Las Vegas – Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik continues to search for answers for his team to play better on the road, but he’s not going to panic.
“I’m not going to overreact,” Bzdelik said this week before taking the Falcons to play UNLV tonight at the Thomas and Mack Center in what has become a key game in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons never have won at UNLV, but Air Force (16-3, 4-2) could help itself greatly by ending a conference two-game losing streak on the road.
“There’s no disgrace losing to Wyoming and New Mexico on the road, but we could have played better in both games,” Bzdelik said. “The main issue to me on the road has been our rebounding. The saying goes ‘no rebounding, no rings.’ We also have to do a better job executing our offense and hitting our free throws.”
Bzdelik put the Falcons, who are 11-0 at home, through a crisp practice Monday by breaking up his starting unit so they played against each other. He asked his players to pick up the pace.
“At times we don’t seem to have the same energy on the road as we do at home,” Bzdelik said.
In last Saturday’s 62-59 loss at New Mexico, only forward Jacob Burtschi (28 points) and guard Antoine Hood (13) scored in double figures. The Falcons lost the rebound battle 25-20. In their previous game in Clune Arena against Utah, the Falcons had four double-figure scorers and they won the rebound battle 19-15.
Bzdelik isn’t sure if fatigue is a factor, but the Falcons use basically six players and have an exhausting daily routine at the academy.
“We might have some players who have a comfort level,” Bzdelik said. “When things are going good, there are times when they might coast.”
Irv Moss can be reached on 303 820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
