‘We’re really pleased with this group:’ NKU men’s basketball chases another league title

[ad_1]

The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team has a mix of veterans who have played in the NCAA Tournament and newer players figuring out how to play championship basketball.

It was the veterans who led the way last week when the Norse faced their most adversity of the season.

Trey Robinson (1) averages over 16 points per game and is the reigning Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year.

NKU lost a tough triple-overtime game at Robert Morris Dec. 29, 97-93. Then, they returned home to play on New Year’s Day, facing Purdue Fort Wayne, which was picked to win the Horizon League in the preseason poll.

That game went to overtime, and the Norse pulled out a 69-68 win. Three days later, they hosted last-place Green Bay and won convincingly, 78-60.

The win improved the Norse to 4-1 in the Horizon League and 9-7 overall as they play at Youngstown State (10-6, 5-1) Wednesday night in a battle for first place. There are four teams with one loss in league play entering action on Wednesday.

“I give a lot of credit to our guys who have been here,” said NKU head coach Darrin Horn. “Three games in seven days is hard. You go triple overtime in a tough loss, come back and play the best offensive team in the league in Purdue Fort Wayne, and if not they’re (number) two. Get down, and find a way to stick with it, win the game. Come back and play Green Bay who has a totally different way of playing. That speaks to the maturity of our guys.”

Sam Vinson has been a versatile player for NKU throughout his career. His scoring is down after he tore his ACL in 2023, but is averaging 11.8 points, 4.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

NKU is led by its two longtime veterans from local high schools, Trey Robinson from Hamilton High School and Sam Vinson from Highlands.

Robinson, a 6-7 wing, came back to the Norse for his graduate season. He was Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year last season.

He is averaging 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season. He has…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/were-really-pleased-group-nku-220905198.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2025-01-07 22:09:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.