UNI and Drake men have high enthusiasm for basketball

Senior center David Gruber says it is time for the U-N-I men’s basketball team to take the next step in the Missouri Valley Conference race. Gruber is one of five starters who return for third-year coach Greg McDermott. He says when “Coach Mac” first came they were at the bottom of the conference and are now trying to make a name for themselves by getting into the upper half of the conference, and into postseason play. Gruber says a summer trip to Australia was a benefit with six games that allowed the team to play together and jump start the season. Drake is a preseason pick for ninth under first-year coach Tom Davis. Bulldog junior Guard Lonnie Randolph says he enjoys playing for Davis. He says he can’t find anything negative to say about Davis thus far. He says there’s a lot more excitement about the program overall. Randolph says while demanding, Davis also has displayed a sense of humor. He says he’s a “short gray-haired white dude” who is just so funny, and says talking to Davis is like talking to one of the guys or a close friend.