling to Illinois, 78-69, in the first round. The Falcons lost to North Carolina in the first round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament, 63-52, which was their first time in the "Big Dance" since 1962, when the Falcons lost in the first round, 68-66, to Texas Tech. Air Force's other appearance in the NCAA tournament was in 1960, losing in the first round to DePaul, 69-63.
24 Wins Set New School Record
Air Force finished the 2005-06 campaign with a 24-7 record. The 24 victories are the most wins in one season in the history of the program. The previous mark was 22 set by the 2003-04 team.
