Post by Sly Fox on Nov 2, 2005 15:34:03 GMT -5
Here is Chris' story from the fishwrap on Evan:
www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA%2FMGArticle%2FLNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767893837&path=!sports
LU's Risher has a point to prove
By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
November 2, 2005
It's a fair question and an on-point criticism. Even Evan Risher will admit to that.
The Liberty University sophomore is set to take over as the Flames' starting point guard on a full-time basis. Some outside the program see that as a weakness.
Risher started 11 games last season, most of them coming in the fall semester when Brian Woodson was getting his academic eligibility in order. Risher was held scoreless in eight games of LU's 28 games. He failed to dish out an assist in 14 games.
He can see why he's perceived as a question mark.
"I've thought about that, but then again, if I think about it like that, then it'll be a distraction," Risher said. "I've got confidence in myself, and as long as my teammates have confidence in me, then I'll do exceptionally well."
Even head coach Randy Dunton has some questions about the 6-foot, 185-pounder. The most pressing one: Can Risher be a leader on a team that features six new players and only one proven scorer returning from a year ago in guard Larry Blair?
"He's still got to mature," Dunton said. "It's not about just showing up and playing. It's about a consistent commitment day in and day out to a preparation process at a championship level."
Dunton is confident Risher has the tools to succeed. He holds the career assist record at North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas, and he played in big-time games with big-name players. He played prep and summer basketball with former Kansas star Keith Langford and LaMarcus Aldridge, one of the most heralded recruits to sign at Texas in years.
"He's somebody who has the physical capabilities of being a strong guard," Dunton said. "He's got a great first step. He's got ball handling skills that allow him to face any pressure one-on-one and be creative enough to change pace inside out, cross over, and get the ball in the front court."
Risher flashed some of those credentials as a freshman. He scored 19 points in a tighter than expected win over Division III Shenandoah. He tied a season high with five rebounds against Old Dominion and was third on the team in 3-point shooting percentage. But when Woodson returned to the starting lineup in late December, Risher's minutes dwindled.
Even if Risher's freshman season ended with him playing a backup role, the early-season experience taught him how to perform in a challenging situation.
"I think I'm a lot better than last year," Risher said. "I've got a lot more confidence. All I can say, I guess, is we'll see when the season starts."
One thing Dunton admires about Risher is his competitiveness on the defensive end. Dunton calls Risher "a fighter," and Risher agreed that he's more of a defensive leader rather than an offensive weapon.
Risher will be looked upon to make plays, but he won't be the first option on offense. That responsibility goes to Blair then to Damien Hubbard, a Frederick (Md.) Community College transfer who will start at small forward.
Already, Risher has gained the confidence of his teammates with the way he locks down on the defensive end.
"He's a scrappy player who brings energy to the team," Blair said. "He brings toughness, which every team needs at the point guard position."
Risher calls the opportunity to start the season, which begins Nov. 18 at Virginia, "a tremendous blessing." And he's out to prove that on a team with a lot of question marks, he's not one of them.
"Risher's time is now - if he wants to seize it," Dunton said. "I've seen enough of Evan Risher to know he's capable of being as good a point guard as anybody's got in the Big South. We're dealing with a kid right now who we want to step up. He could be very, very good. He's a proven winner. Now it's time for him to do what he should do to serve this program."
By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
November 2, 2005
It's a fair question and an on-point criticism. Even Evan Risher will admit to that.
The Liberty University sophomore is set to take over as the Flames' starting point guard on a full-time basis. Some outside the program see that as a weakness.
Risher started 11 games last season, most of them coming in the fall semester when Brian Woodson was getting his academic eligibility in order. Risher was held scoreless in eight games of LU's 28 games. He failed to dish out an assist in 14 games.
He can see why he's perceived as a question mark.
"I've thought about that, but then again, if I think about it like that, then it'll be a distraction," Risher said. "I've got confidence in myself, and as long as my teammates have confidence in me, then I'll do exceptionally well."
Even head coach Randy Dunton has some questions about the 6-foot, 185-pounder. The most pressing one: Can Risher be a leader on a team that features six new players and only one proven scorer returning from a year ago in guard Larry Blair?
"He's still got to mature," Dunton said. "It's not about just showing up and playing. It's about a consistent commitment day in and day out to a preparation process at a championship level."
Dunton is confident Risher has the tools to succeed. He holds the career assist record at North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas, and he played in big-time games with big-name players. He played prep and summer basketball with former Kansas star Keith Langford and LaMarcus Aldridge, one of the most heralded recruits to sign at Texas in years.
"He's somebody who has the physical capabilities of being a strong guard," Dunton said. "He's got a great first step. He's got ball handling skills that allow him to face any pressure one-on-one and be creative enough to change pace inside out, cross over, and get the ball in the front court."
Risher flashed some of those credentials as a freshman. He scored 19 points in a tighter than expected win over Division III Shenandoah. He tied a season high with five rebounds against Old Dominion and was third on the team in 3-point shooting percentage. But when Woodson returned to the starting lineup in late December, Risher's minutes dwindled.
Even if Risher's freshman season ended with him playing a backup role, the early-season experience taught him how to perform in a challenging situation.
"I think I'm a lot better than last year," Risher said. "I've got a lot more confidence. All I can say, I guess, is we'll see when the season starts."
One thing Dunton admires about Risher is his competitiveness on the defensive end. Dunton calls Risher "a fighter," and Risher agreed that he's more of a defensive leader rather than an offensive weapon.
Risher will be looked upon to make plays, but he won't be the first option on offense. That responsibility goes to Blair then to Damien Hubbard, a Frederick (Md.) Community College transfer who will start at small forward.
Already, Risher has gained the confidence of his teammates with the way he locks down on the defensive end.
"He's a scrappy player who brings energy to the team," Blair said. "He brings toughness, which every team needs at the point guard position."
Risher calls the opportunity to start the season, which begins Nov. 18 at Virginia, "a tremendous blessing." And he's out to prove that on a team with a lot of question marks, he's not one of them.
"Risher's time is now - if he wants to seize it," Dunton said. "I've seen enough of Evan Risher to know he's capable of being as good a point guard as anybody's got in the Big South. We're dealing with a kid right now who we want to step up. He could be very, very good. He's a proven winner. Now it's time for him to do what he should do to serve this program."
www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA%2FMGArticle%2FLNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767893837&path=!sports
