AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.-
The Air Force Falcons weren’t de-energized by missing out on the NCAA tournament. Just the opposite, and senior forward Jacob Burtschi has led the way with his play and attitude.
Burtschi had his fifth career double-double in the Falcons’ 83-52 rout of Georgia on Monday night, scoring a game-best 21 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
His highlight was a slam dunk over Billy Humphrey while drawing the foul in the opening minutes. His free throw made it 10-5 and the rout was on.
“The first time I ever dunked on someone. Most of the time, they’re on the fast break. So, I joined the club. I feel happy now. I can talk to these guys,” Burtschi said, pointing to fellow seniors Matt McCraw and Dan Nwaelele. “I can have lunch with them now.”
Burtschi, the Falcons’ career leader in games played (123) and steals (193), not only relished in his first poster dunk but also declared that opponents coming to Clune Arena, where Air Force has won 56 of 58, “had better bring it.”
“We have one slip-up this year and that won’t happen again on Wednesday night,” when Air Force (25-8) faces DePaul (20-13) with a trip to the NIT semifinals on the line, he said.
“Jake gets a little carried away,” coach Jeff Bzdelik said.
That’s not a bad thing, though.
“Jake’s energy is contagious,” Bzdelik said. “He’s really a unique basketball player in that he is very versatile. He can pass, dribble and shoot. I’ve played him at every position.”
Against the Bulldogs, he played guard at times, center at others.
“This offense thrives on players who are interchangeable because all the parts are interchangeable,” Bzdelik said. “He’s a unique basketball player in a perfect system for him.”
