John Angelus, basketball coach at the University of Chicago, may be the first coach in the 17-year history of NCAA Division III who is satisfied with his team`s size.
”We have a pretty big team this year,” said Angelus, whose team has started the season with three losses. ”If we can get the ball down the floor, we`ll be pretty effective.”
The Maroons are chasing Rochester, Division III national champion; Emory, which advanced to the Division III Sweet 16, and John Hopkins University in the six-team University Athletic Association. U. of C. is the only local member. ”We`re shooting for the middle of the conference,” Angelus said.
The Maroons, 6-15 overall and 3-11 in the league last season, don`t have a starter under 6 feet, no small accomplishment in Division III. The guards are 6-foot James Holcomb and 6-4 Matt Krapf, the forwards 6-4 James Horning and 6-5 Eric Chilenskas and the center 6-9 Barry Benge.
Coming off the bench are 6-8 center Chris Lavoie and 6-6 forward Ali Lejlic, both freshmen. Angelus said he could have used them last year against Ripon and others in conference play.
”We had to compete on the boards with those schools,” said Angelus, entering his 16th season as Maroons coach. ”They all have 6-8 or 6-9 players. Now we feel we have some of those problems solved.”
Krapf still leads the offense. The senior from Zion-Benton averaged 17 points last season.
”He`s a potent scorer off the dribble and from the perimeter,” Angelus said. ”But we`re trying to become more balanced.”
