back was hurting so bad. That's where all your powput on him. He played like he practiced.
er and explosion comes from. About a month ago, I
"It was probably not a surprise to those who have
got some of my explosion back."
been around him. He has handled situations in pracKoenig began turning the corner while serving
tice extremely well, whether he has been with the
on the scout team in practice. "That's when I really
scout team or with the regular rotation and that
started feeling good and I was playing like I used to
parlayed over to the game.
be able to play," he said. "When they put me in the
"I think he can do a lot for us," Gard said, "because
Green Bay game, I was defihis vision is so good and he's
nitely ready and I felt really
"...HIS VISION IS SO GOOD AND HE'S got a great feel for the game.
good."
He's so efficient with the ball,
GOT A GREAT FEEL FOR THE GAME," I mean the ball doesn't stick in
Koenig scored seven
points (3-for-3 from the
GARD SAID OF KOENIG. "HE'S SO EFFI- his hands, he moves it. He atfield) in 23 minutes at
CIENT WITH THE BALL ... HE ATTACKS tacks when he has to, and he
Green Bay. Since then, he
needs to."
has played 21, 27 and 17
Like all of the freshmen, he
WHEN HE HAS TO, AND HE NEEDS TO."
minutes while making 9 of
has been making an adjust13 field goals overall, including 4 of 6 from beyond
ment to a bench role. "It's different obviously from
the 3-point arc. He had a season-high 10 points
high school where you're used to starting," said
against Bowling Green.
Koenig. "You just have to stay focused and once your
On what he saw out of Koenig in Green Bay, Gard
name is called, you have to be ready.
said, "He was able to carry over what he had done in
"I can't clearly define it yet," he said of his role on
practice over the past three weeks in terms of court
the team. "But I'm fine with coming off the bench
presence, moxie, poise, whatever label you want to
and giving them everything I can ― whether it's
34
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VARSITY November 28, 2013
