Air Force Academy – Tim Anderson wears two hats for Air Force.
On one hand, as the only nonsenior starter, he’s a vital cog on a team that has reached the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament. On the other hand, he’s the focal point to Air Force basketball’s future and what happens after this season is completed.
This year’s Falcons have put together a season no one wants to see end. With senior starters, forwards Jacob Burtschi and Dan Nwaelele, center Nick Welch, and guard Matt McCraw, and senior reserves, forward Ryan Teets and center John Frye, the Falcons have posted a 26-8 record heading into Tuesday night’s game against Clemson at Madison Square Garden.
Anderson has gotten plenty of playing time, but the other underclassmen on the team have limited experience. They know they have a tough act to follow, but they aren’t backing down from the challenge.
“We know there definitely will be comparisons,” Anderson said of the future. “There are going to be a lot of doubts for some next year because we lose four starters. We’ve learned a lot from the seniors we have and we’re focused on seeing how far we still can go.”
At most, there are two more games. If Air Force beats Clemson, it will play Thursday night for the NIT championship.
While starting all 34 games, Anderson has played 1,099 minutes, tying McCraw for the team lead. Otherwise, the underclassmen have been spectators most of the time. Sophomore guard Andrew Henke has the most playing time among the others at 441 minutes.
And while the question of what comes next for Air Force basketball after this week, it’s not only a question of players, but their coach.
There is considerable speculation that coach Jeff Bzdelik could end his term at Air Force after two seasons, possibly going to the University of Colorado to fill its vacant men’s coaching position.
“Of course we’d like him to stay and be our coach next year,” Anderson said. “That’s an issue for next season. We can’t control what he does.”
“I’d like to think that he’s (Bzdelik) coming back,” Henke said. “I’d like to believe he’s coming back. Coach and I have a great relationship. There always are struggles between players and coaches over playing time. We talk all the time and we make sure that I’m getting better as a player. We know it’s a business decision. We have to wait and see what lies in his heart.”
Henke isn’t worried about Air Force continuing its winning ways. The number of victories over the past four years reached 90 when the Falcons beat DePaul 52-51 on Wednesday in the NIT quarterfinals.
“It’s going to be a different situation, but we’re confident we can continue the winning streak next year,” Henke said.
Junior forward-center Eric Kenzik contends the Falcons aren’t dwelling on the coaching situation.
“We love having him as our coach, but it’s up to him,” Kenzik said. “We’re ready and anxious to prove we’re good players, too. We might be short on experience next year, but not short on talent.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
NIT Postcard: Air Force senior forward Jacob Burtschi
West Point impresses Burtschi
Editor’s note: Senior forward Jacob Burtschi will be sending postcards to The Denver Post this week while the Falcons are at the NIT. Burtschi, from Chickasha, Okla., is writing from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where the team is staying before heading to New York City later today.
Our flight from Colorado Springs was about an hour late on Friday and we flew all day, arriving here after dark. I didn’t see anything.
But today (Saturday) was much different. We practiced first thing in the morning and then we toured the academy and learned that it’s called West Point because it’s the westernmost point on the Hudson River. Nothing against the Air Force Academy, but this area might win on the setting. There’s so much tradition and history right here that dates back to the Revolutionary War. The architecture is much different than at Air Force. We have a distinct chapel, but the chapel here is special.
This place is awesome, but it hasn’t changed my mind about Air Force. I’m glad I went there.
