Feb. 1, 2002

After the Navy game the reporters asked me if they are the most physical team we play against during the season. Then after Colgate I was asked what it,s like to play against a team that plays as physically as they do. And now, last night, I was asked what I do differently when playing against a team that is as physical as Lehigh. The truth is that I don't do anything differently really, no matter whom I am playing against.

This year in the Patriot League every team has had a couple of different players guard me throughout the course of the game. It is pretty obvious that teams try and use their physical strength as a way of keeping me from doing what I do well. That may be a good idea because if I were to try and beat another player with strength I'd end up losing more times than not. A lot of times after games people will ask me if I feel ok because it looks likes I've been knocked around a lot. I'm so used to playing like that that I don't even notice it anymore.

The officials have a hard time because the other team is telling them that I'm cagey, or crafty, or dirty, or whatever. The only thing I try to do is get open. If there's a foul, the referees call it. If there isn't one, then they don't. I don't say much to the refs even when I think they may have missed a call because their job is very difficult. It isn't like they are out to get Brian Burke, or they are trying to stick it to Lafayette. They call what they see and that's all they can do. They have a split second to decide on a call, and no matter what happens they are going to have half of the people in the gym screaming at them. Sometimes I may react to a call, but it is only out of emotion and not because I really want to.

Among other things, I owe a lot about my attitude towards the officials to my older brothers Tom and Scott. I remember watching their high school games at Penn Charter (Philadelphia) when I was younger, and they always carried themselves well on the court. They always respected the officials. That's something I've tried to bring with me to the way that I approach the game.

Coming down the home stretch here in my career, it is great to have my family at most of the games. I take it for granted that my brothers and sisters can see me play all the time. Justin's dad, Tom, is out here for the week. He doesn't get many chances to see his son play because they live in Tucson, Ariz. It's great that he is able to make the trip and catch a couple of games. I remember that location was important to me when I was choosing schools. I wanted to go to school close enough so that my family would be able to see me play. Not everyone is able to do that.

Even though my sisters could never understand why I had to go back to school for practice the day after Christmas, they have always been very supportive of me. It is hard to believe that the time is running out. I don't know where my basketball career is going to end up after this, but I do know these are the last days where my whole family will be able to get together and watch me play. I remember my first days of organized basketball. Back then it seemed like it would last forever. My dad still has the ball from when I scored my first basket. I was as skinny as ever and still sported the t-shirt under my jersey -- even when I was seven years old.

My parents have been great the past four years. They were there for me in the tough times when it was hard getting through the Division I grind. A lot of times I didn't know if I'd be able to make it just because it was so difficult physically. Then, something like a collapsed lung happened which can test you even more. I couldn't have gotten through these last couple of years without them.

Sometimes I think my dad takes it more seriously than I do- or at least he gets more nervous than I do. One of the things I've learned is to not get comfortable seeing him in a particular seat. He usually wanders around the arena from section to section. Next time, if you see him wandering, say hello. Wednesday night at Lehigh after I made a couple foul shots towards the end, I spotted him up in the corner of the building just standing there. Not being able to control what happens on the court has got to be frustrating. It must be harder to watch than it is to play.

Note: Rob bought a car this past week. It is a lilac colored, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. It runs nice and he got a great deal. Congratulate him when you see him. It is a great buy.