One look at freshman center Sammy Schafer, and it’s automatic to wonder whether he will be a catalyst in leading a resurgence for Air Force basketball in the next three years.
He’s listed as 6-feet-10 on the roster but claims he’s 6-11. Players of that height have been few and far between at Air Force, but for any basketball team, a talented 6-11 center could help work wonders. The Falcons (9-9, 0-5 Mountain West) need a lift to compile a sixth consecutive winning season, having lost six consecutive games.
“I don’t think it’s too much of a burden for me,” Schafer said when asked if his height might cause unrealistic expectations. “As for being a catalyst, I think everyone on our team will want to fill that role.”
Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said Schafer was recruited from Oregon City, Ore., with the hope he could help the Falcons become contenders in the Mountain West Conference, though his game needs a lot of work.
“We saw some skills, good footwork and good hands,” Reynolds said of his recruiting report.
But Reynolds doesn’t go so far as to predict his first-year player will eventually impact the Falcons as much as center Luke Nevill does for Utah.
“He (Schafer) isn’t 7-foot-3,” Reynolds said.
Schafer’s focus isn’t on what might happen. He believes the Falcons can be winners this season. But time is becoming a factor with the Falcons in their worst slump in years heading into tonight’s 6 o’clock game in Laramie against Wyoming.
“Absolutely we can still win this year,” Schafer said. “We play some teams that can beat anyone in the top 25 on a given night. It’s daunting, but we’re up for the challenge.”
Schafer has seen limited action but got 24 minutes of playing time a week ago against Colorado State.
“I’m getting more and more comfortable every time I play,” he said. “I have to make hustle plays to give the team energy, get rebounds because of my length and work on my outside shot to be a threat. I don’t want to force things because when I force things, that’s when things go bad.”
For the season, Schafer has modest statistics, averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in about eight minutes per game.
Tonight, Schafer said his team has to will its way to victory.
“When you’re facing adversity, the hardest part is right before you break through,” Schafer said. “We’re so close. After our first conference win, we’ll just want more.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
