Seawolves finalize men's hoops roster with 6-9 German Nicho Burgard

ANCHORAGE (Oct. 17) – Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball coach Rusty Osborne announced the final addition to his team’s 2014-15 roster Friday as German forward Nicho Burgard has joined the Seawolves.

Burgard, a 6-9, 225-pounder from Wadgassen, Germany, played alongside current UAA teammate Kalidou Diouf at German prep powerhouse Urspring Basketball Academy, capturing a pair of high school national championships.

Osborne said Burgard will take part in Saturday’s Green & Gold Madness intrasquad game, although his year of eligibility has not yet been certified by the NCAA.

“Nicho gives us more quality size in the post and brings the ability to stretch defenses with his outside shooting,” Osborne said. “We think he will make a significant impact once his eligibility issues are sorted out.”

Following Saturday’s season-opening event at the Alaska Airlines Center – which will feature dunk and three-point contests at halftime – UAA returns to the court Nov. 1 for its annual Seawolf Alumni exhibition game (2:30 p.m.). The regular season begins Nov. 7-8 with a pair of games against future league foe Concordia (Ore.).

 

--GoSeawolves.com--

 

Nate Sagan
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK  99508
(907) 786-1295 / nate@uaa.alaska.edu
GoSeawolves.com

 

UAA picked 2nd in GNAC men's hoops poll

PORTLAND, Ore. (Oct. 14) – The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team has been picked to finish runner-up in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s preseason men’s basketball coaches’ poll, release Tuesday by the league office.

The Seawolves – coming off their ninth straight winning campaign – received one first-place vote and outpointed Seattle Pacific 69-68 for the No. 2 slot. League favorite Western Washington received seven first-place votes and 78 overall points, while SPU garnered the other two first-place votes.

UAA went 17-13 a year ago and tied for fourth in the league with a 10-8 mark. The Seawolves return three starters from that club – Div. II Bulletin preseason ‘Super 16’ All-American guard Travis Thompson (21.3 ppg, 3.2 apg, .892 FT, .421 3FG), Second Team All-GNAC junior point guard Brian McGill (15.6 ppg, 5.9 apg, .480 3FG) and senior post Brad Mears (4.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, .487 FG) – along with fellow veterans Christian Leckband (4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg), Boomer Blossom (2.4 ppg) and Jacob Craft (1.9 ppg).

Eleventh-year head coach Rusty Osborne and his staff will also welcome back returning redshirt center Kalidou Diouf (6-9, 270) to this year’s roster, along with transfers Derrick Fain (Sr., G, 6-4/175), Dom Hunter (Jr., G, 6-0/180), Travis Parrish (So., G/F, 6-3/215) and Kevin Bowman (Jr., G, 6-1/180), and true freshman guard Damien Fulp (6-2/175).

The Seawolves begin their season Saturday at 7 p.m. when they host the first-ever Green & Gold Madness at the Alaska Airlines Center. Admission is free.

2014-15 GNAC Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll

Rk Team (1st-place votes)   2013-14 Records     Pts

1. Western Washington (7)   20-8 (13-5, 2nd)    78

2. Alaska Anchorage (1)     17-13 (10-8, 4th-T) 69

3. Seattle Pacific (2)      26-6 (15-3, 1st)    68

4. Western Oregon           18-12 (10-8, 4th-T) 60

5. Montana State Billings   12-15 (8-10, 6th-T) 41

6. Central Washington       12-14 (8-10, 6th-T) 39

7. Alaska Fairbanks         18-10 (12-6, 3rd)   38

8. Northwest Nazarene       7-19 (5-13, 9th)    21

9. Simon Fraser             10-16 (3-15, 10th)  18

   Saint Martin’s           9-17 (6-12, 8th)    18

(Note: Each coach ranked other nine teams. First-place votes in

parentheses. Points awarded on 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.).

--GoSeawolves.com--

 

Nate Sagan
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK  99508
(907) 786-1295 / nate@uaa.alaska.edu
GoSeawolves.com

 

UAA Men's Hoops premieres Oct. 18 with Green & Gold Madness

The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team will make its premiere in the brand-new Alaska Airlines Center on Saturday, Oct. 18 when the Seawolves host their first-ever Green & Gold Madness at 7 p.m.

Along with the traditional exhibition game, fans will be treated to a halftime show that will include a dunk contest and a three-point shooting contest. Following the game, the Seawolves’ youngest fans will get a chance to shoot with the team and get autographs from their favorite players.

Admission is free.

“This is an exciting time for our program, playing now in the premier basketball arena in the state of Alaska. We’re thrilled to kick things off with such a fun event,” said UAA head coach Rusty Osborne. “Aside from getting a look at our new players, I think our fans will really enjoy the athleticism of our dunkers and the amazing accuracy by our three-point shooters. We hope to send the fans home with a nice preview of what they can expect this season.”

In addition to All-American senior guard Travis Thompson, the Seawolves feature returning All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference junior point guard Brian McGill and six other veterans back from last season. Coach Osborne and his staff are also welcoming eight players who will be making their Seawolf debut on Saturday night.

--GoSeawolves.com--

 

Nate Sagan
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK  99508
(907) 786-1295 / nate@uaa.alaska.edu
GoSeawolves.com